Arizona’s public universities are driving the state’s rise as a national hub for engineering and technology talent. With Arizona among the fastest-growing states in the nation and demand accelerating across the semiconductor, health care and tech sectors, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are producing skilled graduates who are … [More]
Arizona at the Forefront of Aerospace and Defense
As the Paris Air Show kicks off, Arizona’s premier aerospace and defense (A&D) attractiveness is once again on the global stage. Home to some of the world’s largest A&D companies, innovative startups, and next-generation technologies and manufacturing, Arizona is at the forefront of the aerospace and defense industry. Over the last five years, Arizona has attracted … [More]
EV Innovator Expands Valley Footprint With New Hub
Lucid Group, Inc. maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, announced the opening of its Phoenix Hub facility in Arizona, following the company’s acquisition of select Nikola assets in early April. The new Lucid facility marks a strategic expansion for the company, furthering its manufacturing, product development and warehousing footprint while advancing the … [More]
Powering Arizona’s Remarkable Growth; Utility’s Response to Increased Commercial and Industrial Demand
As Arizona’s population and economy continue to grow, so does the state’s appetite for electricity. APS’s customer base, which for decades leaned heavily residential, is now more diversified than ever before. A robust increase in commercial and industrial customers in our service territory – including new chip manufacturing and expanding data center operations – is leading to … [More]
Small Business Optimism Increases in May
Taxes are now small business owners’ single most important problem
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased by three points in May to 98.8, slightly above the 51-year average of 98. Expected business conditions and sales expectations contributed the most to the rise in the index. The Uncertainty Index rose two points from April to 94. Eighteen percent of small business owners reported taxes as their single most important problem, up … [More]
Main Street Labor Market Weakened in May
Small business owners continue searching for qualified applicants
NFIB’s May jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in May, unchanged from April, and the lowest since January 2021. “Amid uncertainty, small business owners’ hiring plans remain subdued in May,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Compensation pressures have also eased offering some much needed … [More]
$10.5M Grant to Revitalize News Industry through ASU’s Knight Center for the Future of News
Powered by funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and an additional $4 million investment from Arizona State University the Knight Center for the Future of News at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication aims to transform and strengthen the American news ecosystem. Upon its official launch July 1, the … [More]
Ready to Roll: Celebrating Major Transportation Projects across the Region
Two of the Valley’s most high-profile transportation projects are nearing completion, and the week of June 2–7 marks a regional celebration of this long-awaited progress. The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), in partnership with regional and local agencies, is launching Ready to Roll Week, a celebration showcasing newly completed infrastructure, key safety … [More]
Verizon Business Launches Vehicle-to-Everything Connected-Driving Platform, ACA Partners
Arizona Commerce Authority the first partner to sign on for the Edge Transportation Exchange platform
Verizon Business has commercially launched Edge Transportation Exchange, a mobile-network vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication platform for connected vehicles, with multiple customers already signed on, including the Arizona Commerce Authority. Following a successful U.S. Department of Transportation and 5G Automotive Association joint demonstration, the Arizona … [More]
VC Joins $51M Arizona AI Data Center Land Deal
Arizona Land Consulting (ALC), Arizona’s AI data center investment fund led by Anita Verma-Lallian, has closed on a landmark $51 million land deal, further solidifying its position as a driving force in the state’s AI infrastructure race. In a major vote of confidence, renowned venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya has joined the investment group backing the deal, alongside … [More]
Chemical Logistics Co. Announces Opening of Chemical Logistic Facility in Casa Grande
NRS Logistics America, a leading chemical-logistics company providing transport, storage and distribution, and asset leasing services for the chemical and industrial markets, announced the opening of its Chemical Logistic Park in Casa Grande, Arizona. A joint venture company between NRS Corporation and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport … [More]
Survey Shows Diverging Industry-Specific Small Business Optimism
Quarterly survey focuses on the construction, manufacturing, retail, and services industries
The NFIB Research Center released an industry-specific quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey highlighting the construction, manufacturing, retail, and services industries. According to the report, the Optimism Index across the four reported industries decreased from the previous quarter. Despite this decline, optimism in the construction, manufacturing, and services … [More]
Banner Health Breaks Ground on Scottsdale Medical Campus
Banner Health officially broke ground today on the new Banner Health Center plus in Scottsdale, launching the first phase of a comprehensive medical campus. The nearly 120,000-square-foot building will include a surgery center, Banner Family Pharmacy, Banner Imaging, and a wide range of primary and specialty physician services all under one roof. “Today’s groundbreaking … [More]
Data Center Developer Announces Expansion of Metro Phoenix Infrastructure
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, a wholesale data center developer, owner and operator, announced the acquisition of an additional 43.87 acres of land in Mesa, Arizona and expanded data center capacity designed to deliver 450 MW+ to its hyperscale customers. This new parcel of land more than doubles the buildable acreage EdgeCore controls in Mesa. “Today’s expansion … [More]
STARLUX Airlines Announce Phoenix’s First Nonstop Flight to Asia
STARLUX Airlines intends to begin new nonstop flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport. The service, pending final government approvals, would begin early next year, with three to four flights a week. This is the first nonstop air service to Asia for Phoenix and Arizona. Mayor Kate Gallego shared the news in her annual State of … [More]
Solar and Storage Co. Conversion Announces U.S. Headquarters in Mesa
Apex Power Conversion, a solar and storage company, announced the ribbon cutting of its United States headquarters and manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona in conjunction with the American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER 2025 Expo at Phoenix Convention Center. This 206,000 square-foot facility, currently used for customer engagement and product training, will be … [More]
Energy Co. Announces Manufacturing Expansion in Goodyear
GTI Energy, a division of Buffalo based GTI Fabrication, a leading contract manufacturer of mission critical equipment, announced plans of a $33 million initial investment, with plans to invest another $20 million to open a 530,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at Lakin Park in Goodyear, Arizona. The strategic expansion is driven by increasing demand in the renewable … [More]
Arizona Retailers: New Law Targets Transnational Criminal Networks Exploiting Consumers
Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB 1351 into law, a critical piece of legislation aimed at addressing the concern of gift card fraud in Arizona. Once considered isolated incidents, gift card fraud has evolved into a coordinated operation run by transnational criminal organizations. These networks exploit consumers, retailers, and gift card processors, using stolen redemption … [More]
