The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points in August to 100.8, nearly 3 points above the 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, four increased, four decreased, and two were unchanged. The increase in those expecting real sales to be higher contributed the most to the rise in the Optimism Index. The Uncertainty Index fell by 4 points to 93 but … [More]
SRP Partners with Google on Energy Storage
Salt River Project and Google announced a first-of-its-kind research collaboration to better understand the real-world performance of emerging non-lithium ion long duration energy storage (LDES) technologies, aiming to accelerate the advancements needed to deploy LDES at scale. As part of the research collaboration, Google will fund a portion of the costs for … [More]
Arizona Leaders Travel to Taiwan to Deepen Workforce Collaboration
Amid rapid economic momentum and record FDI activity between Arizona and Taiwan, the Arizona Commerce Authority is leading a delegation of more than 50 Arizona business, academia, and community leaders on an economic trade visit to Taiwan. The group delegation visit, which is taking place September 8 to September 10, 2025, features a full schedule including meetings with … [More]
Gilbert-Based Sweetener Co. Names New CEO
Wisdom Natural Brands, parent company of the SweetLeaf brand of stevia and other natural sugar substitutes, announced the appointment of long-time company consultant Aaron Henderson to serve as CEO and take the reins of a major rebranding and expansion campaign. He succeeds Michael May, a founding family member who has led Wisdom since 2021 and remains Chairman of the … [More]
Global Logistics Firm to Hire Nearly 800 in Phoenix Ahead of Holiday Season
GEODIS, a global logistics provider, announced plans to hire approximately 755 seasonal workers the Phoenix, Arizona, area to support the anticipated surge in demand during peak season. This hiring initiative will significantly enhance the company’s operational capacities in its warehouses and distribution centers in preparation for the holiday season, with seasonal employees … [More]
Major Acquisition Grows PNC’s Arizona Footprint to 70+ Branches
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire FirstBank Holding Company, including its banking subsidiary FirstBank, headquartered in Lakewood, CO. FirstBank, with $26.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025, provides commercial and retail banking services across Colorado and Arizona. FirstBank operates 95 branches, with a leading … [More]
Health-Focused Grocer Nearly Triples in Size with Relocation, Expanding Offerings
Good Living Greens, Fountain Hills’ own healthy grocery that features clean, local products, announced its public grand reopening will be on Monday, Oct. 6 after a relocation and expansion. The move nearly triples the store’s footprint from 1,300 to almost 3,000 square feet and marks a new chapter in its mission to nourish the community and support Arizona’s local food … [More]
University Leaders Press Valley CEOs for Talent, R&D, Partnerships
Arizona's public university presidents delivered a unified message about the transformative power of higher education during the Greater Phoenix Chamber's Valley Voices event at the Orange Tree Golf Resort. The chamber’s annual gathering on the state of higher education brought together business leaders, educators and policymakers to discuss the critical role of a college … [More]
NFIB Report: Labor Quality Remains Top Issue as Openings Moderate
NFIB’s August jobs report found that 32% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in August, down 1 point from July. The last time unfilled job openings fell below 32% was in July 2020. Twenty-eight percent have openings for skilled workers, down 1 point, and 13% have openings for unskilled labor (up 1 point). “While the economy … [More]
‘Modern Mexican’ Restaurant Concept Continues Growth, Adds Third Valley Location
Salt + Lime Modern Mexican Grill, a Scottsdale-based restaurant that recently expanded to Cave Creek, is set to open its third location in Arcadia between 44th St. and Camelback Road on Friday, Sept. 5. at 11 a.m. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to finally announce the expansion of our restaurant to the Arcadia area,” said Salt + Lime Modern Mexican Grill Owner Sandra Van … [More]
Scottsdale Wealth Management Firm Expands to Goodyear
Wilde Wealth Management Group, a locally owned financial services firm that provides comprehensive retirement, investment, real estate, insurance, legal and tax planning services all under one roof, announced the opening of its Goodyear office, located at 1626 N. Litchfield Road, Ste. 280. Leading the new 3,010-square-foot office as managing partner is Brian Hershey. Phelps … [More]
Valley Holdings Corp. Announces Leadership Transition
WillScot Holdings Corporation announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has unanimously elected Tim Boswell to succeed Brad Soultz as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, and Mr. Boswell will also join the Board at that time. The Company also announced that effective immediately, Worthing Jackman, current non-Executive Chairman of the Board, will now … [More]
Three Arizona Businesses Win USDA Funding to Scale Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Southwest Regional Food Business Center announced that three Arizona projects were selected for funding for the first round of the Business Builder Award Program, created to build the capacity of small and mid-sized farms and food businesses. Between 2025-2027, the SWRFBC has committed to distributing $4.1 million in awards across … [More]
Uber’s $300M Lucid Investment Confirms Phoenix-Built Robotaxis
Lucid Group, Inc., maker of advanced electric vehicles, announced the closing of a $300 million investment in the company by Uber Technologies, Inc. The strategic investment was made as part of the next-generation premium global robotaxi program announced in July. The robotaxi, which will utilize Lucid's electric vehicle technology platform, is planned to be built at … [More]
Crowd-Investing Fund Acquires $10.7M Central Phoenix Apartment Complex
Neighborhood Ventures, a real estate operator and an online real estate investment company that enables both accredited and non-accredited investors to invest in multifamily properties, has closed on Venture on Maryland, a 78-unit multifamily community in Central Phoenix. Acquired in a pre-foreclosure transaction directly from the bank for $10.7 million (down from a 2022 … [More]
Valley Renewable Developer Lands $250M, Bringing Two-Year Financing Stack to $4.5B
Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading renewable energy developer, owner, and operator, announced it has secured a $250 million tax equity commitment from Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. for Arevon's two-phase 430 megawatt Kelso Solar Project in Scott County, Missouri. The transaction brings Arevon's aggregate solar and energy storage project financings to $4.5 billion executed within the last … [More]
Mesa AV Integration Co. Acquired by Industry Giant
AVI-SPL, a provider of digital enablement solutions, announced the acquisition of CCS Presentation Systems Southwest, an audio-visual design and systems integration firm headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. CCS has a rich, 34-year history of expertly serving customers in the Arizona market with a focus on continuously optimizing communications and collaboration solutions for the … [More]
Scottsdale Travel Agency to be Acquired in $125M Deal
TBO, based in Gurugram, India, announced its agreement to acquire US based Classic Vacations from Phoenix-based investment firm, The Najafi Companies, for an estimated total purchase of up to $125 million. The acquisition brings together the power of TBO's first-class technology platform and worldwide inventory with Classic Vacation's vast network of luxury travel advisors … [More]
