It's high time to do more about cannabis criminalization and the disproportionate way it continues to affect communities of color. This 4/20, nationally and locally lead with ACLU and AZ Justice Project, respectively, Ben & Jerry's is focused on one message: Legalization without justice is half baked. "To truly achieve cannabis justice, we have to ensure people are no … [More]
Arizona’s Blue Envelopes Help Drivers with Autism during Traffic Stops
Rollout of enhanced communication includes law enforcement training
Arizona is launching a program through which drivers on the autism spectrum can place their credentials in special blue envelopes to enhance communication with law enforcement officers during traffic stops. This voluntary program, which includes education for law enforcement officers, follows a model used successfully in Connecticut. The envelope will have instructions for … [More]
Phoenix Scores Transit Oriented Development Light Rail Grant
The City of Phoenix received a $1.2 million TOD (Transit Oriented Development) grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help with efforts to improve access to public transit and create a transit-oriented walkable, livable and sustainable community. These types of grants help organizations, like the City of Phoenix, plan with the community around major … [More]
Additional Grant Funding Available for Businesses along Light Rail Construction
More than $1M and 200+ grants distributed to small businesses in first three years of program
After three successful years, the Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) will enter its final year on April 1 providing support to small, locally-owned businesses along our South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail project. New this year, eligible businesses can apply for between $4,500 (up from $3,000 in past years) to $9,000 in program … [More]
City of Phoenix Proposes New 300-Bed Shelter in West Phoenix
The City of Phoenix is proposing constructing a new City-owned shelter and navigation center at 11 S. 71st Avenue. The proposed shelter will create 280 of the 790 new shelter beds the Office of Homeless Solutions is partnering to add in 2024 and 2025, as part of the City’s continued commitment to … [More]
MAG Promotes Interim Director to Permanent Position as Environmental Director
The Maricopa Association of Governments has announced that Matthew Poppen will serve as the agency’s permanent environmental director, moving from the interim director role he has held since January. “This decision reflects Matt’s leadership abilities and his dedication to the environment and public health,” said MAG Executive Director Ed Zuercher. “Matt brings extensive … [More]
Arizona Department of Health Services Announces First-Ever Statewide Chief Heat Officer
The Arizona Department of Health Services is pleased to announce Eugene Livar, MD as the nation’s first-ever statewide Chief Heat Officer. This position is an initiative created under Governor Hobb’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan. Addressing extreme heat in Arizona is one of Governor Hobbs’ important initiatives and will involve a multitude of state agencies along with the … [More]
Phoenix City Council Passes Large Water User Ordinance
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and the City Council unanimously approved a water conservation ordinance geared towards large water users, another major component of the “Sustainable Desert Development Policy” that Gallego has led since early 2022. The new policies follow years of strategic planning to … [More]
Phoenix E-Scooter Program to Expand to 24/7 Schedule on March 1
The Phoenix Street Transportation Department will expand operation of its Shared Micromobility Program to 24 hours a day, seven days a week effective at midnight on Friday, March 1. The program currently operates daily from 5 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The 24/7 schedule of operation will be done as a six-month pilot program, during which usage data and other metrics will be … [More]
Interstate 10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Moving Forward
Improvements span 26 miles from Loop 202 (Santan/South Mountain Freeway) to State Route 387
Plans to expand 26 miles of Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande are moving forward following environmental approval late last week. The widening project will increase capacity and reduce congestion on a busy section of I-10 near Wild Horse Pass within the Gila River Indian Community. A key segment slated for improvement is the I-10 Gila River Indian Community … [More]
$500,000 Grant Will Support Development, Preservation of Affordable Rents and Mortgages
Regional Community Partners, the nonprofit arm of the Maricopa Association of Governments, received $500,000 in grant funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to support local governments in the development and preservation of housing people can afford. During the last 10 years, the Phoenix metropolitan region has lost 86 percent of rental units that are less than $1,000 a … [More]
Phoenix Announces Non-Residential Financial Incentives to Remove Non-Functional Grass
The Phoenix Water Services Department is launching new financial incentives to help non-residential customers conserve water and save money by removing non-functional grass and converting to desert landscaping. Non-residential customers can begin the application process by visiting the … [More]
SBA Announces Empower to Grow, a Training Program to Enhance Small Disadvantaged Business Contract Readiness
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a slate of major improvements to the implementation of the agency’s popular 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program. These changes – launched under a new name, Empower to Grow (E2G) – include significant upgrades to the program’s core services and are designed to deliver on the SBA’s commitment under the … [More]
$95 Million Federal Grant for I-10 Expansion South of Phoenix Announced
Governor Katie Hobbs announced that Arizona will receive a $95 million INFRA grant from the US Department of Transportation for major improvements to widen Interstate 10. The grant was awarded to improve the safety and conditions on the 26-mile stretch of the I-10 located entirely within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Community. The I-10 corridor is a main corridor for … [More]
Annual Homelessness Count Takes Place Tomorrow, Jan. 23
2024 Point in Time homelessness count provides data snapshot; volunteers still needed
Hundreds of volunteers will scan alleys, parks, riverbeds, streets, doorways, and other areas January 23, 2024, in an annual effort to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region at a specific point in time. The count, which is coordinated by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), provides a one-night snapshot of the number of men, … [More]
SBA Marks One-Year Anniversary of Veteran Small Business Certification Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) marks the one-year anniversary of the agency accepting applications through the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) program, the SBA’s primary certification vehicle to expand federal contracting opportunities for all Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). This … [More]
Coalition of Business Industry Leaders Urge State Legislators to Continue Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, joined by a coalition of more than 100 business leaders and growing throughout the state, today sent a letter to Arizona legislators expressing strong support for the continuation of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). The agency, established by former Gov. Jan Brewer in 2010 in an effort to revamp the state’s economic … [More]
Governor Announces $89M for New Affordable Housing and Homeless Response
Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) have awarded $40 million in grants statewide from the newly-created Homeless Shelter and Services (HSS) Fund to provide shelter and other services to people experiencing homelessness. From day one, Governor Hobbs has demonstrated a commitment to investing in Arizona communities and supporting those in need. These … [More]
