By Linda Kor The Center for the Future of Arizona, a non-profit organization that focuses on issues and topics critical to the state, has unveiled a report titled Vision 2025: Arizona Comes of Age that provides insight into the state’s current condition and details its future needs. The report shows that despite the size of our economy, the Arizona’s productivity is declining in ways that impact our economic competitiveness, falling below the national average. One reason cited is that the state is losing its middle-aged population as Arizonans become younger and older than the national averages. It indicates that nearly two-thirds of Arizonans were born elsewhere, meaning that they have ties elsewhere that make it easier to leave if better job opportunities arise in another area. The report also shows that Latinos will become the majority population in Arizona by 2028. A key factor in creating strong communities and a viable economy is engagement, and the report shows that Arizona citizens are not as fully engaged as they need to be. Across the state, civic participation rates are in the bottom quartile on most indicators tracked by the Civic Health Index; with confidence in government and other institutions weakening. The most comprehensive Gallup Arizona Poll in the state’s history was conducted in 2014 and revealed that while citizens are deeply connected to the state as a “place” to live, they do not feel connected to one another. Arizonans rank low overall in comparison with other states when it comes to volunteering regularly, attending public meetings, working with neighbors to fix something, belonging to an organization or involvement with political activities. Few Arizonans felt the people in their community care about one another or interact on a meaningful level. The figures show that only 27 percent of Arizona’s registered voters participated in the 2014 primary, the lowest turnout in more than 50 years. That means that our elected officials are voted into office by only a small portion of the potential voting power. The report notes that currently, one in five Arizonans live in poverty, and over the past two decades, the per capita income has slipped to just over 80 percent of the national average. As a result, far more children are living in lower-income neighborhoods than in more affluent ones. They make up a much larger percentage of the state’s potential workforce, and are key to Arizona’s prosperity and economic competitiveness in the future. Indicators show that by 2020, 35 percent of Arizona’s job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree, 30 percent will require some college and 36 percent will not require training beyond a high school diploma. Currently, Arizona is fairly well positioned for the mid-skill level job market that requires some college, an associate’s degree or industry certification. But that field is also vulnerable if new innovations make it possible for technology to substitute human labor or for outsourcing overseas. According to the Arizona Board of Regents, while 66 percent of Arizona’s university graduates find jobs in the state immediately after graduation, 20 years later only 35 percent are still working here. In contrast, 85 percent of community college students remain in Arizona throughout their working lives. Regarding resources, water is a top concern, but there is some good news. Arizonans have become conservative in their water use, with water use today no higher than it was in 1957 when the state’s population was less than one-sixth of today’s numbers. The challenges faced by the state are that the Colorado River, in-state lakes and reservoirs, and groundwater supplies are all shrinking. A critical concern in this matter is forest and watershed management. The Gallup Poll also produced what the center believes are the common goals of its citizens. They include caring for the economy, quality jobs for all Arizonans, preparing Arizonans of all ages for the 21st century workforce, caring for one another, making Arizona “the place to be” for talented young people and health insurance for all, with payment assistance for those who need it. Other priorities include the protection of the state’s natural environment, water supplies and open spaces, and the empowerment of citizens and increased civic engagement. In reviewing the issues facing the state and the concerns of its citizens, the center noted three primary goals to prepare Arizona for the future, including increasing the responsiveness of government and other leaders to citizen goals. The rapidly changing demographics of Arizona make it the perfect “laboratory for democracy” notes the report, adding that it creates a unique opportunity to model innovative ways to bring citizens and leaders together around a shared roadmap and common purpose. The second goal is to develop community-based exchanges that empower local efforts and create a collective voice in the state for all citizen goals. Arizonans may feel powerless to have an impact on state or federal decisions, but the barriers are not so high at the local level. The community exchanges will provide a platform for identifying opportunities to further connect people, identifying successful community models and providing information. The third goal noted in the report is to encourage young talent to come, stay and be participants in Arizona. Millennials (19 to 34-year olds) represent 35 percent of the state’s working age population. To read the full Vision 2025: Arizona Comes of Age report, go online to www.arizonafuture.org.