But it’s not an either/or situation where resources should be dedicated to the country that does more for the state or a region, officials said. Instead, they said, it’s about learning how these countries contribute the most to Arizona’s economy and directing efforts accordingly.

“For Arizona to grow, you have to make decisions based not on who yells the loudest or what proximity is, but what does the data show us,” Williamson said.

Last year, the Maricopa Association of Governments and the Canada Arizona Business Council set out to compile a list of international companies doing business in the state.

Pima County officials said they are building off that list and are in the process of compiling data on all the Canadian companies operating in the county.

“That gives us an advantage in terms of trying to make sure that we’re doing outreach with them and seeing if there’s opportunities for other Southern Arizona companies that might fall into their supply chain,” Cavanaugh said.