Americans are losing trust in institutions and expressing deep dissatisfaction with the state of U.S. leadership across nearly every facet of society, according to a new poll published by U.S. News & World Report and conducted in April of 2025 by The Harris Poll. The survey explored Americans’ views of leadership in public service, business, education and … [More]
YTD Property Values: Arizona Ranks among Worst Performing States
Experts at Portland Real Estate analyzed house prices data across all 50 U.S. states to show which ones had the most substantial property value changes between January and June 2025. Top 10 states with the highest house price increase Rank State Median price in January Median price in … [More]
Small Business Optimism Rises Slightly in July as Businesses Look to Expand
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52-year average of 98. Contributing most to the rise in the Optimism Index were respondents reporting better business conditions and reporting that it is a good time to expand. In contrast to the Optimism Index, the Uncertainty Index increased by eight points from June to 97. Twenty-one … [More]
Used EV Share Rises on Expanded Inventory, SUVs Drive Growth
Carvana Co., an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, released an EV Trends Report, highlighting continued momentum in battery electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) (together, “electrified vehicles”) adoption. The report shows electrified vehicles now 9% of Carvana’s retail unit sales, with SUV models driving much of the growth in recent … [More]
Phoenix Identified as Strategic Growth Market by National Construction Co.
National general contractor, JE Dunn Construction, has identified Phoenix as a strategic growth market for its Advanced Facilities Group (AFG), citing surging demand for mission critical, semiconductor and industrial facilities. To spearhead regional growth and further expand its semiconductor and industrial capabilities in the Southwest, the company has hired veteran Dave … [More]
Small Changes, Big Impact: Low-Cost Ways to Support Employees through Inflation
As inflation headlines re-emerge, many employers are contemplating shifts in their remote and hybrid work policies. Organizations are working hard to balance two competing priorities: being sensitive to the financial pressures employees are facing, while also managing budgets and controlling costs to maintain sustainable business practices, all while ensuring the culture of the … [More]
Income Needed to Buy a Home Declines, Phoenix Drops Nearly 2%
Homebuyers need to earn $112,131 per year to afford the $447,035 median priced U.S. home, little changed (+0.5%) from a year ago. But in 11 of the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas, the income needed to afford a home has declined. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. The income needed to afford a home is falling in … [More]
Pandemic Boom States See Dip, Average Valley Home Price Down More Than $5K
Florida's housing market has dropped in value more than any other state according to a new study, with property values dropping $8,797 in just 12 months. The analysis by cash buying firm PPS House Buyers examined Zillow's housing data from spring 2024 to March 2025. This was used to uncover which states suffered the steepest declines in home values. The five states with … [More]
Generational Divide Shapes Customer Service Expectations, Survey Reveals
Nearly half of U.S. shoppers say customer service provided by businesses is getting worse, according to results from the latest GoDaddy Consumer Pulse survey* – yet Gen Z and Millennials remain more upbeat than their parents' generations. According to GoDaddy's survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers, only 20% of respondents say customer service has improved recently, compared to 42% … [More]
Stable Power Supply Positions Arizona as a Prime Market for EVs and Industry Expansion
A new study has revealed the US states least likely to experience a power cut with Arizona placing joint fifth. The study by Texas Electricity Ratings researched power reliability across all U.S. states plus Washington D.C. The analysis examined three main factors which included blackout length (SAIDI), how often they occurred (SAIFI), and repair times (CAIDI). These were then … [More]
July Job Openings Hit Lowest Levels since 2020
NFIB’s July jobs report found that 33% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in July, down three points from June and the lowest level since December 2020, though still well above the monthly historical average of 25%. In fact, 21% of small business owners cited labor quality as their single most important problem in July, up … [More]
Steel Tariffs and Building Certainty in an Uncertain Market
As a second-generation Arizona steel fabricator and founder of Next Level Steel and Next Level Decking, I’m who people call when they want to talk structural steel construction. Or maybe it’s a developer trying to get a gauge on the level of large-scale commercial and industrial developments in the pipeline here in the Valley and beyond. But lately everyone wants to ask me … [More]
Electric Vehicles: Trend or (Status) Quo in Arizona?
Electric vehicles accounted for 8.1% of U.S. auto sales in 2024 — a record high. Yet despite steady adoption, a cloud of skepticism lingers. Political divides and cooling growth rates have raised doubts: Are EVs the next standard, or just a well-marketed fad? In Arizona, where long commutes, extreme heat and wide-open highways dominate, the answer is becoming clearer. … [More]
AI in Construction: Applications for Project Planning, Safety and Efficiency
The construction industry may not be known for breaking new ground (at least when it comes to technology), but it is no stranger to innovation. New tools and techniques are continually emerging or refined to suit modern timelines and tastes. But, as the recent surge in artificial intelligence adoption pushes the boundaries of what is possible, many best-in-class general … [More]
Aerospace & Defense: The Impact on Arizona’s Growth
This soaring economic sector is well-grounded
Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache Aerospace & defense is interwoven in our state’s economy with its extensive range of manufacturing and engineering, from aircraft to optics, weapons systems to drone detection, and parts to software. Four of our major A & D businesses help us gain a snapshot view of the current strength of the industry and what bodes for the … [More]
Home Price Declines Signal Power Swing Toward Buyers
The median home-sale price fell in 14 of the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas this week, according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. Oakland, CA saw the biggest drop, with a 6.8% year-over-year decline, followed by two Florida metros and two Texas metros: West Palm Beach (-4.9%), Jacksonville (-3.1%), Austin (-2.9%) and Houston … [More]
Guest Editor: Sandra Watson, Arizona Commerce Authority
Defense as the Best Offense Arizona’s Aerospace and Defense industry is taking off, reaching new heights with significant investments — and even more growth on the horizon. Industry leaders across the state are developing cutting-edge technologies, creating skilled jobs, and ensuring our national defense. As one of Arizona’s fastest-growing industries, Aerospace and Defense … [More]
Affordable Homes Outpace Market, Posting 4% Growth in June Sales
Sales of starter homes rose 3.9% year over year in June to the highest level in two years, a bright spot in an otherwise sluggish housing market where sales fell across other price tiers. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. June was the 10th consecutive month in which home sales rose year over year, indicating that … [More]
