The Regional Partnering Center (RPC), a 501(c)(3), was established by the Pima Association of Governments Regional Council in 2014, to advance policies, practices and solutions to regional planning, environmental and energy challenges in Pima County through research and educational outreach with the goal of developing programs for their solution or management.
The RPC launched a Smart Region Southern Arizona initiative to create a place where people discover unlimited opportunities to achieve economic well-being.
Six key areas of focus include: shared regional vision, advanced communications infrastructure, modernized transportation system, resilience of infrastructure, strategic talent alignment and water reliability.
In support of the RPC’s initiative, Pima Association of Governments recently conducted a Regional Assessment of Advanced Communications Infrastructure to evaluate current broadband offerings, understand current uses and limits, and identify opportunities for expansion of the infrastructure to enable economic development and regional growth using broadband.
Also working through a memorandum of understanding with Pima Association of Governments, the RPC established the Sabino Canyon Crawler electric shuttle system in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Tucson Electric Power provided capital investment for the electric shuttles and electric utility work related to the infrastructure improvements to operate and maintain the electric vehicle system.
The RPC has a permit through the U.S. Forest Service to operate the Sabino Canyon Crawler service, including the electric shuttle service to Sabino Canyon. Additional shuttle service is available to Bear Canyon. The RPC contracts with National Express/Total Ride to operate the vehicles.
