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Character Counts for Loan Support from the Community-Managed...

Part of the IMPACT Stories series by State of Black Arizona. The impact of alternative financing opportunities and capital access for small businesses Keneshia Raymond builds businesses for a living. Thirteen years of working in her own businesses (in the wedding industry, tech, education, etc.) and with other entities helping early-stage entrepreneurs and fundraising for […]

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Ambassador Event: The Future of Aerospace & Defense

Industry experts explored the legacy of aerospace and defense in Greater Phoenix and strategies to ensure the sector’s future growth Greater Phoenix and Arizona have long been at the forefront of the U.S. aerospace and defense (A&D) industry due to strategic positioning, impactful military presence, a robust natural resource base and sizable private employers that […]

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Arizona Black Chamber Supports Businesses Through Impact...

Part of the IMPACT Stories series by State of Black Arizona. How Impact AZ sets the stage to close the racial wealth gap for Black-owned Arizona businesses The August 2022 State of Black Business report made waves when it was released. The research highlighted stubbornly large financial gaps for Black-owned businesses which, overall, still are […]

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We Rise Accelerates Growth for Black-Owned Businesses

Part of the IMPACT Stories series by State of Black Arizona. Increasing the number, longevity and clout of Black-owned enterprises Arizona’s Black residents represent six percent of the state’s population, but Black-owned businesses account for just three percent of all businesses and 1.5 percent of employer businesses (those with more than 1 employee). Thousands more […]

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City of Tempe and Community Partners Support Manufacturing...

Part of the IMPACT Stories series by State of Black Arizona. How the City of Tempe BIPOC Manufacturing Program is growing opportunities for Black, Indigenous and people of color entrepreneurs Black-owned businesses have been most visible in health and social assistance fields and consumer sectors. Whether due to an overriding drive to serve residents or […]

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Blax Friday – A Statewide Directory Celebrates Black-Owned...

Part of the IMPACT Stories series by State of Black Arizona. Celebrate, support and expand black business — impact for Arizona More than 20 years ago, two Black San Francisco entrepreneurs created Black Business Month, which is observed nationally every August. They sought to celebrate the Black business community’s accomplishments and the significant potential it […]

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Arizona artist spotlight: Christina Rosepapa

Meet Gilbert-based artist Christina Rosepapa featured in our Snapshot of Greater Phoenix Exhibit What do you find most rewarding about being an artist in Greater Phoenix? As an Arizona artist and resident for over 16 years, I continue to be impressed with how much the art scene in Greater Phoenix has grown over the years. […]

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What makes Greater Phoenix so great: Brody Cameron

Tell us a little about yourself: I was born in Northern California, but grew up in Mesa. Currently, I’m pursuing a degree in Urban Planning at ASU and plan to graduate in in the Spring of 2025. I love thrifting, going to coffee shops, and hiking (when it’s not too hot). How long have you […]

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Aerial view of Greater Phoenix with mountains and a sunset in the background

Greater Phoenix is Bucking the Trend in Key Economic...

By Chris Camacho and Kristen Stephenson Strategic economic development in motion is most evident when outsized impacts on the economy are seen. Greater Phoenix is now bucking national trends in unemployment, in-migration and inflation with all three indicators positively impacting each other, signaling the region’s intentional growth and resilient economy are supporting businesses, the workforce and […]

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Downtown Phoenix Skyline Landscape

International and innovative growth in Greater Phoenix

Originally published in Site Selection Magazine. With a strategic location, supportive infrastructure and business-friendly environment, Greater Phoenix is experiencing remarkable international business momentum and has consistently ranked as a top market for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. This ascent is supported by a significant increase in advanced manufacturing while the region becomes a […]

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