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]
Vote In-Person or Drop Off Your Early Ballot; Here Are Some Links to Information
In-person voting began on October 9, 2024, and will continue through Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Individuals who wish to vote in person can visit any voting location. On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, voting locations will be open to voters from 6 AM to 7 PM. Locations are designated throughout the county and are found by … [More]
Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity Announced a New Opportunity for Microbusiness Grant Funding
The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), the Arizona state agency committed to strengthening Arizona’s workforce and economy, announced a new opportunity for grant funding through the Arizona Microbusiness Loan Program. The program, launched by Governor Katie Hobbs in August 2024, is already making a positive impact in communities across the state. Arizona’s small … [More]
Phoenix Introduces New Residential Grass Removal Incentive to Promote Water Conservation
Phoenix Water Services has launched a new program offering financial assistance to homeowners who replace their lawns with water-efficient, desert-adapted landscapes. The initiative encourages residents to reduce outdoor water use by receiving $2 per square foot for removing grass. This effort not only conserves water but could also help residents save money on their water … [More]
City of Phoenix Secures $12.9 Million Congestion Relief Grant
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has awarded the Phoenix Public Transit Department with a $12.9 million congestion relief grant. The award will fund Project EASE (Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion) in Phoenix. In partnership with Via Transportation, Inc., this project will implement microtransit service (a flexible, on-demand … [More]
ASU Selected for DoD Research Center on Non-Traditional Warfare
Arizona State University (ASU) has been selected to work closely with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to provide reputable academic research support to deepen the understanding of current and emerging global trends in non-traditional warfare. ASU will lead a national consortium supporting the DoD’s Irregular Warfare Center (IWC) in the National Capital Region. The … [More]
EPA Announces $32 Million for Water Infrastructure in Arizona
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3.6 billion in new funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade water infrastructure and keep communities safe. Combined with $2.6 billion announced earlier this month, this $6.2 billion in investments for Fiscal Year 2025 will help communities nationwide make essential water infrastructure upgrades to … [More]
Region Receives $146M in Federal Grants for Grand Avenue Reconstruction Project
Grants will help fund US 60 (Grand Avenue) 35th Avenue/Indian School Road Grade Separation Project
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $146 million combined federal grant funding award to the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for the US 60 (Grand Avenue)/35th Avenue/Indian School Road Grade Separation Project. The project will help address the complex issues surrounding the six-legged highway/arterial intersection that also includes two at-grade … [More]
