The Arizona Manufacturers Council has announced the recipients of the 2026 Manufacturer of the Year Awards, recognizing companies and leaders making an impact across Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector.

The annual awards recognize excellence across seven categories, from manufacturing growth and innovation to sustainability and industry leadership. This year鈥檚 honorees will be recognized Oct. 13 at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon presented by APS.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers continue to grow, invest and innovate in ways that strengthen the state鈥檚 economy and expand what gets made here,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 honorees reflect the depth of that work, from longstanding Arizona companies to major industrial operations and emerging technologies.鈥�

2026 Award Recipients

Small Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Valley Forge & Bolt: The Phoenix-based manufacturer makes industrial bolts and fasteners used in demanding environments such as mining, steel and oil and gas. The company is also known for patented technology that allows operators to monitor bolt tension in real time, helping improve safety, reliability, and maintenance.

Medium Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Nucor Steel Kingman: Nucor鈥檚 Kingman mill produces reinforcing bar and wire rod used in roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. In 2025, the facility brought a new $100 million melt shop online, allowing Nucor to recycle scrap metal into new steel products directly in Kingman and expand production for customers across the West.

Large Manufacturer of the Year 鈥� Shamrock Foods Company: Founded in Tucson in 1922, Shamrock has grown from a small dairy operation into one of the nation鈥檚 largest family-owned food companies. The Arizona-based company鈥檚 operations include Shamrock Farms, foodservice distribution, dairy manufacturing and a portfolio of food and beverage businesses serving customers across the West and nationwide.

Arizona Success Story 鈥� Pivot Manufacturing: Phoenix-based Pivot Manufacturing is a locally grown manufacturer specializing in precision machining, assembly and production work for complex industries, including aerospace and defense. Over more than two decades, the company has expanded its capabilities while building a team of engineers, machinists and quality specialists.

Excellence in Innovation 鈥� Florence Copper: Florence Copper began commercial copper production in 2026, using a process that recovers copper from underground without the large open pit, blasting and hauling associated with conventional mining. The operation is currently ramping up and is expected to produce up to 85 million pounds of copper annually at full capacity.

Excellence in Sustainability 鈥� Swire Coca-Cola: The Coca-Cola bottler has made water conservation and replenishment a major part of its sustainability work, reducing the amount of water used in manufacturing while supporting projects designed to return water to communities and nature. Swire Coca-Cola also operates throughout Arizona as part of its 13-state western U.S. footprint.

Champion of the Year 鈥� Rep. Michael Carbone: Carbone is recognized for his work on policies supporting Arizona manufacturing, including sponsoring HB 4026, legislation backed by the Arizona Chamber and Arizona Manufacturers Council to strengthen the state鈥檚 public infrastructure program for major manufacturing projects. The program helps communities fund roads, water and other infrastructure needed to support large-scale manufacturing investment.

The 2026 honorees will be recognized at the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon on Oct. 13.

The post Arizona Manufacturers Council announces 2026 Manufacturer of the Year Award recipients appeared first on 91原创.

Public voting is now open for the top three finalists in the 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council on Monday announced the top three finalists in the fourth annual statewide competition, presented by Grand Canyon University.

This year鈥檚 contenders span medical technology, industrial manufacturing and craft brewing:

SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

Manufactured in Tucson, the is the world鈥檚 first FDA-approved total artificial heart. The device is used as a bridge to transplant for eligible patients facing life-threatening biventricular heart failure, replacing the heart鈥檚 pumping chambers and keeping blood circulating while a patient awaits a donor heart.

Wireless SPC4庐 Load Indicating System

Made by Valley Forge & Bolt in Phoenix, the allows users to measure and monitor fastener tension locally or remotely, helping identify bolts or studs that have lost clamp load.

The technology is used in demanding industrial applications including mining, oil and gas, steel and other heavy industries.

Hatch Chile Gatos Golden Ale

Brewed by Fate Brewing Company in Scottsdale, is made with roasted Hatch chiles, giving the beer a pronounced chile aroma with mild flavor and very little heat. The beer has become one of Fate鈥檚 longstanding signature brews.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 top three reflect the diversity of Arizona manufacturing, from lifesaving medical devices and precision industrial technology to Arizona-brewed craft beer,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭hat diversity is exactly what this competition is meant to highlight, along with the companies and skilled teams behind the products made here.鈥�

The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition launched in 2023 as a way to highlight the range and strength of Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector. Past winners include Boeing鈥檚 AH-64 Apache helicopter, the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor, and Honeywell Aerospace鈥檚 131-9 auxiliary power unit.

Public voting is open through Oct. 13, with one vote allowed per day per device.

The winner will be announced Oct. 13 at the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturer of the Year Awards Luncheon.

Cast your vote at

The post Meet the Top 3: Voting opens for 2026 Hottest Thing Made in Arizona appeared first on 91原创.

Manufacturers are growing more optimistic about sales and production over the coming year, but rising input costs, transportation expenses and continued global uncertainty are keeping pressure on the sector, according to a .

NAM鈥檚 Q3 2026 Manufacturers鈥� Outlook Survey found that manufacturers expect raw material and other input costs to increase 5% over the next 12 months. Increased raw material costs ranked as manufacturers鈥� top business challenge for the second consecutive quarter, followed by rising health care costs and trade uncertainty.

The results illustrate a manufacturing economy in which stronger expectations for demand are colliding with persistent cost pressures.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers are ready to grow, invest and compete, but the cost of doing business remains a significant challenge,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 raw materials, energy, transportation or health care, rising costs ultimately affect manufacturers鈥� ability to invest in their operations and their workforce. And the uncertainty surrounding tariffs isn鈥檛 helping. Tariffs are import taxes, and manufacturers pay them when they source key inputs from abroad, putting additional pressure on costs that can ultimately be passed along to consumers. The encouraging news is that manufacturers remain optimistic about what lies ahead, and policymakers can help sustain that momentum by advancing policies that provide greater certainty and keep Arizona and the United States competitive.鈥�

That optimism is reflected in manufacturers鈥� expectations for the coming year. Survey respondents projected sales, production, capital investment and exports to grow at their fastest rates in more than four years.

Manufacturers expect sales to increase 4.3% over the next 12 months and production to rise 3.8%, the highest projected growth rates for both measures since the second quarter of 2022.

鈥淪trong demand is fueling a notable increase in anticipated sales and production growth, both projected to rise 4.3% and 3.8%, respectively, the highest growth rates for both indexes since Q2 2022,鈥� NAM Chief Economist Victoria Bloom said. 鈥淏ecause of a strengthening sales forecast, manufacturers remain optimistic, though growth in the industry would likely be stronger if cost pressures eased.鈥�

Global disruptions continue to complicate that outlook.

Among manufacturers surveyed about the conflict in the Middle East, 60.6% said conditions related to the conflict had not improved from the previous quarter, while 33.2% said challenges had worsened.

Transportation expenses are adding to those pressures. More than three-quarters of manufacturers, 77.3%, identified freight rates as a challenge, while 74.1% cited fuel costs. Trucks are especially important to the sector, with 98.6% of respondents reporting that they rely on trucking to move goods.

Manufacturers also appear prepared to make significant investments in their operations.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 63%, said they plan to import industrial machinery, parts or components during the next year to support existing or planned manufacturing operations. Among those companies, 69.2% expect to use the equipment to upgrade or replace existing machinery, while 63.6% said the machinery would support new or expanded operations.

NAM said the findings demonstrate the importance of policies that allow manufacturers to secure the equipment needed to expand and modernize their facilities. The organization is advocating for a U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program designed to improve manufacturers鈥� access to industrial machinery.

鈥淢anufacturers are seeing encouraging signs for growth, but they are also facing some strong headwinds such as rising costs and global uncertainty that continue to place pressure on global supply chains,鈥� NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said.

Timmons called for action on several priorities important to manufacturers, including surface transportation reauthorization, permitting reform, health care costs and greater trade certainty.

The quarterly results come as Arizona continues to expand its advanced manufacturing footprint, with semiconductor, aerospace and defense, electronics and other manufacturers playing an increasingly prominent role in the state鈥檚 economy.

NAM conducted its Q3 Manufacturers鈥� Outlook Survey from Aug. 11 through Aug. 27.

Photo: Pete unseth, , via Wikimedia Commons

The post Input costs, transportation expenses drive uncertainty for manufacturers appeared first on 91原创.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry has joined a coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal air-quality rule that business groups say could make it more difficult to permit new manufacturing, energy and infrastructure projects. 

The petition, filed Friday, challenges a 2024 Environmental Protection Agency (鈥淓PA鈥�) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (鈥淣AAQS鈥�) revision that tightened the national standard for fine particulate matter, commonly known as PM2.5. The revision lowered the annual standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9, a 25% reduction.    

PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles in the air that are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. Under the Clean Air Act, communities that do not meet federal air-quality standards can face additional regulatory requirements, while businesses seeking to build or expand major facilities can face more stringent permitting requirements. 

For businesses, the practical effect is in permitting. The new standard can tighten pre-construction permitting even in areas that met the previous standard, requiring companies to demonstrate that a new or expanded facility will not push air pollution above the federal limit. In areas deemed out of compliance, or 鈥渘onattainment,鈥� new projects can face even stricter emissions requirements. 

鈥淎rizona can protect clean air and continue to grow, but we have to be realistic about what these rules mean on the ground,鈥� Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淲hen a federal standard makes it harder to permit a new manufacturing plant, energy project or piece of critical infrastructure, that has consequences for investment, jobs and our ability to compete. Businesses need tough rules to also be clear, lawful and workable.鈥� 

The case centers on the process EPA used to adopt the stricter standard. 

The Clean Air Act directs EPA to conduct a 鈥渢horough review鈥� of national ambient air-quality standards every five years. The business coalition argues that when the Biden administration’s EPA revised the NAAQS outside that normal cycle, EPA did not complete the same comprehensive scientific review required for a regular five-year revision. The petition says it was the first time EPA had revised a national air-quality standard without completing such a review. In doing so, the EPA also failed to consider the costs of undertaking a discretionary off-cycle review. 聽

鈥淭he issue here is whether EPA can make a major change to an air-quality standard without going through the full review Congress required,鈥� said Vanessa Pomeroy, deputy general counsel and chief counsel of the Arizona Chamber Legal Center. 鈥淥ur position is that it can鈥檛. When a rule can affect permitting, investment and major projects across the country, the process matters.鈥� 

The case has taken an unusual turn since the rule was adopted. 

After initially defending the 2024 rule, the current EPA reversed its position and asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to vacate the rule, agreeing that the prior administration had not followed the required process and had failed to properly consider costs associated with initiating an off-cycle review. The D.C. Circuit rejected both the business groups鈥� challenge and EPA鈥檚 request and left the rule in place in June.聽

The Arizona Chamber, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and other industry groups are now asking the Supreme Court to review that decision. Arizona legislative leaders are also among the petitioners. 

The permitting challenge is compounded by the fact that much of the particulate matter in the air comes from sources businesses cannot directly control. More than 84% comes from non-point sources such as wildfires, construction and road dust, while industrial sources and power plants account for about 16%. 

For Arizona, the case could help determine how easily federal air-quality standards can be tightened outside the normal review cycle and what that means for permitting, investment and major projects. 

The post Arizona Chamber joins Supreme Court challenge over federal air-quality rule聽聽 appeared first on 91原创.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council have opened nominations for two statewide competitions recognizing standout products, companies, and leaders across Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing sector.

The fourth annual competition, , invites manufacturers of all sizes to nominate products made in the state. Eligible entries can come from global companies, small businesses, artisan producers and independent makers.

Competition winners will be announced at an as part of the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Manufacturing Month programming.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers are building everything from advanced aerospace and defense systems to semiconductors, lifesaving medical devices and everyday products that shape how we live and work,鈥� said Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council. 鈥淭his competition is our chance to show people just how much is being made here, recognize the skilled teams behind those products and have a little fun deciding which one deserves the title of Hottest Thing Made in Arizona.鈥�

The competition returns as Arizona continues to attract major manufacturing investment and international attention.

recently announced an additional $100 billion investment in its Phoenix operations, bringing the company鈥檚 planned Arizona investment to $265 billion. The expanded plans include six semiconductor fabrication facilities, two advanced packaging facilities and a research and development center.

Amkor Technology鈥檚 planned $7 billion advanced semiconductor packaging and testing campus in Peoria was also named the for 2025 by Site Selection magazine. The project is expected to create as many as 3,000 jobs.

Past winners of the Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition include:

• Boeing鈥檚 AH-64 Apache helicopter in 2023
• The Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor in 2024
• Honeywell Aerospace鈥檚 131-9 auxiliary power unit in 2025

Nominations are also open for the 2026 Arizona Manufacturer of the Year Awards, which recognize companies, industry leaders, and achievements in seven categories:

• Small Manufacturer of the Year
• Medium Manufacturer of the Year
• Large Manufacturer of the Year
• Excellence in Innovation
• Excellence in Sustainability
• Champion of the Year
• Arizona Success Story

鈥淭hese awards recognize the companies and people translating Arizona鈥檚 manufacturing momentum into real products, high-quality jobs and stronger communities,鈥� Appelbe said. 鈥淲hether they employ thousands of people or a few dozen, Arizona manufacturers are solving difficult problems, investing in their teams and proving that our state can compete with anyone.鈥�

The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona competition will include a series of public voting rounds, allowing employees, customers and communities to rally behind their favorite Arizona-made products.

Nominations can be submitted at .

The post Arizona manufacturing competitions return for 2026 appeared first on 91原创.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been named the recipient of the 2026 Conference of State Manufacturers Associations Leadership Award, a national honor recognizing work on behalf of the manufacturing sector.

The National Association of Manufacturers this week during COSMA鈥檚 annual meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

COSMA members serve as the NAM鈥檚 official state partners, representing manufacturing priorities at the state level while helping elevate federal policy issues from across the country. A selection committee made up of previous award recipients evaluates nominees based on advocacy, organizational excellence, innovation, industry promotion and growth.

The Arizona Chamber was selected in part for its work on a first-in-the-nation federal air-quality policy outcome affecting the Phoenix-Mesa region.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved Arizona鈥檚 Clean Air Act Section 179B demonstration, preventing the region from being reclassified to 鈥淪erious鈥� ozone nonattainment based on pollution originating largely outside the state鈥檚 control.

The Chamber and Arizona Manufacturers Council had spent years advocating for the change alongside state, regional and federal partners. The decision spared manufacturers and other employers from additional permitting requirements, emissions-offset mandates and other regulatory costs that would not have addressed the primary sources of the region鈥檚 ozone levels.

鈥淭he Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry has blazed a trail for all manufacturers by helping the EPA align federal policy with scientific reality and pragmatic solutions,鈥� said Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and COSMA chair.

Siekerka said the Arizona effort provides other states with 鈥渁 replicable playbook for collaborative and effective advocacy.鈥�

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons also cited Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden鈥檚 bipartisan approach and broader advocacy on behalf of manufacturers.

鈥淒anny Seiden exemplifies the best of manufacturing association leadership in the United States,鈥� Timmons said. 鈥淏y leading with integrity, focusing on bipartisan solutions and delivering an impact across our sector and the communities we serve, Danny has earned wide respect not only from the business community but lawmakers of both parties and at all levels.鈥�

Timmons said manufacturers and families across Arizona benefit from Seiden鈥檚 鈥渃are, drive and stewardship,鈥� adding that the NAM was proud to recognize his advocacy.

Seiden said the award reflects the work of the Chamber鈥檚 staff, members and partner organizations across a range of policy and economic-development priorities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to COSMA and the NAM for this recognition,鈥� Seiden said. 鈥淚t means even more coming from organizations that understand the work it takes to support a strong manufacturing sector.鈥�

He said the Chamber鈥檚 efforts have included work on federal air-quality policy, building public support for new investment and advancing the infrastructure needed to support Arizona鈥檚 continued economic growth.

鈥淭his award reflects the effort of our entire team, our members and the partners who have worked alongside us,鈥� Seiden said.

The Arizona Chamber works with the Arizona Manufacturers Council to advocate for policies affecting manufacturers across the state, including regulatory, workforce, infrastructure and economic-development issues.

The post Arizona Chamber receives national manufacturing leadership award appeared first on 91原创.

A broad coalition of U.S. business organizations, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council, is urging Congress to approve a long-term reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), arguing the agency plays a critical role in helping American manufacturers compete globally.

In a July 21 letter to lawmakers, 319 companies, trade associations, state chambers of commerce, manufacturers’ groups and local business organizations from all 50 states called on Congress to pass a robust 10-year reauthorization of EXIM before its authorization expires later this year.

The coalition argues that export financing has become an increasingly important competitive tool as foreign governments expand support for their domestic industries. The letter notes that more than 115 foreign export credit agencies are actively supporting exporters in their respective countries and points to China’s estimated $24 billion in medium- and long-term export credit support in 2024, more than four times the volume officially supported by the United States.

鈥淓XIM is an essential tool that helps American exporters compete globally and level the playing field,鈥� the organizations wrote, adding that the bank鈥檚 financing programs can determine whether U.S. companies win international contracts, expand operations and create jobs.

According to the coalition, EXIM authorized $8.7 billion in transactions during fiscal year 2025, supporting approximately 40,000 American jobs. More than 87% of those transactions directly benefited small businesses. Since 1992, the bank has generated a net $9.8 billion for the U.S. Treasury while maintaining a low default rate.

鈥淎rizona manufacturers compete in a global marketplace every day. The Export-Import Bank helps ensure that American companies aren鈥檛 forced to compete with one hand tied behind their backs while foreign governments aggressively finance their own industries,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淎 long-term reauthorization of EXIM will provide the certainty businesses need to invest, grow, and support high-quality manufacturing jobs here in Arizona and across the country, which is why we鈥檙e urging Congress to act.鈥�

Beyond extending the agency鈥檚 authorization for a decade, the letter calls on Congress to strengthen EXIM鈥檚 ability to operate during board vacancies, expand its China and Transformational Exports Program, and revise lending restrictions that the coalition says unnecessarily limit the bank’s competitiveness against foreign export credit agencies.

Arizona organizations signing the letter include the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Arizona Manufacturers Council, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Coolidge Chamber of Commerce, Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, PHX East Valley Partnership, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, and The Chamber of Southern Arizona. The National Association of Manufacturers coordinated the nationwide sign-on effort, which drew support from major corporations including Boeing, Ford Motor Co., Lockheed Martin, Siemens Energy, Toyota Motor North America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with hundreds of state and local business organizations.

image via

The post Business coalition, including several Ariz. groups, urges Congress to approve long-term EXIM reauthorization appeared first on 91原创.

The U.S. Forest Service earlier this month issued the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Hermosa Critical Minerals Project in Southern Arizona’s Patagonia Mountains, completing the federal environmental review required for portions of the project planned on National Forest land. The decision follows several years of environmental study, public input, tribal and interagency consultation. 

Project developer South32 says Hermosa could produce up to five federally designated critical minerals, including zinc, silver, and manganese. The project includes a broader land package with potential for additional polymetallic and copper mineralization, positioning it as a significant domestic source of minerals tied to energy, manufacturing and supply-chain needs. 

The decision paves the way for South32 to fully develop the project beyond its privately held land, including building ancillary infrastructure such as a primary access road, a secondary dry-stack tailings facility, and allowing utility UniSource Energy Services to build a portion of a 138-kV power line on Coronado National Forest land.  

Construction is already halfway complete on private land. It was the first mining project accepted into the federal FAST-41 permitting program, which is reserved for nationally significant infrastructure projects meeting rigorous criteria.  

鈥淔rom the beginning, we designed Hermosa to be a different kind of mine, and the federal review process helped make it even better,鈥� South32 Hermosa President Pat Risner said. 鈥淵ears of agency review, Tribal consultation and community engagement strengthened environmental protections, informed project refinements and shaped a project that can transform the local economy. We are grateful to everyone who participated throughout the process and look forward to continuing that engagement as we move from construction and development into operations.鈥� 

The Final ROD also represents an important milestone in the broader national conversation around domestic critical mineral development and permitting reform. Hermosa鈥檚 advancement under FAST-41 did not reduce the thoroughness of environmental review or limit public input. Rather, the process helped improve interagency coordination, transparency, and accountability across federal agencies while ensuring the project moved through permitting in a timely and disciplined manner.  

Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said the Hermosa project also demonstrates the value of a predictable and transparent permitting process. 

鈥淪outh32鈥檚 Hermosa project represents the kind of investment Arizona needs to strengthen domestic supply chains, support critical minerals production, and create long-term jobs in Santa Cruz County and across the state,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also a model for how permitting should work. Hermosa has gone through years of environmental review, public input, and interagency consultation, and the project remains on track under the federal permitting schedule. That鈥檚 the kind of predictable, transparent process Arizona needs more of if we want to lead in industries critical to our economy and national security.鈥� 

Over the course of the review process, Hermosa underwent extensive federal environmental analysis and consultation including more than 120 days of formal public comment periods, coordination across six federal and state agencies and consultation with 12 Tribes with historic affiliation to the region. 

鈥淚f we鈥檙e serious about bringing supply chains back to America and reducing our dependence on foreign countries, we need to responsibly produce more critical minerals here at home. This is exactly what the Hermosa project is doing,鈥� said U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.). 鈥淭his milestone shows we can move projects through an efficient permitting process to create good-paying jobs while strengthening our national security.鈥� 

South32 conducted extensive baseline environmental studies and community engagement before permit applications were formally submitted, allowing project alternatives, water management approaches, access roads and mitigation measures to be shaped by stakeholder input early in the process. 

The Final ROD confirms that environmental protections, mitigation commitments, and adaptive management measures are integrated into the approved project. Throughout the review process, South32 refined Hermosa’s design in response to agency feedback, Tribal consultation and community input, including: 

• Redesign of the dry-stack tailings facility to avoid sensitive plant species;聽
• Design of a Primary Access Road, necessary for expansion, to also reduce traffic impacts to Patagonia and outdoor recreation areas;聽
• Surface and ground water quality and quantity monitoring beyond state level requirements;聽
• Wildlife crossings and habitat protections;聽
• Cultural resource avoidance measures; and聽
• Operational refinements聽are designed聽to reduce emissions,聽noise,聽and surface disturbance.聽

In total, South32 committed to more than 135 conservation, mitigation and monitoring measures developed in coordination with federal agencies, Tribes and local stakeholders. Many of those commitments will become federally enforceable components of the final Mine Plan of Operations, and associated management plans outlined in the Final ROD. 

鈥淭he Final Record of Decision for Hermosa is another important milestone for Nogales. It reflects years of collaboration to ensure the Hermosa project is developed in a way that balances economic opportunity with environmental stewardship,鈥� said Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado. 鈥淪outh32 is making a long-term investment in the people and future of Nogales through investments like its remote operating center 鈥淐entro鈥�. Hermosa has the potential to create new opportunities to support good-paying jobs and help ensure that more of our young people can build successful careers right here at home, and we appreciate South32’s commitment to developing Hermosa responsibly while creating opportunities for local families, students and businesses.鈥� 

With a surface footprint of 750 acres and projected to use approximately 90% less water than other mines in the region, South32 designed Hermosa to minimize its environmental impact. Once in operation, Hermosa would help transform and grow the local economy and create up to 900 good-paying jobs during peak operations, and support investment across surrounding communities for decades to come. 

The post Hermosa聽critical minerals mining project聽reaches major federal permitting milestone聽 appeared first on 91原创.

The Arizona Legislature wrapped up its 2026 session after 153 days, leaving the state’s business community with a mix of accomplishments to celebrate and concerns about Arizona鈥檚 long-term competitiveness.

Business leaders pointed to several significant victories, including expanded health coverage options for small employers, additional infrastructure funding to support economic development projects, preservation of key economic development tools, and a bipartisan budget that avoided broad-based tax increases. At the same time, they expressed concern about reductions to public university funding, the repeal of a longstanding job-creation incentive, and policy changes affecting future data center investment.

鈥淟ike most sessions in divided government, this legislative session delivered a mixed bag of results for job creators,鈥� said Courtney Coolidge, executive vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 鈥淭he good news is that Arizona continues to demonstrate a commitment to economic growth, competitive tax policy, and job creation. The challenge moving forward is ensuring we don’t undermine the very advantages that have made Arizona one of the most attractive places in the country to invest and grow.鈥�

Among the business community’s top priorities this year was legislation aimed at helping small employers provide affordable health coverage to workers.

HB 2693, sponsored by Rep. David Livingston and signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs, creates a pathway for small businesses to join together through a statewide business organization to purchase health coverage. Supporters say the measure will allow smaller employers to increase purchasing power, reduce costs, and provide more stable benefit options.

鈥淪mall businesses often face the greatest challenges when it comes to offering competitive health benefits,鈥� Coolidge said. 鈥淭his legislation creates a voluntary, market-based option that gives employers more flexibility and employees more choices.鈥�

Another significant victory came through the state budget, which included additional funding capacity for Arizona’s Public Infrastructure Program, a tool frequently used to support large-scale economic development projects.

The program helps communities finance roads, water systems, and other infrastructure needed to accommodate major investments. It has been utilized in projects involving companies such as TSMC, Intel, Amkor, and LG Energy Solution Arizona.

鈥淎rizona’s economic success depends on our ability to compete for transformational projects,鈥� Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. 鈥淭hose investments don’t happen without infrastructure, and communities need tools that allow them to prepare for growth.鈥�

The Chamber also praised lawmakers for largely preserving the Arizona Competes Fund, one of the state鈥檚 primary economic development incentives. Early budget discussions included proposals to sweep money from the fund to help address budget shortfalls, but the final agreement maintained most of the program.

In addition, the budget included full conformity with recent federal tax changes, avoided broad-based business tax increases, and provided funding to support Arizona鈥檚 ongoing Colorado River negotiations.

Still, business leaders say several decisions made during the session could create challenges in the years ahead.

One of the biggest concerns was the repeal of the Quality Jobs Tax Credit, a program designed to encourage companies to create high-wage jobs and make major capital investments in Arizona.

The Chamber also expressed concern over a three-year pause on issuing new sales tax exemption certificates for future data center projects. While existing projects will continue under current agreements, supporters of the incentive argue that uncertainty surrounding future projects could make Arizona less competitive in attracting additional investment.

鈥淭he state鈥檚 economic momentum didn’t happen by accident,鈥� Coolidge said. 鈥淔or years, Arizona has built a reputation for consistency and predictability. We don鈥檛 want to send a message to investors that they can鈥檛 plan for the long-term.鈥�

Higher education funding remains another area of concern for the business community.

Arizona employers have increasingly emphasized the importance of workforce development as the state鈥檚 economy continues to expand. Business advocates warned that cuts to public universities could affect the talent pipeline needed to support growth in industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and semiconductors to healthcare and technology.

鈥淲orkforce remains one of the defining economic issues facing Arizona,鈥� Coolidge said. 鈥淚f we want to continue attracting investment and creating opportunity, we have to continue investing in the talent that makes those opportunities possible.鈥�

Attention will now shift from the Legislature to voters, who will weigh in on several measures referred to the ballot by lawmakers, as well as potential citizen initiatives that are still gathering signatures.

For Arizona employers, the end of the legislative session marks the beginning of another important phase in shaping the state’s economic future.

鈥淎rizona remains in a strong position,鈥� Coolidge said. 鈥淚n the months ahead, we鈥檒l encourage voters to elect leaders who will continue making the decisions necessary to stay ahead of states that are competing for the same jobs, investments, and talent.鈥�

Image courtesy by

The post Arizona Chamber assesses legislative session鈥檚 highs and lows appeared first on 91原创.

Honeywell Aerospace is preparing to launch as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company headquartered in Phoenix, placing the global operation of one of the industry鈥檚 largest suppliers at the center of Arizona鈥檚 growing advanced-manufacturing economy.

The company is expected to separate from Honeywell International on June 29 and begin trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker HONA. The planned spinoff is part of a broader restructuring of Honeywell into more focused standalone businesses.

Honeywell Aerospace marked the milestone last week with its inaugural Investor Day in Phoenix, followed by an evening reception at its Sky Harbor hangar for state and local leaders. The events offered a look at the company鈥檚 strategy as an independent business, along with aircraft, engines, and other aerospace and defense technologies bearing its newly unveiled branding.

The company reported $17.4 billion in global net sales in 2025 and is one of Arizona鈥檚 largest employers, with more than 7,000 workers in the state. Honeywell Aerospace operates across commercial aviation, business aviation, defense, and space markets.

鈥淭his is a major vote of confidence in Arizona鈥檚 economy and in the people who have spent decades building our aerospace and advanced-manufacturing base,鈥� Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. 鈥淭he impact goes well beyond the thousands of high-paying jobs Honeywell supports today. A headquarters means the big decisions are made here, and that creates opportunities for investment, suppliers, small businesses, and communities across our state.鈥�

Honeywell Aerospace鈥檚 portfolio includes avionics, navigation systems, sensors, aircraft engines, auxiliary power units, electric-power systems and thermal-management technologies. The company will be organized into three operating segments: Electronic Solutions, Engines & Power Systems and Control Systems.

Honeywell has deep roots in Arizona. Its aerospace operations have been based in Phoenix for decades, and the company has played a role in developing technologies used across commercial aviation, defense and space exploration.

The Phoenix headquarters designation takes on greater significance as the newly independent company lays out plans for its next phase of growth. Honeywell Aerospace told investors it expects sales to grow between 6% and 8% annually through 2030, driven by demand from commercial aviation, aftermarket services, defense and space customers. Its backlog has grown to $19 billion, up 20% from a year earlier.

CEO Jim Currier said the company plans to prioritize investments in manufacturing capacity and its supply chain as it moves forward as a standalone business.

Grace Appelbe, executive director of the Arizona Manufacturers Council, said the headquarters announcement highlights the importance of Arizona鈥檚 advanced-manufacturing sector and the skilled workforce supporting it.

鈥淗oneywell鈥檚 presence in Arizona is a reminder that advanced manufacturing is not an abstract concept here,鈥� Appelbe said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 skilled Arizonans building technologies that power aircraft, support national defense and shape the future of flight. Anchoring that global operation in Phoenix strengthens Arizona鈥檚 broader manufacturing ecosystem and reinforces our state鈥檚 position as a hub for advanced industry.鈥�

The post Honeywell Aerospace prepares to launch as independent public company headquartered in Phoenix appeared first on 91原创.