TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Somos Uno is a cultural preservation initiative that is working to emphasize the food, music, history, and more that make Tucson, Tucson.

First, the initiative needed to look at data to see what the city’s “cultural ecosystem” is right now.

Since she took office, Somos Uno has been an undertaking of Mayor Regina Romero and she said she’s been excited to get started.

“It’s like that dream project that has been on my whiteboard forever,” Romero said.

Unique food, events, and art are just a part of Tucson, but until now, its impact on the local economy hasn’t been known.

“We all instinctively know how valuable our history, our arts, our culture, our festivals are, right? But looking at the $4 billion creation of funds,” Romero said, “is validating to be able to present it to our colleagues on the council and to the community.”

On top of the billions coming into the city, art history and culture contribute 52,000 jobs, primarily through non-profits and independent businesses.

“The city of Tucson proper does not have a really defined direction and strategy to be able to not just contribute additional funds but also really help arts and culture thrive and grow in our city,” Romero said.

So now with those numbers, they’re working on a plan to give back to the culture.

“So what is it that we’re going to do as a city to be able to organize ourselves better, contribute additional funds to the effort, and make this industry grow even more,” Romero said.

You can take a look at the full culture report and find out how to give additional input HERE.

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