Looking Good 2026 – May Standouts

by Mike Hunter

Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy ACHIEVEMENTS Torrie Taj – Outstanding Fundraising Professional Navi Nurses Founder Recognized for Impact Local Bar Manager a Bartending Contender Local PR Firm Named a ‘Best in U.S.’  PHILANTHROPY Studio North America Donates Event Services Babbo Supports Pancreatic Cancer Research Cox … [More]

Torrie Taj – Outstanding Fundraising Professional

by Mike Hunter

Torrie A. Taj, CFRE, chief executive officer of Child Crisis Arizona, was recently named the 2026 Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global — the highest honor this global organization bestows — recognizing effective, creative and inspiring fundraising as well as the practice and promotion of ethical standards and best practices … [More]

From Endorsements to Ownership: Rethinking the Value of Athlete Partnerships

The smartest brands aren’t just paying for athlete endorsements

by Alex Guerrero

In the era of the influencer economy, athlete partnerships are everywhere. Business leaders, founders and investors have likely written a check, sponsored a team or partnered with an athlete having a shining moment, in exchange for cultural relevance, visibility, credibility or a spike in sales. But the smartest brands aren’t just paying for athlete endorsements –– they’re … [More]

Entrepreneurs Turn to Premium Pet Care in Greater Phoenix

by Scott Schubiger

As Greater Phoenix continues attracting new residents and entrepreneurs, service-based businesses that align with evolving lifestyle patterns are drawing increased attention. One category gaining momentum is premium pet care. K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, a premium dog boarding and daycare brand with established locations in Scottsdale and Chandler, is evaluating additional … [More]

Chandler Chip Co. Lands $40M Defense Deal

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Everspin Technologies, Inc., the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) persistent memory solutions, announced an agreement with a U.S. prime contractor to provide state-of-the-art Toggle MRAM process technology capabilities and engineering services for United States Defense Industrial Base customers. Everspin MRAM delivers … [More]

Life Time Debuts New Location at $2B PV Mall Redevelopment

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Life Time, one of the nation's premier healthy lifestyle brands, opened Life Time Paradise Valley, a 91,000-square-foot luxury athletic country club at PV, one of the region's most exciting mixed-use developments, marking continued expansion in the Phoenix market with a second new location set to open just days later on May 4 in Gilbert. Life Time Paradise Valley features a … [More]

Glendale Bank Parent Agrees to $130M Sale

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BNCCORP, INC. and its wholly owned subsidiary, BNC National Bank announced it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by OppFi Inc., a tech-enabled digital finance platform, in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $130 million. The transaction brings together two complementary, market-leading businesses, combining OppFi's sophisticated online lending … [More]

Arizona Cobalt Project Pens $850M Deal with Japanese Firm

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EVelution Energy LLC, a U.S. critical minerals company developing the first commercial-scale cobalt metal and cobalt sulfate processing facility in the United States, announced the signing of a binding long-term offtake agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., valued at approximately $850 million over the five-year term of the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, … [More]

SBA Spotlights Arizona Small Business Leaders

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In celebration of National Small Business Week, May 3-9, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is honoring nine Arizona small businesses and lending partners for their contributions to the economy during national and local award ceremonies. “National Small Business Week is a time to recognize the power of small business.  We celebrate the dedication, leadership, and … [More]

Honeywell Expands Jet Engine Manufacturing Operations in Phoenix

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Honeywell announced plans to expand manufacturing of its F124 jet engines at its Phoenix Engines campus by adding on-site assembly. The newly built Honeywell F124-GA-200 engines will power the Beechcraft M-346N candidate for the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS), which is expected to be contracted by the Navy in 2027. By adding engine manufacturing in … [More]

Manufacturing Technology Co. Debuts Technical Center in Phoenix

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Manufacturing technology company Mazak Corporation will host its DISCOVER MORE WITH MAZAK Phoenix Grand Opening event April 28-29 at its new Mazak Phoenix Technical Center. Located at 2675 West Buckeye Rd. in Phoenix, Ariz., the new technical center provides service and support for manufacturers throughout the Western United States. The facility houses a call center, … [More]

Branding Push Seeks to Reframe National Perception of Greater Phoenix

inbusinessPHX.com

The region of Greater Phoenix is in the midst of unprecedented growth, but a survey conducted by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council in 2025 displayed a discrepancy in activity compared to perception among CEOs and the general public across the country. About 45% of the people surveyed stated they were not familiar with the market. When asked for descriptors of Greater … [More]

East Valley Co. Prepares Launch of Massive Mining Wheel following Validation

inbusinessPHX.com

After years of engineering development and large-scale field testing, Global Air Cylinder Wheels, the Phoenix-based innovator behind the patented Air Suspension Wheel, has reached a key milestone in its transition from research and development to commercial deployment for 2026, following successful extreme-condition validation trials in Minnesota mining operations. The … [More]

Chandler’s Downtown Ocotillo Unveils Three New Dining Concepts

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A spring refresh is taking place at Downtown Ocotillo with the introduction of three new restaurants – Bonsai, Lucca Coastal Kitchen and Lucca Living Room. Spearheaded by Spike Lawrence Ventures, the mixed-used development features a diverse mix of entirely local establishments, including a wide array of food and beverage offerings, all of which are independent concepts … [More]

Supplement Manufacturer Acquires 70,000 SF Phoenix Facility

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VitaWorks announced its acquisition of Phlex Nutritional Manufacturing, a 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art nutritional manufacturing facility located in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally built by the engineering team at All-Fill Machinery in Exton, Pennsylvania, the facility significantly expands VitaWorks' production capacity, technical capabilities, and national manufacturing … [More]

Beverage Distributor Opens 241,000 SF Mesa Facility

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Swire Coca-Cola, USA — the bottler for Coca-Cola and other beverage brands across a 13-state region of the American West — has opened a new distribution facility in Mesa. The new facility will help meet rising demand in the fast-growing Phoenix metro area. Andrea Kendell, president and CEO of Swire Coca-Cola, USA, was joined by Mesa Vice Mayor Scott Somers for a … [More]

Old Town Scottsdale Hotel to Renovate Signature Lounge

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W Scottsdale, located in the heart of the city’s vibrant Entertainment District, announced the renovation of its iconic Living Room, marking a major transformation of the space. Designed by MONOGRAM at BBGM, the reimagined Living Room draws inspiration from the natural rhythm of the surrounding Sonoran Desert, introducing a bold yet refined design narrative that transitions … [More]

SRP Brings 55 MW Solar Project Online

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Salt River Project’s first owned and operated solar facility, the 55-megawatt (MW) Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center (CCERC) PV Solar Project, is now serving customers. In addition to providing enough solar energy to power 11,000 Arizona homes for a year, the CCERC PV Solar Project is helping SRP teams research the effectiveness of advanced solar technology. The … [More]

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