Ariz. Headed for Faster Recovery
By Victoria Harker for Chamber Business News Arizona is positioned for a faster economic recovery than the rest of the nation, and with some strategic moves on the part of state policymakers and citizens, it should jump back to a leading spot within next year or so, according to local economists. “We have the chance for this […]
ADOT Wants to Move on Broadband Initiative
By Shaq Davis for Arizona Daily Star The Arizona Department of Transportation is in the early process of exploring partnerships that would lead to broadband conduit being installed along three interstate routes. The department is following an initiative from Gov. Doug Ducey who announced in January that $50M in funding would help achieve 500 miles of broadband lines and fiber optic […]
TSMC to Build Semiconductor Plant in Phoenix
Source: Arizona Commerce Authority Governor Doug Ducey has announced that following a national search, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has selected Arizona for its new U.S. advanced semiconductor factory. The project will create more than 1,600 new high-tech jobs and generate thousands of additional jobs in the state for suppliers and other companies within the semiconductor industry. TSMC’s total spending on this project, including capital expenditure, […]
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. […]
Impacts on Budget, Lives Could be Dire
By Howard Fischer for Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Star The COVID-19 outbreak is going to blow a billion-dollar hole in state finances. And about 775 Arizonans will die by the end of May from the virus. Those predictions from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee as staffers said the decline in state revenues plus additional costs to the […]
CRE, Construction Well-represented During Crisis
By Rodric Hurdle-Bradford for Bisnow Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home order Monday to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, while naming essential businesses that can continue operations for now. CRE and construction are still on that essential services list, a status that remained intact after his executive order. “We worked closely with the governor’s office last week to submit […]
Governor Orders Hospitals to Expand Capacity
Source: Office of the Governor Doug Ducey Governor Doug Ducey has issued an Executive Order ensuring Arizona hospitals increase capacity to prepare for a potential influx of patients due to COVID-19. The order requires hospitals to increase the amount of hospital bed capacity in the state, take steps to optimize staffing levels and maximize critical resources. “Arizona is working day and night to […]
Mayor: Casa Grande is Booming
By Suzanne Adams-Ockrassa for Casa Grande Dispatch Casa Grande is booming and the future is bright, Mayor Craig McFarland said at his annual state of the city address. City housing permits are up 322 percent since 2018, McFarland said. Permits for single-family houses this year have already exceeded 140 permits. Permits for new manufacturing businesses […]
Governor Seeks US Funding for Tonto Creek Bridge
Source: Office of the Governor Doug Ducey Governor Doug Ducey sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao urging her to prioritize funding for the Tonto Creek Bridge in Gila County. Tonto Basin, which is divided by the Tonto Creek, is a 1,500-resident community in Gila County. When the Tonto Creek […]
K12 Procurement Law Change Sends Shocks
By Roland Murphy for Arizona Builder’s Exchange Legislation signed by Governor Doug Ducey last week ended a statewide teacher walkout, increased teacher pay and promised increased funding for K12 education in Arizona. It also sent A/E/C professionals around the state into a tizzy because of one section that has, to date, received little to no […]