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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Mormon Roots Give Mesa, Arizona An Advantage
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 28Apr00 D6
By Betty Beard: Arizona Republic
MESA, ARIZONA -- A study commissioned by the city of Mesa to help
lure new employers there credits the city's Mormon roots for it
strong work ethic and above average knowledge of a second language.
The study, by the Morristown, New Jersey company Wadley-Donovan
Group, points out that the city has more bachelors degrees per capita
and higher ACT scores than neighboring Phoenix suburbs like
Scottsdale and Gilbert.
Mesa's economic development director Richard Mulligan says the
study's results were not a surprise. "We've known this all along. We
wanted third-party, independent confirmation," he said. The study was
based on a survey of major employers in the Phoenix area. The city's
share of the bill for the study was about $17,000.
The study also says that the 10 to 11 percent of the city that are
members of the LDS Church is the reason why the city has an above
average knowledge of a second language. According to Mulligan, a
number of CEOs have told them that this is an important advantage.
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