TUCSON—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 could be a part of Tucson's growth cycle, 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.

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-plus multifamily complex opening on the west side planned for early this year as evidence of the renaissance.