Phoenix Business Journal serves Arizona’s premier businesses by providing weekly news and daily online and email updates. Members include Arizona law firms, colleges and universities, general contractors, real estate developers, hotels, and other public entities.
In 1914, the city adopted a council-manager form of government to bring better city government.
History
Phoenix has experienced decades of remarkable development. Now Arizona’s corporate and industrial center, this city still maintains a longstanding tradition of friendliness among its inhabitants and their government.
Railroads and canals gave us unprecedented prosperity, opening up new avenues of opportunity and expanding our population quickly. Small industries made inroads into our city while larger firms established branch plants here.
By the turn of the century, its population had skyrocketed to more than 105,000 and continued expanding rapidly. There were 148 miles of paved streets within its borders and 163 unpaved ones.
During this period of rapid expansion, residents were focused on bettering the quality of life within their community. New social outlets emerged, such as the Women’s Club and Friday Club; additionally, a public library opened its doors at First Avenue and Washington Street in 1900 with two upstairs rooms of Fleming Building housing this institution.
Fresh Start Women’s Foundation was honored and thrilled to be included as one of 19 stories featured in this publication, allowing readers to vote on their favorite narrative. Thank you, readers, for being part of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation’s success and helping our organization secure funds!
Business & Industry
Business and industry are often used interchangeably, yet each refers to two distinct concepts. Company refers to exchanging goods and services for money, while industry refers to manufacturing those products and providing these services. Businesses include any organization or company involved with commerce, such as a private corporation, institution, firm, person, or group involved with trading, manufacturing, or providing services.
Joe Martin writes for Phoenix Business Journal and explores one of ASU Tempe’s latest additions – McCord Hall – housing graduate programs offered by W. P. Carey School of Business. Its $57 million cost and impressive amenities set it apart from other business school facilities.
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Education & Training
Employees typically dread year-end reviews as it can be an uncomfortable process of employee/manager relations or an opportunity to gain knowledge from others. However, proper preparation and clear communication can become an enjoyable and fruitful experience for all involved.
Arizona-based Ascend Learning, recognized as Best Midsize Company mes Ascend Learning, has been honored as one of the Best Workplaces by Phoenix Business Journal based on a confidential survey regarding company culture, management effectiveness, and employee satisfaction.
McCord Hall at ASU Tempe campus garners some press from Phoenix Business Journal A recent article by Joe Martin in Phoenix Business Journal provided additional coverage of ASU Tempe’s McCord Hall, the $57 million facility housing graduate programs available at W. P. Carey School of Business as well as providing an environment designed to facilitate collaboration.
Arizona State University outranked last year in a national study by American City Business Journals, publisher of Phoenix Business Journal. ASU rose nine spots to finish as one of 477 public universities studied, while the University of Arizona fell 20 places to 99th overall.
Bre and I attended a Meet the Newsroom event hosted by Phoenix Business Journal this week, giving us an excellent opportunity to meet several journalists from their newspaper and learn more about what their projects entailed, as well as put names with faces!
Real Estate & Development
Even as the top employer on the 2022 Best Places to Work list, Achieve — which manages digital personal finance for millions of customers nationwide — continues to expand its Arizona operation. Achieve recently purchased an industrial building on Polk Street near its Tempe headquarters and is developing new hubs in Florida, Texas, and California.
Contractors poured concrete on multiple major industrial projects in the East Valley this month, according to Lee & Associates – and this could attract tenants taking advantage of its strong economy. Demand comes from industries like semiconductor and electric vehicle production and immigrants moving in from overseas.
Lee & Associates Arizona’s Mc2 team leases, sells, and develops industrial properties throughout Arizona’s Sky Harbor and Southeast Valley markets, particularly Sky Harbor. Led by Ken McQueen and Chris McClurg, who collectively have 52 years of experience.
RED Development and Macerich are among the major developers in Metro Phoenix who are taking steps to redevelop former malls, with projects designed to breathe new life into these properties and spur redevelopment of nearby offices, hotels, apartments, and grocery stores – projects which could spark economic expansion in Phoenix.
Arts & Culture
Phoenix Business Journal is Arizona’s go-to local and regional business news source. Covering topics including economic trends, business strategy, finance, and technology, its editorial content is intelligent yet approachable, while its feature articles offer insight. In addition, Phoenix Business Journal also offers special sections and annual reports tailored specifically towards industries.
Achieve was recently honored by Phoenix Business Journal’s list of “Best Places to Work” and one of America’s “Healthiest Employers.” Rankings are determined through confidential employee surveys on workplace culture, management effectiveness, and employee engagement at Achieve locations nationwide. Furthermore, Achieve recently welcomed Kingsley Forde, who will oversee diversity and inclusion initiatives in Phoenix area offices.
The City of Phoenix recently awarded $5 Million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to arts and culture nonprofits that experienced revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency recovery grants will assist organizations in managing operations, personnel, commitment, and strategies for long-term sustainability beyond pandemic conditions. The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture will manage this grant program using their years of experience providing local arts leadership to communities nationwide; Mitch Menchaca previously led the Local Arts Advancement Department at Americans for the Arts in Washington D.C. as well as serving on DataArts and Chorus America boards of board membership.
Sports
Phoenix leaders and business owners are hopeful the 2023 Super Bowl will provide an economic boon. State Farm Stadium has hosted significant events, including two previous Super Bowls, two NFL Championship games, and the 2017 NCAA Final Four basketball championship.
Attracting major sporting events to the Valley is crucial financially and as a marketing opportunity to draw tourists in from out of state. At a panel discussion moderated by Phoenix Business Journal at Heritage at Sportsman’s Park, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill and Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority president Tom Sadler spoke about hosting significant events for residents and visitors.
Mike Sunnucks, senior business reporter of the Phoenix Business Journal, is set to leave to join SportsBusiness Journal (a sister publication of ACBJ) as an observer covering venues (stadiums, arenas, and ballparks) and fan experience as a writer. He will begin this role on April 16.
