TechTalk eNews: December 2021

Marcus Engineering named 2021 Small Business of the Year by Pima County; Arizona Science Center names Guy Labine new president and CEO; inside Intel‘s $20B Arizona investment to reclaim America’s semiconductor dominance; Honeywell to acquire U.S. Digital Designs, Inc. to expand safety communications capabilities; ed-tech company Zovio appoints Randy Hendricks as new CEO; bioscience nonprofit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) created $658M economic impact in Arizona in 2020; why Carvana purchased 150 acres in Surprise for a facility that could employ hundreds; Axosoft changes name to GitKraken and hires Matt Johnston as new CEO; TekSystems Global Services and Best Western® Hotels & Resorts extend partnership; Nikola buys Phoenix HQ for $25M; Arizona Commerce Authority announces awardees for 2021 Arizona Innovation Challenge; Leonardo Electronics US Inc. expands semiconductor laser manufacturing facility in Oro Valley; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona grants more than $395K to help fight diabetes; Viavi Solutions makes Inc.’s inaugural ‘Best Led Companies in America’ list; executive director of University of Arizona Center for Innovation joins International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) board of directors; Intel, Kudelski Security and other AZ organizations join public-private organization to research blockchain tech; the awards and recognition keep rolling in for medical device company SaiOx Inc.; regents approve millions in new research funding for Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona; and an 18-member coalition led by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) wins $500K federal grant for health care innovation project. Read the complete update >>

Tune in to the Council’s last TechCast episode of 2021 TODAY, December 17 from 1:00-2:00pm on Phoenix Business RadioX.

Despite being on the tail end of a pandemic and facing supply chain challenges, Arizona has become an epicenter for electric vehicles, semiconductors and other rising industries. Tune in today to hear experts from Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Sun Corridor Inc. and Arizona Commerce Authority reflect on the obstacles and victories of 2021 and predict what is in store for 2022.

Listen >>

The 2022 Phoenix Golf Tournament will be here before you know it! Register today to golf with the business and technology community at Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills.

The 12th annual Phoenix Golf Tournament will bring industry leaders and technologists together for a day of networking and sportsmanship. Register now as the 2021 Tournament sold out with over 125 golfers attending. The tournament will be followed by lunch, raffle prizes and an awards presentation.

Register now >>

Q3 Impact Report reveals technology industry jobs, wages and companies continue to increase

In its recently released Q3 2021 Impact Report, the Council discovered that the year-over-year rise in the number of jobs (2.64%), wages (2.96%) and Arizona-based technology companies (5.43%) show positive signs of growth in the state.

Read more >>

Female business owners in Tucson push for representation

At the Council’s Women in the Workforce event on November 19, accomplished women from the Council, Ruda-Cardinal; Daisy Jenkins & Associates, LLC; Styne Hill & Associates, LLC; and the City of Tucson advocated for women representation in Arizona’s tech industry.

Read more >>

My View: New legislation offers hope for a reenergized future in America

Steve Zylstra, Council president and CEO claims that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill recently signed into law by President Joe Biden and the Build Back Better Act that is still the topic of congressional discussions feature components to give us hope for a reenergized future in America.

Read more >>

Their take: Arizona Technology Council commends U.S. House for passing BBBA

The U.S. House passed President Biden’s Build Back Better Act (BBBA), heavily supported by the Council, sending the jobs and climate measures to the U.S. Senate. The BBBA is the most significant investment in clean energy to counteract climate change in U.S. history.

Read more >>

The Council’s Political Action Committee advocates for tech companies at the local, state and federal level, thoroughly vets political candidates and endorses those with proven track records in supporting pro-tech legislation. By donating, you’re taking a stand for technology and bolstering Arizona’s economic recovery.  

ASU Industrial Assessment Center 

The ASU Industrial Assessment Center is offering free energy audits for manufacturers, commercial buildings and rural businesses. Please reach out to [email protected] to schedule an audit at your convenience.

Ideas Collide

Ideas Collide offers turnkey marketing content, compelling brand design, advanced marketing automation and inspiring advertising campaigns for your brand’s every need. Reach out to http://ideascollide.com/contact today to collaboratively create your custom solution.

Kick off the New Year celebrating Arizona Photonics Days in Tucson with leaders in optics and photonics innovation.

Join Optics Valley and the Arizona Technology Council for Arizona Photonics Days from January 19-21 in Tucson to hear keynote presentations and network with industry experts.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend presentations on quantum information science, biomedical technology, astronomy, sensing and metrology and laser technology. Register by Monday, December 20 to secure early-bird pricing!

Register now >> 

Proposed energy rules would strengthen state’s competitive edge; Zero Electric Vehicles partners with AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care to electrify vehicles; Arizona regulators poised to vote on new state clean-energy rules; new battery storage facilities coming to Phoenix as U.S. fights China’s production dominance; Amazon investing in 274 renewable energy projects globally, including solar projects in Arizona; Phoenix conglomerate eyes electric vehicle market with battery company acquisition; Kore Power CEO Lindsay Gorrill is taking charge and building a battery manufacturing ecosystem in Arizona; why Lucid and Rivian have a real shot at becoming the next Tesla; massive, 2,800-acre solar project planned for West Valley near Tonopah; why Arizona needs a statewide renewable energy plan; 4 ways Phoenix benefits from the infrastructure bill; and electric car investment could zoom past $500B and Arizona is riding shotgun. Read the full report >>

AZTC is a one-stop shop for your benefits needs.

The Council prioritizes simplifying the lives of business owners so they can focus on bringing their missions to life. That’s why we’ve become a one-stop shop to help you build out your benefits program.

Learn how AZTC can enhance your benefits strategy through our competitive health insurance bundle, 401(k) plan and PEO administration offerings.

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BlueYonder  |  cStor  |  Encora  |  Involta  |  Keap  |  Michael Beach Consulting  |  MSS Business Transformation Advisory
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Sun Corridor Inc.  |  University of Arizona Tech Parks  |  Wallace Plese + Dreher

Visit www.aztechcouncil.org/tech-events to view all of the Council’s upcoming virtual tech networking opportunities, engaging virtual tech events and in-person tech events.