The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable economic unrest throughout Arizona. Business closures and restricted commerce caused the state’s unemployment levels to jump 9.2% from 5.0% in March of 2020 to 14.2% the following month. At one point, 1.03 million Arizonans were out of work. As businesses have adjusted to the “new normal” and COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed, … [More]
Campaign Begins to Reduce Pedestrian, Cyclist Deaths
Bicycle and pedestrian crashes continue to claim more than 100 lives each year in the Maricopa region, and pedestrian involved crashes have steadily risen with increases in both injuries and fatalities. Pedestrian fatalities increased 57 percent over a 10-year period (2010-2019). Although bicycle crashes have trended downward during the same period, more cyclists died in … [More]
Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Arizonans from Frivolous Lawsuits
Governor Doug Ducey today signed legislation to ensure Arizonans acting in good faith during the COVID-19 pandemic are protected against frivolous civil claims. Health care professionals, businesses, schools, nonprofits, governments, religious institutions, and property owners are among the entities to which the legislation applies. “Arizona’s health care professionals … [More]
Finalists Announced for the $250,000 New Arizona Prize: Housing Security Challenge
The Arizona Community Foundation, Republic Media, and ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy are pleased to announce the five finalists in the Housing Security Challenge, the fourth philanthropic prize competition offered under the New Arizona Prize banner. A total of 13 teams met the deadline to submit projects for consideration by the eight-member evaluation panel and … [More]
COVID-19 Stories: Navajo Woman Business Owner Steps Up to Lead Volunteer Relief Distribution Effort
Last March, Navajo business owner Vanessa Tullie had just completed construction of a new office space when she responded to a call to join the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund efforts. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Tullie owns and operates a home care agency, appropriately named Ahehee’ Shidine’e Homecare LLC., which loosely translates to mean, “Thank you, my … [More]
Arizona Announces State Fair Returning in 2021
The Arizona State Fair Board decided unanimously to temporarily relocate the State Fair to a new, larger and safer location for 2021. The Arizona State Fair is an annual event that draws more than one million guests, and today’s decision will allow the fair to proceed later this year. Last fall, the State Fair was canceled due to COVID-19, prompting an offer from the Gila … [More]
Valley Metro Welcomes First Streetcar Vehicle
On Monday, March 22, Valley Metro celebrated the arrival of its first vehicle in the Tempe Streetcar fleet. The new streetcar is manufactured by Brookville Equipment Corporation and can transport up to 120 passengers. “We are really excited about the streetcar coming into play in the city of Tempe, particularly to add to our regional infrastructure along with light rail and … [More]
SBA Shares Resources to Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Entrepreneurs during National Deaf History Month
Recently, I read an article about two entrepreneurs who were opening a new restaurant and they laughed at themselves for picking this time to go into business but, in reality, it is a great time to start their journey, especially if they have properly prepared. As the Arizona District Director, I have the pleasure to speak with many entrepreneurs. Last month, we assisted a … [More]
Keeping Work Zones Safe for Drivers, Workers
Ongoing efforts to create safer highway and street work zones for drivers and construction and maintenance workers have received an important boost — the awarding of a federal grant to a coalition of transportation agencies in the Phoenix region. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and Maricopa County Department of … [More]
