The well-known voice in Pinal County hopes his new role will bring job opportunities, income and fun to Maricopa.
Tony Smith was appointed to the Southern Arizona Department of Sports, Tourism and Film by former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers. Maricopa and Pinal counties are considered Southern Arizona for this commission.
Smith is a former mayor of Maricopa and a former member of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors.
The institution was set up by Congress last year to promote economic development through tourism, with sports, cinema and other entertainment venues. Southern Arizona has had a rich history of movies and professional sports. These industries have moved away over the last 20 years. Some of the agency’s early projects are working to revive them.
Smith plans to scour Maricopa for new tourism and venue opportunities in hopes of increasing regional and national draw to the county during his five-year term.
“We will continue to work with local mayors, city council members and economic development groups to find ways to improve Pinal County,” Smith said. “I want to take it to the next level.”
Smith focuses on the Apex Motor Club facilities and Maricopa’s Regional Park, Copper Sky. He said these facilities will only expand as the city continues to grow.
“They’re going to remodel. I think they have bigger plans to bring higher level sports to the county,” Smith said. “Possible professional partnerships with some sports teams. may interject.”
Officials are interested in partnering with Maricopa to advance these ideas, Smith said.
“We want to see if there’s a role we can play, like removing obstacles that might be holding back our success or helping with marketing and promotion,” Smith said.
Facilities like Apex are great resources for filming commercials and attracting out-of-towners. Copper Sky has endless possibilities for hosting events, concerts and festivals, he added. Smith also mentioned Maricopa’s salsa to improve his festival and make it bigger and more sustainable in the years to come.
“We’re trying to figure out, how can we get people to stay in our hotel? Eat at our restaurant?” Smith said.
Increasing visitor stays and spending will only benefit the city, creating more jobs and growth, Smith said.
It may not be well known, but Pinal County has been featured in several Hollywood movies.
“There is a lot of interest in the beauty of Pinal County and our landscape as film locations,” Smith said. “And we have many other venues you might not think of.”
Smith, who is also president and CEO of Pinal Partnership, said working with the two entities is mutually beneficial.
“I travel around the county a lot,” said Smith. “I am an easy person to contact and I can understand who my contacts are in Pinal County.
Authorities represent six counties in southern Arizona: Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz. The Steering Committee is made up of 13 members, including one county representative, three Native American tribal representatives, and four filmmaking, tourism, sports, and economic development professionals.
Appointments are made by the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, the Governor, and the Speaker of the State Senate.
“We are all excited about the economic impact this could have to generate tax revenue, support schools and business communities, and provide workforce opportunities for those who want to participate in the fun activities of tourism. I will,” said Smith.
