Tucson could see as much as $100 million in new business sites across downtown in 2014 and up to $1 billion in the downtown corridor over the next 10 years, according to Michael Keith, CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership. He credits the foresight, planning and infrastructure investment in downtown by Cox Communications, Cox Business and other area utilities as major components of the renaissance.

"Cox Business has already invested millions of its own dollars installing 3.25 miles, or the length of 57 football fields, in 1G network downtown and is working with business owners, developers, architects and the city of Tucson to determine additional locations for its service expansion," explains Pam Crim, director of business sales, Cox Business-Southern Arizona. She adds, "Our partners have provided great insight to help us finalize our development calendar."

According to Keith, "The frenetic pace of new business development parallels the commitment by Cox and others that have supported the unprecedented investment along the Modern Streetcar corridor. There is a new emerging workforce in an urban center that is demanding faster data and expanded phone and video services, and Cox made an enormous capital investment to provide that service." He points to five new restaurants and clubs, new retail, a new boutique hotel, a 44-room luxury apartment building and a 300+ multifamily complex opening on the west side planned for early this year as evidence of the renaissance for which Cox Business helped lay the foundation.

City manager Richard Miranda appreciates that Cox Business is firmly committed to Tucson's growth. "Pam and the Cox Business team have been terrific partners. Tucson is better positioned to attract technology-driven businesses if we have reliable, scalable telecommunications infrastructure in place—and Cox Business is helping us expand our business-ready footprint," says Miranda.

Lisa Lovallo, Cox Southern Arizona Market vice president, board member and past chair of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, knows how important Tucson's urban core is to the success of the region. "Along with Cox, dozens of businesses have invested more than $280 million in downtown Tucson. The immediate and long-term impacts of these investments will position Tucson for stronger job growth and a more prosperous future."

Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 300,000 small and regional businesses, including healthcare providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division.

According to Vertical Systems Group, Cox Business is one of the largest providers of business Ethernet services in the U.S. based on customer ports, and has been consistently recognized for its leadership among small/midsize business data service providers. Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S. and supports one million phone lines.

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for seven years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.