News from 2015


Water quality grant to target three Arizona waterways

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) are allotting more than $686,000 in funds to protect water and wildlife along three Arizona waterways.

Arizona Corporation Commission launches special counsel office

The Arizona Corporation Commission recently created a special counsel position and appointed attorney Christopher Kempley to the new management post to handle ethics matters, records requests and other issues.

Gladstone acquires 1,239 acres, ‘top-tier tenant’ in Arizona

Virginia-based Gladstone Land Corp. said Monday it purchased 1,239 acres near Willcox, Arizona - two-thirds of which is irrigated and potential farmland - for approximately $5.7 million.

Arizona auditor general releases report on state lease excise tax

To address whether Arizona’s government property lease excise tax (GPLET) delivers adequate revenue at a local level, Auditor General Debra Davenport recently released a report with recommendations based on input from area leaders in Phoenix.

The year in review: Arizona Business Daily’s top 10 stories of 2015

High-tech, health care, manufacturing, automotive business, pharmaceutical research and educational incentives led the list of Arizona Business Daily’s most-read stories this year.

Adelante Healthcare center launches new central Phoenix branch

Arizona-based Adelante Healthcare recently opened a new 5,500-square-foot family health center facility in central Phoenix to provide family, internal and pediatric medicine.

California sheriff's office turns to Mesa's MD Helicopters for new craft

To improve its overall aerial surveillance and crime-fighting operations, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office in California recently placed an order for a high-performance MD 530F helicopter from Mesa-based MD Helicopters Inc.

Southern Arizona hospitals, Blue Cross sign three-year pact

Southern Arizona health care consumers will continue to enjoy a choice in providers following a contract signed recently between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), Northwest Medical Center and Oro Valley Hospital.

Riverside Resources fine-tunes Croesus Gold Corp. contract for Arizona’s Sugarloaf Peak gold project

Riverside Resources Inc., a mineral exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, said recently it amended its agreement with the privately owned Croesus Gold Corp. regarding the 9.2-square-mile Sugarloaf Peak gold project mining operation in La Paz County, Arizona.

EPA allocates $25 million to Arizona for water treatment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently designated $25 million for Arizona’s water infrastructure to improve overall water quality and to reduce pollution.

AGC’s Arizona chapter opposes Tempe’s draft ordinance on mandatory paid sick leave

Companies based in Tempe or doing business in Tempe would be required to provide paid sick leave for all their employees if a draft ordinance proposed by social activists and unions is approved by the Tempe City Council.

Industrial Nanotech expands to Arizona homebuilding market

Industrial Nanotech Inc., an energy saving solutions manufacturing business and nanoscience research firm, recently launched its first Arizona office in Phoenix to support builders using the company’s patented structural coatings for walls and roofs.

Bridgeway Health Solutions announces winner of Centene Physician Summit Award

Tempe's Bridgeway Health Solutions, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, recently honored Optum Clinical Service Manager Patti Summers with its 2015 Physician Summit Award for Excellence.

Arizona Free Enterprise Club: ACA should aid all businesses, not 'pick winners'

The best way to promote a vibrant and prosperous economy in Arizona is by lowering the regulatory and tax burdens for all businesses, both new and existing, rather than just a select few, Scot Mussi, president of the nonprofit advocacy group Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC), said recently.

'Monkey business' tops list of year’s most ridiculous lawsuits

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) issued its "Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits for 2015" on Monday with an animal rights group’s suit involving a monkey’s "selfie" photo topping the survey.

Arizona insurance director to also fill in as interim financial institutions chief

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said last week that Arizona Department of Insurance Director Andy Tobin will serve as interim superintendent of the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions to replace outgoing Superintendent Lauren Kingry, who resigned.

Anheuser-Busch to acquire Arizona's Four Peaks Brewing Company

Anheuser-Busch said last week that Arizona craft brewer Four Peaks Brewing Company will become the sixth business in its The High End craft and import line after its acquisition.

Flake introduces Ratepayer Fairness Act

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) recently initiated legislation in Congress with U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) to start a process designed to assess whether utility rates are distributed equitably among users.

Phoenix-based Best Western Hotels announces new chairman

Terry Porter, who has extensive hotel branding experience in the western U.S., was recently elected chairman of the board of Phoenix-based Best Western Hotels & Resorts for 2016.

Flake supports extended U.S.-Cuba relations

Observing the one-year mark of President Barack Obama’s renewal of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations, U.S. Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) sent a letter last week to Obama supporting continued interaction between the nations.