AZ Construction Continues Growth Despite Pandemic
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX Sales tax data available on AZEconomy.org, published by the University of Arizona Economic and Business Research Center, shows a surprising trend: construction in Arizona has risen despite the broad economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 health epidemic. At the BEX Annual Construction Forecast event in January 2020, BEX researchers presented data that projected strong growth across the industry. Once COVID-19 hit in full […]
Uncertainty Forces Economic Developers to Pivot
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX The diversity of East Valley cities was on full display at the August 12th, 2020 Leading Market Series discussion hosted by BEX. Economic development directors from the cities of Mesa and Scottsdale, along with the Town of Queen Creek, identified their unique challenges and goals in bringing in new employers to their municipality, especially during a time when […]
Retail & Hospitality to Get Worse Before Improving
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, BEX held a panel discussion regarding upcoming retail, hospitality, and entertainment projects in the Valley and beyond. Participants included Jeff Mills, Project Executive for PENTA Building Group, Dave Sellers, President & CEO of LGE Design Build, and Aaron Studebaker, Community Development Project Manager for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC). The discussion was moderated by Rebekah Morris, […]
West Valley Benefiting from Years of Branding Efforts
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX On Wednesday, July 8th, nearly 80 people attended the BEX Virtual Leading Market Series discussion highlighting current and upcoming economic development happenings in the Central and West Valley of Phoenix. Panelists included Lori German, Communications Director for the City of Glendale, Sintra Hoffman, President and CEO of Westmarc, Christine Mackay, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Phoenix and David Roderique, Economic Development […]
AZ Construction is Faring Better than Expected
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX Two major indicators of construction market activity have come out for March/April 2020 and both are surprisingly positive. Total statewide construction activity is now available for March 2020, and it shows no signs of the COVID-19 economic slowdown, which took effect in the middle of the month. Additionally, statewide construction employment for […]
Preparing for Eventual Construction Downturn
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX Business as usual will not last long. As Arizona construction projects continue for the most part, a near total economic shutdown is happening all around us. The abrupt economic shock is resulting in dramatic increases in unemployment and simultaneous record-setting federal government stimulus spending. At some point, economic contraction translates into less demand for construction. […]
Arizona Continues Push for More Hospital Beds
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX The State of Arizona is continuing on with a push for expanded medical facilities, even as revised projections for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are trending down. The state is preparing for a worst-case scenario to ensure that any surge in demand for medical facilities can be met. In a press conference on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Dr. Cara […]
BEX LMS: Healthcare & Construction During COVID-19
By Rebekah Morris for AZBEX Nearly 80 individuals logged onto the first-ever virtual delivery of the BEX Leading Market Series. Healthcare was always meant to be the topic for the April 2nd event; however, in the last few weeks the questions drastically changed, and the relevance of the topic took on new meaning. Panelists included: Mark Barkenbush, senior project executive for Banner Health, Chad Halmrast, contract executive for Southland Industries, and AJ Thomas, Healthcare […]
PWC Sharpens Focus on Sector’s Future Opportunities
By Sammy Williams for AZBEX If your Starbucks run includes a PSL (that’s a Pumpkin Spice Latte), then it’s a sure bet the season of Capital Improvement Plans is upon us. To mark this occasion where municipalities debut their fiscal year plans for new construction, expansion and maintenance, BEX hosted more than 200 attendees at […]
LMS Checks in on AZ’s Hospitality Industry
By Sammy Williams for AZBEX The latest in the BEX Leading Market Series found attendees gathered at SkySong in Scottsdale on Thursday, August 1st to discuss the current state of the hospitality sector. BEX Vice President of Operations Rachel Pratt kicked off the breakfast with an overview of the hospitality industry, which is comprised of […]