Tag: Economic Development

A recent survey found that weekly wage earnings at small businesses across Phoenix were $874.07 last month, up nearly 5 percent from September 2017. This uptick earned Phoenix the top spot among U.S. cities over the past 12 months. The survey gauges small-business wage and employment trends on a national, regional, state, metro and industry basis.

In addition to Phoenix, Riverside, California, Denver, Los Angeles and Minneapolis rounded out the top five markets.

The numbers did drop during the summer months. This is not unusual in Phoenix, given the tourism season occurs during winter and spring months.

– Paychex-IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch reports

Prenexus Health has announced Gilbert, Arizona, as the location for its prebiotic ingredient manufacturing and corporate headquarters. The facility will occupy 39,000 square feet at AZ|60 in Gilbert’s northwest corridor and is set to be operational in December 2018.

Prenexus Health joins a growing number of innovative science-based companies who have expanded operations in Greater Phoenix to attract and reach a growing customer base. The site in Gilbert allows Prenexus Health to go to scale by tapping into local resources and a dynamic talent pool that are ready and willing to support its current and future growth.

– Chris Camacho, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

After visiting Yuma, Arizona, two months ago to meet with city leadership, military representatives, higher education officials, economic development and the airport, Mesa-headquartered AQST Space Systems Group, LLC announced it is moving its manufacturing facilities to Yuma.

The AQST team was pleased to learn about Yuma’s friendly business environment, turnkey facilities and infrastructure and the support available at the airport, including a veteran transition program for employment and opportunities to develop degree programs in support of AQST’s operations.

AQST is taking advantage of the existing Joe Foss Hangar in the Defense Contractor Complex created by the Yuma International Airport.

– Gladys D. Brown, C.M., C.A.E., Yuma International Airport & Rolle Airfield

Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) has opened a $4.5 million regional technology and service delivery center in Mesa, Arizona, which will house 500-plus employees. This increases Cognizant’s statewide workforce to nearly 3,000 employees across facilities in Phoenix, Chandler and Mesa as it addresses demand for specialized digital technology and business process services.

Cognizant also announced a partnership with Maricopa Corporate College to provide technical training for digital economy jobs. Training will be provided at no cost to those selected to participate. Courses held at Maricopa Corporate College starting this fall will focus on Application Support and Infrastructure Services.

– Rick Lacroix, Cognizant

Sun Corridor Inc. reported nearly a dozen projects completed as part of its FY17-18 successes. Among them:

• Amazon selected Tucson for an 855,000-square-foot high-tech fulfillment center.

• Citigroup is adding 639 positions in southern Arizona, which is expected to create a five-year economic impact of $771 million.

• GEICO is building a new regional office in Tucson. The project is expected to create a five-year economic impact of $620 million.

• Mister Car Wash is expanding its Tucson-based headquarters. The project is expected to create a five-year economic impact of $54 million.

Read more.

– Laura Shaw, Sun Corridor Inc.

The Marshall Foundation, a private foundation that has donated approximately $23 million to nonprofits in Pima County since its founding in 1930, has entered into an agreement with developers to create an urban gathering place at Main Gate Square near the University of Arizona campus.

The 14-story Graduate Hotel & The Collective Apartments at Main Gate will be built at 930 E. 2nd St., on land owned by the Marshall Foundation. The project will also feature 6,000 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of July 2020.

– Jane McCollum, Marshall Foundation

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) has launched a new, interactive map that identifies statewide assets and resources, such as infrastructure, land ownership, educational resources and community profiles. The Arizona Assets Map was developed by the ACA to assist businesses considering relocation or expansion in Arizona as well as visitors and citizens.

Boundaries of legislative districts, tribal lands, military installations, Opportunity Zones and mines in Arizona are identified. The Arizona Assets Map also allows for a statewide search of points of interest, including schools, libraries, hospitals, airports, arts and cultural landmarks and outdoor activities like state and national parks and monuments.

– Arizona Commerce Authority

Arizona Mining, Inc. recently released a study, conducted by the L. William Seidman Research Institute and the W.P. Carey School of Business, reporting its Hermosa Project will have an impact on Arizona of $21.6 billion in GDP, $8.5 billion in disposable personal income and $860 million in state government revenues.

The Hermosa Project, a high-grade zinc-lead-silver resource located near Patagonia, is expected to be constructed/produced over the next 33 years. The study also noted the project will employ an average of 451 workers and will support an average of 3,225 additional jobs.

– Susan Muir, Arizona Mining Inc.