As we head into our next Legislative Session, the Greater Phoenix Chamber is proud to spotlight its Public Affairs Issue Committees, a unique initiative designed to give businesses of all sizes, particularly those with smaller budgets, a powerful voice in our state legislative system. These committees provide an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to engage directly with … [More]
Governor Releases FY2026 Executive Budget Proposal
Proposal seeks to restore The Arizona Promise and delivers critical funding to strengthen opportunity, security, and freedom Governor Hobbs released her FY2026 Executive Budget, which invests in critical efforts to support working families and help Arizonans thrive. “To realize the Arizona Promise, we must deliver opportunity, security, and freedom for Arizonans,” said … [More]
SBA Strengthens Small Business Community Lending Network
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced additions to the Community Advantage Small Business Lending Company (CA SBLC) program. The SBA is adding more nonprofit organizations to the program to assist underserved markets. The Biden-Harris Administration’s updates further increase 7(a) loan access to veterans, women, rural areas, and low-to-moderate income … [More]
Phoenix Considers Multiple Options to Balance Budget, Shortfall Anticipated
The City of Phoenix is exploring options to deal with a potential budget shortfall, which could include raising sales tax or cutting some services to residents. The City is required to adopt a balanced budget each fiscal year. Under the direction of the Mayor and Phoenix City Council, the City has successfully managed significant growth in population, … [More]
City of Phoenix Appoints New Chief Privacy Officer to Strengthen Commitment to Data Privacy
The City of Phoenix and Information Technology Services Department are pleased to announce the appointment of Ciara Maerowitz as the City’s Chief Privacy Officer (CPO). This role underscores the City’s commitment to responsibly handle and protect the data of our employees, residents, and business … [More]
Governor Announces $17 Million for Border Security
Governor Katie Hobbs announced $17.2 million in funding from the SAFE (Stopping Arizona’s Fentanyl Epidemic) initiative to support local law enforcement’s border security work, drug interdiction efforts, and combatting human trafficking. This investment will support law enforcement departments, including county sheriffs’ offices, to address critical challenges in Arizona’s … [More]
Phoenix and Valley Metro Extending Small Business Financial Assistance Program
The Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) has been extended through March 31, 2025, providing eligible businesses along the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail route to apply for up to $9,000 in grant funding. New applicants and those who received funding previously are encouraged to apply. Eligible businesses must: Be located on the South … [More]
SBA Awards Record-Breaking $183B in Federal Contracts to Small Businesses, Marking Fourth Consecutive Year of Growth
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that small businesses received more than $183 billion in prime contracts from the federal government – 28.8% of all federal contracting dollars – in fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, 2024. Prime contracts are awarded to small businesses to work directly with the government. These prime contracting awards once again … [More]
Phoenix Police Reflect on 2024 with Year in Review, Staffing Problems Loom
The past year has been one full of successes, challenges, and heartbreak for the Phoenix Police Department. As we close out 2024, we are hopeful for a safe and positive 2025 as we continue to serve our community with excellence. This year, the Phoenix Police Department suffered the loss of one of our own. Officer Zane Coolidge, a young officer, husband, father, son, and … [More]
Phoenix Set to Show Off at CES 2025 in Las Vegas
To showcase Phoenix as a rising hub for innovative technology, advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and aerospace, Mayor Kate Gallego and the City's Community and Economic Development Department will travel to this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 7 to 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will mark the Mayor and City's first time participating in CES, the world's … [More]
SBA Announced Upcoming Launch of the 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the upcoming launch of the 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) for entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) focused on innovation-driven startups and entrepreneurs in underserved regions, industries, and communities to launch, grow, and scale. The competition strengthens ESO capacity, builds connections, and … [More]
ADOT to Use Federal Grant to Study Low-Carbon Paving Materials
$27 million grant allows research on sustainable pavements
The Arizona Department of Transportation is gearing up for a study of low-carbon transportation materials after the award of a $27 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). ADOT will use the grant to develop a research program on the use of qualifying low-carbon pavement materials in future highway improvement projects. Potential projects would be … [More]
Tempe and Phoenix to End Lawsuits Regarding Property Rights Near Airport
Changes to a 30-year-old intergovernmental agreement will effectively end lawsuits between the cities of Tempe and Phoenix regarding property rights near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The lawsuits sought to determine whether residential buildings were … [More]
Governor Launches ConnectAllAZ to Bring High-Speed Internet to All Arizonans
Initiative will deploy investments to increase broadband connectivity across the state
Governor Katie Hobbs announced ConnectAllAZ, a new initiative to ensure all Arizonans have access to information about statewide broadband programs. ConnectAllAZ brings all of Arizona’s broadband expansion efforts, including the historic $993 million in funding for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, under one initiative, and aims to provide a complete … [More]
SRP Initiates Pricing Process that Seeks Price Increase and New Price Plan Options
Salt River Project (SRP) management opened a public pricing process that seeks an overall 2.4 percent price increase. This price change reflects a proposed increase of $168.8 million in base revenue to support upgrades to the power system and an anticipated decrease of $67.7 million in fuel and purchased power revenues, which are recovered through the Fuel and Purchased Power … [More]
Governor Announces $1M to Expand BuildItAZ Apprenticeships
Funds will continue to strengthen Arizona’s construction talent pipeline with a focus on women
Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) announced $1 million in funding for the next phase of the BuildItAZ Apprenticeship Initiative (BuildItAZ), which aims to connect Arizonans with the skills they need for construction and trades jobs. After the Governor launched BuildItAZ in 2023, Arizona saw growth in enrollment of construction and trades … [More]
ASU and Deca Technologies Selected to Lead $100M SHIELD USA Project to Strengthen U.S. Semiconductor Packaging Capabilities
The National Institute of Standards and Technology — part of the U.S. Department of Commerce — announced today that it plans to award as much as $100 million to Arizona State University and Deca Technologies for the SHIELD USA initiative. The project will drive innovation in the domestic microchip packaging ecosystem, expand capacity for domestic advanced packaging and help … [More]
Maricopa County Voters Invest in Progress: Passage of Proposition 479 Represents a Milestone Reached for Regional Transportation
After years of regional planning and unanimous support from the region’s leaders, Maricopa County voters have chosen continued progress with the passage of Proposition 479, a measure that will continue the dedicated half-cent sales tax for transportation for another 20 years. First passed in 1985, the dedicated tax has funded critical transportation infrastructure in … [More]
