Housing is a perennial hot topic. Whether analyzed from an economic development standpoint or spotlighted as an aspect of social issues, it is always a sector that is recognized as impacting the broad community.
The housing and residential real estate sector is a major contributor to Arizona’s economy, driving growth and development. Arizona consistently ranks among the top states for new home construction, fueled by a rapidly growing population and strong in-migration. This demand generates significant employment opportunities in construction, development and related industries while boosting local economies through increased consumer spending. The sector also contributes substantial state and local tax revenues, which fund essential public services such as education and infrastructure. Housing is a fundamental component of Arizona’s resilient economy, enabling continued growth across all sectors.
I’m also pleased to contribute to the cover story this month, which explores the current market and development for the various housing products, from affordable multifamily to luxury single family, as Arizona sees continued record population growth. Developers and homebuilders also discuss such factors as supply chain and workforce issues along with geographic and financial determinants.
Finance is one of the underlying concerns in this month’s feature article, “The Trump Administration’s Impact on AI and Digital Assets,” by David McCarville. An attorney at Fennemore and an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where he teaches a course on blockchain and cryptocurrency law, McCarvill offers his insights for business decision makers.
Kim Ryder, president of Thrive Real Estate Services and Government Relations, debuts her recurring column on CRE topics this month with her feature “Construction Costs in Commercial Real Estate: A 2025 Outlook.”
DEI has been going in and out of favor, but this month’s Roundtable feature delves much deeper into that discussion. Shari Dunn, in his excerpt from her book “Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work,” which will be released this month, provides thought-provoking insights into the practice of “competency checking,” which, she explains, “unjustly scrutinizes Black people and other people of color, forcing them to repeatedly prove their worth, intelligence, and even their right to be in the workplace.”
And, of course, the regular monthly content ranging from healthcare to our growing semiconductor industry fills every edition of In Business Magazine with information relevant to business in our community.
I’m pleased to help bring you this February edition of In Business Magazine, and hope you enjoy the read.
Sincerely,
Greg Vogel
Founder and CEO
Land Advisors Organization
Since founding Land Advisors Organization in 1987, Greg Vogel has applied his unique knowledge in the areas of land economics, land use and market trends to become a trusted advisor and broker to a broad spectrum of clients including financial institutions, investors, homebuilders and master planned community developers.
Vogel received his B.S. in Real Estate from Arizona State University in 1985. Within the Urban Land Institute, he is a governor, past trustee, past chair of the Community Development Council (BlueFlight) and past ULI Foundation Board of Directors member.
