he economic dynamism that is taking place in the northeast of Mexico is marked by competitiveness, and Sonora, as part of this region, gives the development and technological innovation to stand as a highly competitive and attractive state for investment.
   One of its current strengths is the recent construction beginning of STAADIS, Technological Venue for Automotive and Aerospace Research and Development of Sonora, in coordination between the State Government and Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Sonora Norte.
   STAADIS's objective is to enhance the competitiveness of Sonora's automotive and aerospace industries, and it will actively participate in the development of local suppliers of levels 2 and 3 for both industries.
   This Technological Venue will allow Sonora to compete with a differentiated value in its promotion in respect to other states of Mexico, as an additional advantage for investment.
   Sonora is a modern state with an ample and diversified economy. The state of Sonora has a well-developed communication network, allowing an easy and cost effective transfer of products through 5 international airports, a highway infrastructure of more than 22,500 miles, 1,250 miles of railroad tracks, 6 ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border and a deep sea port. Sonora has an outstanding infrastructure with its 43 industrial parks in 17 different cities, 10 power plants with a generating capacity of 2020 MW, 16" natural gas pipeline extending up to 211 miles and its modern fiber optics and satellite system.
   Its main economic sectors, which employ approximately 90 percent of its economically active population, are automotive, aerospace, electronics, food industry, medical, metal-mechanics, commerce and services.
   The main industry in Sonora is the automotive industry, which 22 years ago found in Sonora fertile ground to develop its installed capacities. Today the automotive cluster is integrated by 43 companies including the Ford Motor Company assembly plant with a production capacity of 1,064 vehicles per day. The processes that give strength to this industry are metal stamping, plastic injection, precision machining, as well as general assembly lines that local and foreign companies take advantage of by using human capital existing in our region. There is no doubt that the quality of the Sonoran workforce has been the key to the success of Ford and its supplier companies in Sonora, which is backed up by their many recognitions and awards received for their products throughout their short but successful history.
   Part of the success obtained in this sector is the creation of the STAADIS (Technological Venue for Automotive and Aerospace Research and Development of Sonora), which places Sonora at the forefront of these sectors and makes our region become more competitive. Among the main automotive companies we find: Ford Motor Company, Magna, Lear, Faurecia, Martinrea, Flex-N-Gate, Takata, Delphi, Leoni, Decoma, Benteler, Tyco, Grupo Antolín, and HBPO.
   Sonora currently has 31 companies of aerospace manufacturing. The aerospace manufacturing cluster of the state is distinguished by its high level of integration in the machining of metallic components. The availability of companies with secondary chemical processes and heat treating capabilities in the area makes this industrial activity highly convenient.
   Among the main metallic products we have blades, rings and a great variety of middle to small size components for different parts of the turbine. This sector in Sonora also stands out in the manufacturing and assembly of different electronic components: harnesses for different sections of the aircraft, sensors, measuring systems, connectors, etc.
   The city of Nogales, Sonora is home to the first manufacturing company of composite components in Mexico. This kind of component is integrated in a higher percentage into modern aircrafts due to its resistance and low weight.
   Some of the companies operating in our entity today are: Ducommun Aerostructures, Horst Engineering, ITT, Radiall, Daher Aerospace, Arrow Electronics Inc., Goodrich, Chem Research, Paradigm Precision and BAE System.
   The local metal mechanic industry is a supplier for national and international companies; it has the capacity to supply industries like the automotive, aerospace and electric-electronics. Some of the processes done in the industry include: CNC machining, sheet metal manufacturing and design (stamping, punching, bending, cutting, welding); the main established companies are: Master Lock, Weiser Lock, Otis Elevator, Thermadyne, New Tech Machinery, among others, mainly located in Hermosillo, Nogales, Guaymas and Empalme.
   The state government provides companies with incentives which include fiscal and non-fiscal benefits tailored to the needs of each company. Manufacturing and operating costs, wages, infrastructure, transportation, and basic services are very competitive.
   The Soft Landing program offers cost-free fully equipped offices to the investors on a temporary basis to set up operations in Sonora. Sonora's Economic Development Council provides business meeting arrangements, linkage between three levels of government, job training assistance, labor market analysis, employee recruitment assistance, as well as finding the adequate site and location.
   Furthermore, the State of Sonora offers the entrepreneur an excellent quality of life. Sonora ranks among the top 5 states in Mexico to live in with its beautiful sea, desert and mountain landscape. All the amenities of a modern state such as shopping malls, nightclubs, international cuisine, five star hotels and spa resorts, world class local golf courses, country clubs and excellent medical services can be found all over the state.