An innovative grant assistance center launched by Local First Arizona has helped rural communities, Tribal Nations and nonprofits across the state win more than $116 million in grant funding. But recent federal government grant cancellations and illegal funding freezes threaten to crush new jobs and economic revitalization that Arizona communities were counting on. The … [More]
Phoenix’s Build-to-Rent Surge: A 309% Increase over the Last 5 Years
Phoenix, Arizona, has emerged as a national leader in the build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector, reflecting a significant shift in the local real estate landscape. In 2023, the Phoenix metropolitan area completed over 4,000 BTR units, marking a 10-year high and solidifying its position at the forefront of this trend. Here, we highlight some of the key findings from the latest … [More]
Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for Axon Campus Project
A new poll shows that Arizona voters overwhelmingly support Axon's proposed international headquarters project and legislation to boost economic development through campus-based housing, and that includes voters in Scottsdale. According to a Cygnal poll of likely general election voters, three-in-four (75%) of Arizona voters—including 79% of Republicans, 76% of … [More]
74% of Import-Reliant U.S. Companies Plan to Hike Prices in Response to New Tariffs
Most increases expected by mid-2025; companies also freezing hiring, delaying raises, and cutting jobs
A new survey from ResumeTemplates.com finds that nearly three-quarters (74%) of U.S. companies that rely on imports plan to raise prices following the sweeping tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2, 2025. The survey, which polled 735 business leaders, indicates that most price hikes will take effect before the end of Q2 — and that consumers aren’t the only ones likely … [More]
1 in 5 Homebuyers Expect to Sell Stocks to Fund Down Payment in Time of Uncertainty
One in five (20%) prospective homebuyers expect to sell stocks to help fund their next down payment, according to a new survey from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. When it comes to people who own homes, roughly one in eight (13%) homeowners report selling stocks to help fund their down payment. One in 10 (10%) homeowners have sold … [More]
Small Business Optimism Slips
Main Street continues to ank taxes as a top business issue
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined by 3.3 points in March to 97.4, falling just below the 51-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index decreased eight points from February’s second highest reading to 96. “The implementation of new policy priorities has heightened the level of uncertainty among small business owners over the past few months.” said NFIB Chief … [More]
NFIB Poll Shows Strong Support for 20% Small Business Deduction
A new poll released yesterday by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, shows broad, bipartisan support for America’s small businesses along with overwhelming support for keeping the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction in the tax code. ““Small businesses account for 99.5% of all businesses in Arizona … [More]
Latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard Findings Announced
The Greater Phoenix Chamber and BOK Financial have released the latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard findings. This enhanced tool provides access to real-time, interactive data updates on Arizona’s ever-changing economic landscape. The public can access detailed insights into key indicators such as unemployment, GDP, job projections, population changes, average income, … [More]
Arizona Homeowners Faced 48% Increase in Homeowners Insurance Premiums over the Past Three Years
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has released a new report that shows American homeowners saw their insurance premiums increase by an average of 24% over the past three years. Nationally, CFA found homeowners saw their insurance premiums rise twice as fast as inflation between 2021 and 2024, which amounts to a $21 billion total price hike for Americans. However, CFA … [More]
Small Businesses Actively Hiring for Current Vacancies
Labor quality remains a challenge for small businesses as job openings persist
NFIB’s March jobs report found that 40% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in March, up two points from February. A seasonally adjusted net 12% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down three points from February. The last time hiring plans were this low was in April 2024. “With qualified workers in … [More]
Insatiable Demand Keeps Metro Phoenix Third in U.S. Data Center Absorption
In a year where data centers faced their toughest power challenges yet, the industry didn’t just survive – it thrived. JLL’s new North America Data Center Year-End 2024 Report reveals a sector charging full speed ahead, with metro Phoenix remaining a top choice based on its location, infrastructure and cost. The market’s current inventory of 804 MW is also about to skyrocket, … [More]
Spring Inventory Blooms, but Buyers Remain Cautious amid Economic Uncertainty
The U.S. housing market saw signs of continued recovery this spring, with more homes hitting the market and total inventory rising for the 17th straight month, according to the March Housing Trends Report from Realtor.com®. However, rising price drops and slipping pending home sales suggest that buyers are proceeding with caution, likely due to current economic unknowns and … [More]
ASU: Exceeding Great Expectations in Downtown Mesa
In just over 2 years, ASU and city of Mesa’s MIX Center partnership has made downtown the place to live, work and play
Anyone visiting downtown Mesa over the past couple of years has a lot to rave about: The bevy of restaurants, unique local shops, entertainment venues and inviting spaces that beg for attention from pedestrians soaking up urban ambiance or families gathering on lush greenery to watch movies projected onto an outdoor screen. However, Bob Nelson, longtime downtown Mesa … [More]
Private Equity Trends Business Owners Should Watch in 2025
Key factors shaping investment strategies
For business owners considering a capital partner or an eventual exit, understanding the trends shaping the private equity (PE) market is crucial. With more than 4,500 private equity firms in the U.S. — nearly as many as the total number of companies traded on the NYSE and Nasdaq combined — there are more options than ever when it comes to choosing the right partner. However, … [More]
VCs Favor Startups with Media Coverage
Build momentum through strategic media engagement
Startup funding in January 2025 reached $10.1 billion, reflecting an 8.3% year-over-year increase but a 12.5% drop from the previous month — clear evidence that securing venture capital remains an uphill battle. While the IPO market may rebound in the upcoming moths, experts caution that it will take time for capital to flow back into VC funding. In this environment, startups … [More]
Arizona’s International Trade Reaches Record Levels
Growing international partnerships lead to historic job numbers, investment in Arizona
International trade and investment continue to fuel new economic opportunities across Arizona, new data shows. Arizona’s international trade reached a record $74.4 billion in 2024, Governor Hobbs announced during her International State of the State Address on Thursday. Exports by Arizona companies rose to $32.2 billion, an 11.6% increase from 2023, and more than five times … [More]
Home Prices Remain Near Record High, Metro Phoenix Unaffordable
ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property data, and real estate analytics, today released its first-quarter 2025 U.S. Home Affordability Report showing that median-priced single-family homes and condos remain less affordable in the first quarter of 2025 compared to historical averages in 97 percent of counties around the nation with enough data to analyze. The latest trend … [More]
Fewer Multifamily Permits Today Could Mean Costlier Rents Ahead
Rents have been on a decline in the top 50 metros for over a year, but low multifamily permitting activity is making way for higher rent prices, according to the Realtor.com® February rent report. In fact, within the top 50 metros only 294,000 multifamily units were permitted in 2024, which is well below the 318,000 units permitted at the peak of the pandemic in … [More]
