Toyota Motor North America announced that it has allocated and broken ground on more than $50 million in construction of new amenities for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development, affirming commitment to the Arizona Proving Grounds. The new construction includes a 5.5-mile oval track, an off-road park, and new ride and handling surfaces, among many other … [More]
Realty Executives Aligns Ownership, Strengthening Phoenix Presence
Realty Executives International announced that it is aligning its ownership structure across Arizona and re-establishing common ownership of the Phoenix and Yuma market territory. This strategic move consolidates Realty Executives' presence in Arizona under one ownership group, reaffirming its long-term investment and commitment to serving agents and clients statewide. The … [More]
National Contracting Co. Celebrates Arizona Expansion
W.W. Clyde & Company widens its footprint in the Arizona market with the opening of a new 38,000-square-foot office in Apache Junction. To celebrate this growth milestone, community and industry partners were invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house held at the new location. “This new location allows us to better serve more customers and hire talented people in … [More]
Tech-Centric Public Relations Co. Acquired by California Communications Firm
Leading California communications firm Southwest Strategies Group announced the acquisition of Kiterocket, one of the nation’s leading public relations agencies for emerging technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy and sustainability. “Kiterocket’s client-centric philosophy and commitment to investing in their team align with our core values,” said Southwest Strategies … [More]
Tempe Incubator Finds Early Success with Startup Defense Co.
One of Startup Central's first spinouts, Defense Company One, has earned a spot at a highly competitive international defense technology challenge centered on advanced drone tactics, hosted in Canada. Defense Company One is collaborating with North American Signal Ops (NASO) and other established defense technology partners to develop next-gen capabilities and integrations … [More]
Energy Developer Secures $600M in Funding for Expansion
Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading American energy developer, owner, and operator, announced the successful closing of a $600 million credit facility, with the option to increase up to $850 million, to support its expanding portfolio of diverse, high-quality renewable energy projects across the United States. The facility includes a $350 million revolving loan and letter of … [More]
AI Startup Debuts Grid-Smart Software in Metro Phoenix, Closes $24.5M Seed Round
Emerald AI announced its official launch, unveiling the results of its first commercial demonstration and $24.5 million in seed funding led by Radical Ventures, with participation from NVentures (NVIDIA's venture capital arm), AMPLO, CRV, and Neotribe. Emerald AI is also backed by an array of notable individual investors, including Google Chief Scientist Jeff Dean, former … [More]
Buyers Need a $17,000 Raise to Afford a Home
Five years ago, a median-income household could afford a typical U.S. home. Today, they're more than $17,000 short, even if they have $73,000 saved for a down payment, a new Zillow® analysis finds. While the housing market is friendlier to buyers this spring, with more homes for sale and a record number of sellers cutting their list prices, incredible home … [More]
ElevateEdAZ Shares Successes in Internship Program with Mayo Clinic
ElevateEdAZ, an education initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, is sharing preliminary results of an ongoing partnership with Mayo Clinic that offers high-quality high school internships in the healthcare field to build a region-wide talent pipeline of career-ready youth. “Engaging the business community in providing internships and other work-based learning … [More]
Developer Brings Fourth Project to Peoria, Expands Luxury Brand
Part of the Mark-Taylor Residential portfolio, Alexan Park West, owned by Trammell Crow Residential, offers a luxury community in the heart of Peoria, Ariz. that blends modern living with comfort and ease. This addition strengthens Mark-Taylor’s presence in the West Valley and emphasizes their commitment to delivering thoughtfully designed spaces that enhance residents' … [More]
Valley Brand Franchisor Sees Growth in 2025, Surpasses Q2 Expectations
Evive Brands, a leading multi-brand franchisor in the home and health services sectors, announced it has surpassed 100 franchise territories sold in 2025 by the end of the second quarter. This milestone highlights the company's accelerated growth and the strength of its franchise systems, driven by franchisee success and robust team support. Evive Brands includes a … [More]
Phoenix-Based Ice Cream Co. Acquired by Multi-National Conglomerate
Bubbies Ice Cream, the #1 mochi ice cream brand in the natural channel and the fastest growing in conventional grocery, has been acquired by Marubeni Corporation, one of the largest integrated trading and investment companies in Japan. Bubbies is now part of Marubeni America Corporation, based in New York City, and will continue its operations and manufacturing facilities out … [More]
WESTMARC Elevates 2025 Emerging Leaders Impact Program
The Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC), in collaboration with Leadership West and the Center for the Future of Arizona, is proud to launch the 2025 West Valley Emerging Leaders Impact Program—a regional initiative recognizing exceptional young professionals driving positive change across the West Valley. The program honors professionals under the age of 40 who live or … [More]
APS Initiative Brings Electricity to Navajo Nation Homes for First Time
Extreme summer and winter temperatures in northern Arizona and northwest New Mexico, can pose significant challenges for those living on the Navajo Nation, where electricity is not as easy as flipping on a light switch. Jason Hatch, Snowflake-based APS Transmission and Distribution Supervisor, knows this all too well. Jason has been involved in a project called Light Up … [More]
Gen Z Increasingly Turning to AI for Help Managing Workplace Conflict
Resume.org has released new findings from a June 2025 survey exploring how Gen Z employees use AI to navigate workplace dynamics. The survey of 1,022 full-time Gen Z workers found that 76% use AI chatbots at work, and 94% of those have used the tools to handle a workplace issue, such as decoding messages, managing conflict, or deciding how to reply. After using AI to address … [More]
Real Estate Group Acquires Scottsdale Quarter, Plans $100M Renovation
FalconEye Ventures announced it has acquired Scottsdale Quarter, the premier 755,000-square-foot open-air mixed-use destination encompassing retail, dining, and office components, complemented by nearly 600 residential units. FalconEye Ventures is a real estate investment company founded by tech entrepreneur George Kurtz in 2020. The company also announced today that … [More]
Valley Partnership Empowers Mission of Food Recycling Startup
Mill, the innovative food recycling company, released new data that demonstrates major momentum in its mission to eliminate food from landfills and reshape everyday behavior at home and work. With customer impact data, an updated life-cycle analysis, and growing local partnerships, Mill is unlocking ways to keep more food out of landfills, stop food waste before it starts, and … [More]
Chris Camacho’s Next Chapter: From Regional Transformation to Global Innovation at Axon
For nearly two decades, Chris Camacho has been a driving force behind Arizona’s economic renaissance. Rising from business development roles in Yuma to helming GPEC as President & CEO since 2015, he has built a reputation for visionary leadership and formidable achievement. Now, he embarks on a new journey—joining Axon in a senior executive capacity, bringing his deep … [More]
