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More Arizona Business Economy Stories

An artists rendering of what the new buildings at the Foothills Mall would look like.

The Buzz: What is the future of Southern Arizona's shopping malls?

As the holiday shopping season kicks off, we look at how retail hubs are trying to stay relevant.
FernDiggidy Sweets & Treats dessert Mason jars are sold at the Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix, Retail Therapy AZ in Glendale and Main Street Harvest community grocer in Mesa. September 2022.

As Arizona recovers from pandemic, Black entrepreneurs still face challenges

Black business owners, who as of 2021, have the lowest entrepreneurship rates of any single race and ethnicity in the U.S.
A worker demonstrates her skills at the Chicago Women in Trades facility. Illinois was one of the top 10 states for union representation last year, at 13.9% of workers, more than 2.5 times Arizona’s rate of 5.4%, despite slow gains in the state.

Union membership in Arizona inches up

The state still trails much of the nation.
A For Rent sign in front of a home in the Sam Hughes neighborhood.

The Buzz: How the short-term rental market is changing in Arizona

The state's hold on regulations has loosened, but some municipalities want more control.

Bankruptcies in AZ dropped in 2022

Fiscal year saw filings drop by 23 percent
Sabino Canyon visitors 2017.

Pima County tourism saw strong rebound in 2021

Report commissioned by local tourism bureau says visitor spending up 77 percent
Jeffrey Berk shows off a Colombian quartz crystal to visitors at the 2022 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase after many people cancelled or postponed their travel plans in 2021 due to coronavirus concerns.

Thousands of people return to Southern Arizona for gem shows

The Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase is attracting national and international crowds.
Various denominations of U.S. currency.

Arizona minimum wage going up to $12.80 an hour on Jan. 1

Tucson voters approved another minimum wage increase earlier this year.
Flagstaff residents voted on a measure in 2016 to raise the minimum wage in the city to $15 by 2021.

Judge sides with Flagstaff over state in minimum wage fight

A judge has blocked Arizona from collecting $1.1 million from the city of Flagstaff to compensate for its minimum wage that is higher than the state's rate.
"Hope" is an important element to what the Friends of Aphasia offers members who are trying to overcome their communication disorder.

Raising awareness of aphasia, one stone at a time.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The plans to create a Tucson Gastronomy Collective to celebrate the unique flavors of Tucson; and a 5th grader and her family embark on a road trip from Sheboygan to Tucson.
An unemployment insurance claims office.

Unemployment continues slow drop

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits is going down.

Arizona unemployment above national average

The state unemployment rate crept up in February.
Superb Minerals imports its items from India and leases a 12,000 square foot warehouse in Tucson where they can be stored and sold. The Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, a vital annual event, was cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic.

How gem & mineral dealers are coping with the pandemic's impact.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: How "Blax Friday" is building community to help black-owned businesses thrive; Adiba Nelson versus her 11-year-old's "tween 'tude"; and a song from John Coinman.
An unemployment insurance claims office.

Report: Arizona on track for 11% jobs increase over 2 years

Arizona’s economy lost 155,000 jobs during the two years that ended in the second quarter of 2020, with nearly all of the job losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic

AZ weekly unemployment continues to be a mixed bag

The two major programs in the state are heading in the opposite direction.
U.S currency.

State keeping unemployment trust fund solvent

CARES Act dollars will keep unemployment fund in the black.

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