JUNE 2023 ISSUE

Tourism & Taxation: How the Bed Tax and Major Events Benefit Business
“As Greater Phoenix continues to evolve, the visitor industry for our destination continues to grow,” says Eric Kerr, vice president of Insights and Development for the convention and visitor bureau Visit Phoenix. He cites the fact that, since 2020, 46 new hotel properties have opened in the region with more than 7,600 hotel rooms. Additionally, Sky Harbor … [More]

Lisa Urias, Arizona Office of Tourism
Arizona is seeing a population surge as people continue to choose our state as their home. But our popularity as a visitor destination is equally robust, with Maricopa County offering one of the strongest pipelines of new hotels and resorts in the country. The Arizona Office of Tourism and other Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) such as Visit Phoenix, … [More]
TOP STORIES

Helios Education Foundation Grants $950K to Education and Workforce Initiative
The Helios Education Foundation awarded a $950,000 grant over two years to the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s (the Foundation) education initiative, ElevateEdAZ, to help expand dual enrollment. ElevateEdAZ works to align education to workforce learning pathways with the needs of Arizona’s leading industries. The primary objectives include increasing the number … [More]

Supply Shortage Worsens, Propping Up Prices as Phoenix Home-Sale Prices Decline 7.9%
New listings of homes for sale fell 25% year over year to their lowest level of any early June on record. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage, which analyzed new listings of homes for sale during the four weeks ending June 4. The continued lack of new listings has pushed the total number of homes on the market … [More]

Arizona Wins Third Consecutive Gold Shovel Award; TSMC’s $40B Investment in Phoenix Wins ‘Manufacturing Project of the Year’
Arizona was awarded a prestigious “Gold Shovel” award from Area Development Magazine in the 6-10 million population category, marking the state’s third consecutive gold shovel. Considering economic development projects that were announced, commenced construction or operations in 2022, the Shovel Awards recognize states that “garnered large job-creating and investment … [More]

ASU to Launch Medical School
The Arizona Board of Regents has asked Arizona State University to expand medical education in Arizona by launching a new medical school, one charged with addressing the significant and growing health care needs of the state. The new ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering will integrate clinical medicine, biomedical science and … [More]
FEATURED STORIES

Sound Design Co. Launches Soundscapes Library for Wellness in the Workplace
Spatial, a leading provider of immersive sound solutions, launched their soundscapes library designed for wellness in the workplace and commercial environments. With years of experience, Spatial's team of in-house sound designers in collaboration with creative content experts have curated a comprehensive collection of targeted soundscapes that cater to a wide range of … [More]

Adding Color and Curb Appeal to Arizona Development
As the development of multi-family housing skyrockets in Arizona, we risk creating a desert skyline of monolithic, monochromatic and cold structures. Sixteen thousand new apartments are in the pipeline, and more are coming. The current administration and Congress have earmarked tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to attract tech, higher ed and other businesses … [More]

Selling Your Business? These CEO Qualities Drive Strong Private Equity Partnerships
For many founders looking to sell the business they’ve spent years building, partnering with a private equity firm is the best path forward. For founders considering this course of action, it’s essential to know what private equity firms look for in a CEO or management team they are considering backing. While elements like investment criteria will vary by firm, some … [More]
HOT TOPICS

Arizona-Based Autism Provider Opens New Clinic Offering Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy in Gilbert
In a move that will improve access to in-demand autism care for Arizona families, Axis for Autism has launched applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy … [More]

Local Breakfast Concept to Open Eleventh Valley Location
Local breakfast restaurant Over Easy announced the opening of its newest location in Chandler. The new 3,000 square foot restaurant is set to open its … [More]

Vestar Commences Construction at The Shops at Lake Pleasant in Peoria
Vestar, the largest privately held shopping center owner and manager in the western United States is proud to announce construction has begun on The … [More]

Tower Capital Announces $120.5M in Financing for Two Build-to-Rent Communities in Phoenix Market
Tower Capital, one of the nation’s leading structured finance firms in the commercial real estate lending space, arranged $120.5 million in financing … [More]

EPA Awards UArizona $10M for New Environmental Justice Center
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $10 million to the University of Arizona to fund the Western Environmental Science Technical … [More]

Phoenix-Based Capital Equipment Co. Sets New Industry Standard for Semiconductor Manufacturing
CollabraTech Solutions, a full-service capital equipment company, has announced the latest evolution of its Liquid Chemical Delivery System, which … [More]
LIVE AND LEARN

Miraval Resorts & Spas Launches Miraval Life in Balance Podcast
As a pioneer in destination wellness spa resorts for nearly 30 years, Miraval Resorts & Spas brings its core intention of empowering people to lead their best lives to the podcast space with today’s launch of Miraval Life in Balance. The first podcast from the Miraval brand aims to guide audiences to cultivate wellness, intention and inspiration from anywhere in … [More]

Aliens from Outer Space: The Children’s Exhibit at Herberger Theatre Center
The Herberger Theater Center is excited to once again partner with First Things First for its ninth annual children’s art exhibit that showcases the artistic and creative abilities of young children. This year’s theme, Aliens & Outer Space, showcases the imagination and creativity of children, ages 2 to 5, challenging them to think outside the box. Many of the … [More]

Summer Camp Isn’t Just for Kids Anymore: The Phoenix Theatre Company Offers Adult Dance Classes
Summer camp is traditionally something for kids, but at The Phoenix Theatre Company, adults are invited to a special kind of summer experience: Summer of Dance. It’s eight weeks of dance classes for people at all skill levels, ages 15 to 80 years old. Professional choreographers teach a variety of classes four nights a week from June 5 through July 27. This is the … [More]
PHILANTHROPY

Fresh Start to Expand Services for Women of Color through $1.3M Investment from JPMorgan Chase
Through a $1.3-million commitment from JPMorgan Chase to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, the local nonprofit will provide expanded resources and support directly to women of color … [More]

Amazon Donation to Provide Shoes to Maricopa County Homeless
Amazon has donated 640 pairs of tennis shoes and sandals to Phoenix-based Circle the City that will be distributed to people facing homelessness in Maricopa County as a way to … [More]

Vitalyst Health Foundation Announces $700,000 in Grants
The Vitalyst Health Foundation Board of Trustees has approved $700,000 for four Systems Change Grants. The grants, each worth $175,000 over three years, are part of the … [More]
POSITIONS

Benefits Co. Names Two New Hires, Advancing One-on-One Model
Employee benefits consulting firm Strunk Insurance Group has announced two new hires in the recent months. Strunk has appointed Joe Marquez as their new Vice President of Employee … [More]

Governor Hobbs Names New Chief of Staff
Governor Hobbs announced that Chad Campbell, former House Democratic Leader and longtime public affairs and policy consultant, will become chief of staff to the governor on Monday, … [More]

Father-Son Team Joins LPL Financial to Launch Scottsdale-Based Advisory Firm
LPL Financial LLC announced that financial advisors Larry Lytle and Zach Lytle have launched an independent practice, Wiser Advisor Group, LLC, and joined LPL Financial’s … [More]
ACHIEVEMENTS

Arizona Commerce Authority Wins Inaugural Economic Development Award
With more than $60 billion announced since 2020, Arizona leads the nation in investment from the semiconductor industry, with further growth on the horizon. The state also has … [More]

Entrepreneur Event Celebrates Ambitious Entrepreneurs Who Are Building Bolder Futures
Ernst & Young LLP announced that Chris Loeffler, Chief Executive Officer of CaliberCos Inc. (Caliber) was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 Pacific Southwest Award … [More]

Scottsdale-Based Luxury Homebuilder Earns Coveted Gold Nugget Honors
It’s award season, and Camelot Homes has learned they are a Gold Nugget Award (GNA) of Merit winner in four categories of the 2023 Gold Nugget Awards. The annual competition honors … [More]