Metro Phoenix

06/07/2026

EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) projects that data centers could consume 17% of U.S. electricity by 2030. Arizona’s demand may climb even faster than the national average. As a result, Phoenix now offers an early look at how AI infrastructure could reshape regional planning. It also highlights emerging solutions and workforce skills for professionals entering the industry.

Metro Phoenix leads the nation in AI power demand and grid innovation. However, utilities, developers, and policymakers must add new generation capacity, deploy flexible software, and implement smarter regulations to manage growth responsibly.

Data Centers Consuming Electricity EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) projects that data centers could consume 17% of U.S. electricity by 2030. Arizona’s demand may climb even faster than the national average. As a result, Phoenix now offers an early look at how AI infrastructure could resha...

06/05/2026

Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise, Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, and Peoria ranked among the top 75 boomtowns in the country. SmartAsset.com analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities with populations above 65,000 to identify the nation’s fastest-growing communities. The study measured five-year growth in economic output, housing inventory, and labor force size to create a composite ranking. No other Arizona cities made the list. Florida and Texas led all states with 19 and 18 boomtowns respectively. No other region had more boomtowns listed than Metro Phoenix.

U.S. Cities Ranked Buckeye, Goodyear, Surprise, Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, and Peoria ranked among the top 75 boomtowns in the country. SmartAsset analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities with populations above 65,000 to identify the nation’s fastest-growing communities. The study measured five-year ...

06/05/2026

Greystone has secured $141 million in construction financing for The Hampton Group‘s IKONIC Scottsdale project, a new 14-story luxury apartment tower planned in North Scottsdale. Bank OZK provided the senior mortgage, while Related Fund Management supplied mezzanine financing.

Tallest Tower in North Scottsdale Greystone has secured $141 million in construction financing for The Hampton Group's IKONIC Scottsdale project, a new 14-story luxury apartment tower planned in North Scottsdale. Bank OZK provided the senior mortgage, while Related

06/02/2026

Arizona now ranks No. 1 in the nation for semiconductors, according to Business Facilities, and is among the top states for semiconductor investment, with more than $210 billion in capital investment since 2020.

06/02/2026

Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison Home Corporation and Berkshire Hathaway have entered into a transaction agreement under which Berkshire Hathaway will acquire Taylor Morrison for $72.50 per share in cash. The deal values Taylor Morrison at approximately $6.8 billion in equity and $8.5 billion in total enterprise value. The purchase price delivers strong shareholder value and represents a 24% premium over Taylor Morrison’s closing stock price of $58.50 on May 29, 2026.

Strong Shareholder Value Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison Home Corporation and Berkshire Hathaway have entered into a transaction agreement under which Berkshire Hathaway will acquire Taylor Morrison for $72.50 per share in cash. The deal values Taylor Morrison at approximately $6.8 billion in equit...

05/29/2026

Waymo has started offering free rides for a limited time in its new Ojai robotaxi across Metro Phoenix. The launch marks another milestone in the company’s continued expansion. Waymo now operates autonomous ride services in 11 major U.S. cities and regions. It has completed more than 20 million driverless trips, a level of deployment unmatched by any other autonomous vehicle company.

New Driverless Vehicles Waymo has started offering free rides for a limited time in its new Ojai robotaxi across Metro Phoenix. The launch marks another milestone in the company’s continued expansion. Waymo now operates autonomous ride services in 11 major U.S. cities and regions. It has completed

05/29/2026

Let’s Toast has opened its first permanent location at Uptown Plaza in Phoenix. Owners Sumin Kim and Sean Atkinson transformed the popular Uptown Farmers Market favorite into a full-time storefront, crafting Korean BBQ sandwiches to a larger audience. The new restaurant sits at the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road, in one of Phoenix’s busiest retail destinations.

Korean Barbecue Sandwiches Let’s Toast has opened its first permanent location at Uptown Plaza in Phoenix. Owners Sumin Kim and Sean Atkinson transformed the popular Uptown Farmers Market favorite into a full-time storefront, crafting Korean BBQ sandwiches to a larger audience.

05/29/2026

Frank & Lupe’s has reopened in Scottsdale under new owner Piero Aviles after closing in early 2025. The New Mexican restaurant served Old Town Scottsdale since 1995. It now sits at The Shops at Gainey Ranch, continuing to serve the Bernal family’s original scratch-made recipes from Socorro, New Mexico. Favorites include its popular green chile enchiladas, carne asada burritos, and housemade poblano salsa. The new location features a modern Southwest design with a welcoming bar and intimate dining space. Meanwhile, the former Old Town Scottsdale location will become Ponderosa House, a new concept from Karsen’s Grill owner Jacob Finley.

New Mexican Recipes Frank & Lupe’s has reopened in Scottsdale under new owner Piero Aviles after closing in early 2025. The New Mexican restaurant served Old Town Scottsdale since 1995. It now sits at The Shops at Gainey Ranch, continuing to serve the Bernal family’s original

05/29/2026

The second annual Inferno Invitational Startup Cup brought together entrepreneurial teams from across Arizona’s public university campuses in competition for venture funding. From SkySong in Scottsdale, each team delivered a pitch on their scalability and long-term impact, followed by a Q&A session with the judges. These initiatives highlight the growing impact of university-led startups on Arizona’s economy.

2nd Annual Startup Cup The second annual Inferno Invitational Startup Cup brought together entrepreneurial teams from across Arizona’s public university campuses in competition for venture funding. Each team delivered a pitch on their scalability and long-term impact,

05/28/2026

Arizona secured designation as the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) Southwest Regional Node. This means the state earns funding to coordinate workforce training, education programs, and career pathways for the microelectronics industry across multiple states.

The Arizona Commerce Authority, in partnership with the NNME, SEMI Foundation, and the National Science Foundation (NSF), announced the designation of NNME Southwest as an official NNME Regional Node. The designation positions the Southwest as a leading center for semiconductor and microelectronics workforce development. Backed by the NSF and Department of Commerce, and operated by the SEMI Foundation, NNME strengthens the nation’s microelectronics talent pipeline. It connects employers, educators, workforce groups, and government partners to expand career opportunities and meet industry demand.

Semiconductor Education Regional Hub Arizona secured designation as the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) Southwest Regional Node. This means the state earns funding to coordinate workforce training, education programs, and career pathways for the microelectronics industry acros...