Innovation Frontier Arizona (IFA) is a newly created Southern Arizona iniative to align education, workforce development and economic development with the needs of the region's industries. 
 
IFA is fueled by a $5 million award by the United States Department of Labor and is part of DOL's WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Initiative.  The grant was successfully obtained by Governor Napolitano and is administered through a colloborative effort between Pima County and the Arizona Department of Commerce.

The region possesses a high number of quality jobs in aerospace-defense and information technology industries. These jobs include senior scientists, engineers, technicians and information and intelligence technologists. Innovation Frontier Arizona aims to make sure workers receive appropriate training to keep up with technology and students graduate with the math and science knowledge necessary to enter and support these industries.

First Quarter Report (PDF)
Second Quarter Report (PDF)
NEW! Third Quarter (PDF)
NEW! Implementation Plan (PDF) - this plan has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.

News Releases/Print Coverage:

Nov. 27, 2007 - Governor Launches 'Innovation Frontier Arizona'
Nov. 27, 2007 - Southern Arizona’s Innovation Frontier WIRED region hosts kickoff event
Nov. 28, 2007 - Arizona Daily Star: $5M U.S. grant to help train for S. AZ tech jobs
Nov. 28, 2007 - Tucson Citizen: $5M grant awarded to improve economy

Websites:

Arizona Office of the Governor
U.S. Department of Labor WIRED website

- Aerospace, Manufacturing, & Information Technology cluster (AMIT)
- Arizona Department of Commerce
- Arizona State University
- Arizona Western College
- Cochise Community College
- Cochise County Workforce Development
- Corporation for a Skilled Workforce
- Douglas Unified School District
- ECIII
- Economic Blueprint Committee
- ETA/U.S. Department of Labor
- Evergreen Air Center
- General Dynamics
- Governor’s Council on Workforce Policy
- Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
- Joint Alliance of Companies Managing Education for Technology (JACMET)
- Loyola Associates
- ManTech Telecommunications & Information Systems Corp.
- Northern Arizona University
- Northrop Grumman
- Pima Community College
- Pima County Board of Supervisors
- Pima County Joint Technological Education District
- Pima County ONESTOP Career Center
- Pima County Workforce Investment Board
- Raytheon
- Santa Cruz County
- Santa Cruz County One Stop
- Sheila Murphy Associates
- Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation
- Sierra Vista Public Schools
- Southern Arizona Leadership Council
- Southern Arizona Logistics Education Organization
- Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
- Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities
- Tucson Unified School District
- U.S. Border Patrol
- University of Arizona
- Yuma County School Superintendent
- Yuma Private Industry Council