Florence Amoako, founder of Ako International Market in Tempe, Arizona, just celebrated 20 years in business. She is one of the first to receive assistance through the via Phoenix-based Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Retail, Arts, Innovation, & Livability Community Development Corporation (RAIL). Florence Amoako immigrated to the U.S. from Ghana in West … [More]
Small Business Owners ‘Empowered’ to Advance Beyond Main St. with Accelerator Program
Small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to advance their brands, enhance their online presence and further their business acumen have the opportunity of a lifetime as Better Business Bureau Serving Pacific Southwest and GoDaddy Inc. accept applications for their 2022 Empower by GoDaddy and BBB Main St. Accelerator Program. The hybrid in-person/virtual program is open … [More]
Raising More Than $1.2M, Battle Approved Motors Proves Health of Electric Vehicle Market
Phoenix-based Battle Approved Motors (BAM), an early-stage, high-end electric UTV (utility terrain vehicle) startup raises over $1.2M, proving the health of the electric vehicle market in an otherwise tumultuous time for investors. BAM continues to contribute to the future worth of the North America Electric Vehicle Market that's expected to hit $396.94B by … [More]
Call Center Named Top Contact Center in United States, Canada
Delta Dental of Arizona, the state’s largest dental insurance company, has received multiple awards in BenchmarkPortal’s Top Contact Center Contest for its ability to provide superior customer service to its members. In the 2022 competition, Delta Dental of Arizona earned first place in the prestigious “Top Contact Center” category for contact centers with 2 to 49 agents. In … [More]
Kansas-Based Bank with Phoenix Branch Expands Restaurant Finance Group
CrossFirst Bank, a subsidiary of CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc. with a location in Phoenix, announced that it will expand its restaurant finance group that will focus on building trusted relationships with established and high-growth restaurant chains. The Bank hired Bobby Oliver to lead the restaurant finance group as Executive Director, Restaurant Finance Group. “CrossFirst … [More]
Former Tuft and Needle Execs Get Funding for New Outdoor Furniture Venture
Phoenix-based outdoor furniture brand, Neighbor, announces the closing of a Series A funding round from Strand Equity. The funding round will support new product development, team expansion, and marketing initiatives. The multi-billion-dollar outdoor furniture industry has grown significantly with increased consumer willingness to invest in quality pieces while spending more … [More]
Phoenix-Based Blood Services Provider Begins Testing All Blood Donations for COVID-19 Antibodies
When people donate lifesaving blood through Vitalant they can learn if they have antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 and find out if their plasma can be used to help COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems. For a limited time, all donations will be tested and results will be available in donors' online accounts about two weeks later. “Many … [More]
Mesa Gateway Airport Industrial Market Continues Boom with 154-Acre Development Sale
Phoenix-based Unbound Development set the table for a large-scale industrial development near Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport and recently completed a transaction with Greystar, who will now finish the process. Unbound sold the 154 acres consisting of 6 different parcels in a double escrow transaction and provides Greystar, which is one of the largest multifamily owners and … [More]
Arizona Forward’s 40th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards Celebrates Sustainability in Arizona
More than 500 business leaders, elected officials, and their guests gathered on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in anticipation to hear who the recipients would be for this year's prestigious Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence awards presented by SRP. A total of 81 projects were finalists. The biggest winner of the evening was … [More]
Dallas-Based Finance Co. Brings Better Block Project to Mesa Neighborhood
Santander Consumer USA Inc. announced its collaboration with the Better Block Foundation, an urban design nonprofit, to reimagine street and public spaces in the Southside Mesa, Arizona, community. The project will transform the location over a 120-day design process, culminating into a two-day reveal and festival on March 25 and 26. The Better Block … [More]
Inaugural Gateway Celebrity Fight Night Raised More Than $5 Million after Two Years Away
Gateway for Cancer Research, an internationally recognized philanthropic organization that has generated more than $90 million in charitable funding throughout its 27-year history, raised more than $5 million at its inaugural Gateway Celebrity Fight Night, the result of a merger between Gateway and Celebrity Fight Night in 2021. This year's event featured a "Stardust Dreams" … [More]
Valley Metro Names New CEO
The Valley Metro Board of Directors announced Jessica Mefford-Miller as the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer. Mefford-Miller joins Valley Metro with 15 years of experience connecting people and places through transit in the St. Louis, MO region. She joins the agency after coming out on top of an extensive, nationwide search following CEO Scott Smith’s retirement … [More]
EXPO Brings New Business and Job Opportunities to Phoenix, Mar. 18 & 19
Thousands of Arizona entrepreneurs, business owners and brand representatives will gather at the Phoenix Convention Center this Friday and Saturday, March 18-19, for Franchise Expo West. The event – sponsored by the International Franchise Association – is a chance for Phoenix residents to learn about the fast-growing franchising industry, which continues to lead Arizona’s … [More]
Phoenix Named a Top Growth Market for Big-Box Industrial Sector
Phoenix was named the No. 2 top growth market in North America for large-warehouse leasing activity, following Houston, with 10.5 percent of its inventory absorbed in 2021, according to a new report from CBRE. Transactions nationwide for big-box warehouses – those of 200,000 sq. ft. or larger – hit new highs in 2021, as retailers added safety stock to limit supply chain … [More]
Arizona-Based Cannabis Dispensary Expands in Denver through Acquisition
Item 9 Labs Corp. — a vertically integrated cannabis dispensary franchisor and operator that produces premium, award-winning products — announced today that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "APA") with The Herbal Cure, a medicinal and recreational dispensary and cultivator operating in Denver, Colorado. The Herbal Cure was founded in 2010 and generated revenues … [More]
Chandler-Based Financial Co. Announces New Arizona Mortgage Branch
Geneva Financial (Geneva), a direct mortgage lender operating in 46 states, has announced the opening of a new branch location in Phoenix, AZ led by Branch Manager Brian Mulvihill. The opening of this new branch provides opportunities for local borrowers and buyers looking to navigate the current housing market in Geneva's home state and beyond. "Geneva has … [More]
Solar Co-Op Launches for Maricopa County Businesses and Homeowners to Go Solar
Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) recently announced the launch of the Maricopa County Solar Co-op to help residents go solar. “The co-op will enable Maricopa homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, Arizona program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re … [More]
Moov Announces New Tempe HQ, Plans to Triple Headcount in 2022
Moov, a data-fueled marketplace for used semiconductor manufacturing equipment, today announced the location of its new headquarters in the 100 Mill building in Tempe, Arizona. Moov will command the 16th floor, spanning about 32,000 square feet, at 100 Mill. That 18-story tower is among the premier commercial real estate locations in Greater Phoenix. Amazon and Deloitte also … [More]
