An Arizona Coyotes hockey arena, hotels, apartments, restaurants and retail will not move forward at Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway now that residents have voted to decline the Tempe Entertainment District. Tempe voters have spoken and we respect their voices. The Tempe City Council's unanimous vote in November 2022 to move the Tempe Entertainment District forward, … [More]
State Cracks Down on Fraudulent Medicaid Providers
Governor Hobbs, alongside Attorney General Mayes, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community President Martin Harvier, AHCCCS Director Carmen Heredia, representatives from 13 tribal nations, and law enforcement, announced actions against over 100 Medicaid behavioral health residential and outpatient treatment service providers believed to be engaging in fraud. These providers … [More]
Tempe Votes in Tempe Entertainment District Project Special Election Today
Voters have options for casting their ballots on Propositions 301, 302 and 303 as part of the city’s Special Election on the Tempe Entertainment District. In November, the City Council unanimously approved the resolutions/ordinances for the Tempe Entertainment District project. Three aspects of the primarily privately funded proposal from Bluebird Development, the affiliate … [More]
Governor Hobbs Announces Arizona’s Title 42 Preparedness Approach
Ahead of the lifting of Title 42, Governor Hobbs today announced the state’s five-point preparedness approach outlining Arizona’s priorities for managing the expected influx of migrants. At the press conference, Hobbs was joined by DPS Director Jeffrey Glover, DEMA-EM Allen Clark, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls, and Representative Mariana … [More]
Phoenix Names Transit Center for Former Councilmember Thelda Williams
The City of Phoenix is naming a new transit center, currently being built at Metrocenter, for former District 1 City Council Member and Mayor Thelda Williams. The transit center will be located under the elevated light rail station – currently under construction - as part of the Northwest Light Rail Extension Phase II (NWEII) project. Former Councilmember Williams served on … [More]
Phoenix Sky Harbor Bond Rating Upgrade with Record Passenger Numbers Echo Tourism Recovery
Moody's Investors Services raised its long-term rating to Aa2 from Aa3 on Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation's (CIC) senior-lien general airport revenue bonds (GARBs) and raised its long-term rating to Aa3 from A1 on CIC's junior-lien GARBs, issued on behalf of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Both credits have stable outlooks. Moody's also assigns Aa2 to … [More]
Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development Department Launches Website to Connect Those Wanting to Do Business With Phoenix
Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development department has launched Investinphoenix.com, a new website that provides a one-stop destination for site selectors, businesses, developers, entrepreneurs and investors interested in doing business in Phoenix. At a time when Phoenix is experiencing a surge in economic growth, Investinphoenix.com is a central hub for business … [More]
Street Count Shows Continued Rise in Homelessness
The number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase in Maricopa County, although the number of people on the street did decline slightly over the previous count. 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Report Numbers released today from the federally mandated, one day “point-in-time” count conducted in January show 9,642 people experiencing homelessness within the … [More]
Governor Announces First-of-Its-Kind Cross-Border Electric Truck Pilot Program
Alongside Governor Durazo, Governor Hobbs announced a first-of-its-kind Cross-Border Electric Trucking Pilot Program that will build businesses, create jobs, and help preserve Arizona’s natural resources and climate. This program will help ensure Arizona is leading the world into the green economy future. “Mexico is the strongest link in Arizona’s supply chain, and as … [More]
City Partnership to Bring Free Solar to Low-Income Residents
The City of Phoenix and nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the Phoenix Metro Solar Co-op to help residents in the valley go solar. Several successful rounds have helped more than 127 homeowners install rooftop solar. With new federal tax incentives and a financial assistance program for low- to-moderate income homeowners, the program expects to … [More]
Their Take: Congress Shouldn’t Hurt Small Business by Destroying Digital Advertising
Today in Arizona, the state is home to more than a half million small businesses — including my own company, based in Glendale. Statewide, small businesses account for more than four out of 10 workers. Small businesses help rev up the state’s economy, we create jobs and we help make the Valley’s neighborhoods more vibrant. This is not easy work, but in running a small business, … [More]
New Tempe Sports and Entertainment District Project Gets NHL, Business Leader Support
As ballots are expected to be mailed out April 16th, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman attended a press conference to show his support for Propositions 301, 302, and 303 to build a new Tempe Sports and Entertainment District. The project would create more than $690 million in economic benefits to the City of Tempe. It includes new restaurants and retail, a theater, multi-family … [More]
Funding Assistance for Small Businesses on Light Rail Still Available
After two successful years, the Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) will continue supporting businesses impacted by light rail construction in Phoenix. Businesses located along the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub and Northwest Extension Phase II light rail projects can apply for this grant funding. Last year, the SBFAP granted $ 390,000 to nearly 70 … [More]
Arizona Awarded Funding to Digitize Roadways, Improve Safety
The U.S. Department of Transportation named the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) one of the first recipients of funding under the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The federal program provides resources to state, local, and tribal governments to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community … [More]
Tax Credits and Incentives for Arizona Businesses in 2023 from the Inflation Reduction Act
In her State of the State Address, Governor Katie Hobbs announced she hopes to further increase profitability and success of businesses and families by relaunching the energy office, renamed as the Office of Resiliency. Governor Hobbs likely did this in response to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) signed into law last August. The White House says the Act will lower … [More]
Region Receives $36.3M to Help Those Experiencing Homelessness
As the region sees continued increases in the number of people experiencing homelessness, more than $36 million in newly announced federal funding is on the way to help fund dozens of local homelessness programs. The money will be distributed to 32 programs that help provide housing and services to people experiencing homelessness in the Maricopa region. “Helping people … [More]
Public-Private Coalition Announces New Initiatives to Accelerate Water Innovation in Cities, Phoenix Leading Charge
In celebration of World Water Day, the 50 Liter Home Coalition (50L Home), convened by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced new efforts to accelerate water innovations in water-stressed cities. Sponsored by private sector leaders, these commitments include funding for a pilot program in Los Angeles, … [More]
Mayor Gallego Launches Legacy Small Business Program
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego announced the launch of her "Legacy Small Business Program" -- a new Mayor's Office initiative to honor Phoenix businesses that have provided services to the community for 25 years or more. "Our Phoenix small businesses not only contribute to the local economy, but they also enrich our city's history and culture. With over 90% of businesses in … [More]
