Craig Ruiz, Author at ��

Arizona business leader sounds alarm over consequences of government shutdown

Craig Ruiz — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 19:35:27 +0000

With the clock ticking towards a September 30 deadline for Congress to pass a new spending package, Arizona’s business community is growing increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of a government shutdown. Leadership from the Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry is sounding the alarm over the disruption such an event could cause to the state’s economy.

A government shutdown would not only impact federal workers but also send shockwaves through the state, affecting industries ranging from tourism to manufacturing.

The �� cites among its concerns the potential closure of national parks and monuments, which could severely disrupt the state’s vibrant tourism industry.

Tourists flock to iconic Arizona destinations such as the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Saguaro National Park, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, who is leading a delegation to Taiwan this week, posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “The Grand Canyon is a pillar of our state and provides good-paying jobs for hundreds of Arizonans. In case of a government shutdown, the State of Arizona is prepared to make resources available to keep the park open and guarantee our residents and visitors are protected from Washington’s failures.”

Arizona �� President and CEO Danny Seiden applauded the governor’s announcement.

“Good for Gov. Hobbs making clear that her administration will step in to ensure that one of the seven natural wonders of the world won’t close,” he said. “But the state can only do so much, and Arizona has other national parks that, if they close, will likely lose visitors, while businesses that rely on tourism will lose revenue.”

Air travel could become even more of a hassle. With fewer TSA agents and air traffic controllers on duty, travelers could face long delays and operational challenges, causing headaches for both business and leisure travelers.

Government contractors are also at risk of being furloughed if Congress fails to pass a spending package. These contractors, who provide essential services to various federal agencies, would suffer financial hardship during a shutdown, which could have a ripple effect on other local businesses that rely on their services.

“I’m very concerned about the effect of a shutdown on Arizona firms that hold government contracts,” Seiden said. “In many cases, they won’t get paid. The longer a shutdown drags on, the more difficult the decisions become for employers who do business with the government.”

Border trade and security is another crucial concern for Arizona, given its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents would work without pay during a shutdown, likely inflicting a hit on agency morale.

In testimony earlier this month before a subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Matthew Davies, CBP’s executive director for admissibility and passenger programs, said that a government shutdown would negatively affect agencies’ recruitment and retention.

“We would continue to come into work and secure our border at our ports of entry, but for officers especially over a long period of time not having a paycheck to go home to, is extremely demoralizing and debilitating,” he said.

Additionally, credit rating agencies could view a government shutdown as further evidence that Congress is unable to effectively govern and manage the country’s finances. This perception could negatively impact the nation’s credit ratings and increase borrowing costs for both the public and private sectors.

The credit ratings agency Fitch in August downgraded the country’s credit rating following the protracted debate over whether to raise the debt ceiling, in part due to “the erosion of governance relative to ‘AA’ and ‘AAA’ rated peers over the last two decades that has manifested in repeated debt limit standoffs and last-minute resolutions.”

“House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that ‘Nobody wins in a government shutdown,’” Seiden said. “He’s right. There are political consequences and there are economic ones. Washington needs to get its act together fast.”

Seiden led a delegation of �� members to Washington this week where he stressed to officials on Capitol Hill the importance of avoiding a shutdown.

With the fiscal year ending September 30, there is no time for both chambers of Congress and the White House to negotiate a spending package for the entire fiscal year 2024 that begins October 1.

Congress’ only option at this late stage is to buy itself some time for further negotiation through passage of a continuing resolution, or a CR, which maintains spending levels at their current level for an agreed upon period while negotiations between the executive and legislative branches continue. There is no interruption in government operations during a CR.

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Semiconductors, enviro regs and more on agenda for Ariz. �� meetings in D.C.

Craig Ruiz — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 19:59:57 +0000

A large contingent from the Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry was in the nation’s capital this week for the organization’s annual fly-in, an opportunity for a diverse swath of the state’s employers and industries to provide federal policymakers with a perspective on the Arizona business environment and for Arizona business leaders to learn more about the issues roiling Capitol Hill.

This year’s meetings included briefings from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where attendees got an in-depth assessment of the state of the U.S. economy, as well as a presentation on the implications of proposed air quality regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency. The �� has been actively advocating for a balanced approach to environmental regulations that does not put economic growth and job creation at risk.

Participants also met with representatives from the Department of Commerce to delve into the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation of significant importance to the nation, particularly in the wake of global semiconductor shortages and their impact on industries ranging from automotive to electronics and national defense. Arizona, a pivotal player in the semiconductor supply chain and home to multi-billion-dollar investments by Intel and TSMC, has much to gain from the bill’s smooth implementation.

“The �� has a close working relationship with NAM and collaborates regularly on policies to strengthen the manufacturing sector,” �� President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “Our discussions with NAM this week were insightful and drove home why our relationship is so valuable and why the Arizona Manufacturers Council is proud to serve as NAM’s state affiliate.”

The ��’s Washington visit coincided with an by the Department of Defense that Arizona has been selected as one of eight regional hubs under the Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons program thanks in part to a Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub proposal led by.

The SWAP Hub has been awarded nearly $40 million to advance microelectronics research and development in artificial intelligence hardware, 5G/6G, and Commercial Leap Ahead Technologies.

“This was extremely welcome news for our group while in Washington, and another reminder of why semiconductor policy was top of mind in our conversations,” Seiden said. “It’s a great example of collaboration between higher education, state government, and our federal delegation leading to a big win for Arizona.”

The �� also met with key committees on Capitol Hill, including the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Budget Committee, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. These meetings featured conversations on issues such as taxation, healthcare, and budgetary priorities that significantly affect Arizona businesses and workers.

The �� also met with members of the Arizona congressional delegation to discuss pressing state issues. The �� is the business community’s closest liaison to the delegation.

�� of discussion with the delegation included environmental overregulation and the potential consequences that could hinder economic development in the state. The group once again stressed the importance of balancing environmental protection with economic growth, ensuring that stringent regulations do not inadvertently stifle business innovation and job creation in Arizona.

Additionally, there were substantial discussions regarding the potential disruptions in the state that could arise from a government shutdown, as Washington stares down a September 30 deadline to adopt a spending plan for the beginning of fiscal year 2024. The �� representatives urged delegation members to reach an agreement to prevent unnecessary interruptions of public services and business operations.

“The state’s business community wants Congress and the administration to reach a deal to prevent a shutdown,” Seiden said. “Business doesn’t put much stock in the blame game between the White House and Capitol Hill when the agencies employers interact with are closed. As we saw with the debt ceiling crisis earlier this year, these sorts of standoffs can have real consequences and undermine the country’s competitive standing.”

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Arizona Manufacturers Council announces Manufacturer of the Year winners

Craig Ruiz — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 19:23:54 +0000

The Arizona Manufacturers Council, as part of its preparations for its celebration of Manufacturing Month in October, announced the winners of its Manufacturer of the Year Awards.

The winners are:

Excellence in Innovation – NXP Semiconductor
Excellence in Sustainability – PepsiCo, Inc.
Small Manufacturer of the Year – Pilgrim Aerospace
Medium Manufacturer of the Year – MD Helicopters
Large Manufacturer of the Year – Northrop Grumman
Champion of the Year – Mayor Julia Wheatley, Town of Queen Creek

“The Arizona Manufacturers Council is thrilled to recognize these leaders in one of the nation’s fastest growing manufacturing sectors,” AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. “Arizona has so much to offer manufacturers, from a welcoming regulatory environment to modern infrastructure and a talented workforce. This year’s award winners are great examples of the innovators and creators who call Arizona home and who contribute to a manufacturing sector here that employs more than 600,000 people and positively impacts the state economy by $77 billion a year.”

The winners will be honored on October 10 at.

Last year’s winners were Poly Print, TYR Tactical, CalPortland, Heitek Automation, and Republic Services.

The event is part of the AMC’s Manufacturing Month activities, which also includes the Made in Arizona bus tour, featuring behind-the-scenes tours of some of the state’s finest manufacturers.

New for 2023, the AMC is launching its Hottest Thing Made in Arizona contest. Voters can pick what product should win the inaugural award at the contest.

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Arizona �� and Manufacturers Council launch “Hottest Thing Made in Arizona” contest

Craig Ruiz — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:45:51 +0000

The Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) are gearing up to celebrate Manufacturing Month in October by launching “The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona” contest to honor the state’s creativity, innovation, and talent.

Arizona has the country’s fastest-growing manufacturing sector, with more than 630,000 skilled workers and an annual economic contribution exceeding $77 billion.

AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe says the contest will serve as a tribute to our state’s vibrant and innovative manufacturing community.

“Every October, we celebrate Manufacturing Month to highlight the creators and innovators who have helped make Arizona’s manufacturing sector the envy of the nation,” Appelbe said. “This year we want to hear from Arizonans across the state about what made-in-Arizona product they believe deserves the spotlight. I expect we will learn a lot more about some outstanding products that are helping to create jobs, have loyal customers, and are revolutionizing industries.”

The AMC is the official state affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Nominations for The Hottest Thing Made in Arizona are open to the public. There are no limits to the number of products that a person can nominate.

Here are the criteria for nominations:

Arizona-Based Production: Nominated products must be made in Arizona, although the manufacturer’s headquarters do not need to be located within the state.
Comprehensive Details: Nominations should include the product name, manufacturer’s name, and the nominator’s contact information (name, email, and telephone number). The nominator’s information will be kept confidential but may be used for verification purposes or follow-up questions.
Online Submission: Nominations must be submitted exclusively through the official contest website at. Written, emailed, or other forms of nominations will not be accepted.

Once nominations close, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite products. Voters can cast one vote per day per valid email address. The top-3 products with the most votes will advance to the final round, where vote totals will be reset.

There is no cost to participate, and membership with the Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry or the Arizona Manufacturers Council is not required.

The first round of nominations is underway.

The winner will be announced October 26 as part of the Made in Arizona tour, an annual AMC Manufacturing Month event that features a statewide bus tour and on-site, behind-the-scenes visits by business leaders and elected officials to some of the state’s finest manufacturers.

Also included as part of Manufacturing Month, the AMC on October 10 will hold its signature event, the Manufacturer of the Year Awards & Summit at Grand Canyon University Arena.

Awards will be presented for Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Sustainability, Small Manufacturer of the Year, Medium Manufacturer of the Year, Large Manufacturer of the Year, and Manufacturing Champion of the Year.

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Google bringing $600 million investment to Mesa

Craig Ruiz — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:49:27 +0000

Your next email might be routed through Mesa. Google on Wednesday announced it will make a $600 million investment in the East Valley city to build a new data center to host services like search, Gmail, maps and cloud storage.

“We are proud to put down roots in Arizona with both the data center in Mesa and the Phoenix cloud region,” Google Data Centers Vice President Joe Kava said.

Gov. Katie Hobbs and Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, joined state lawmakers and Mesa Mayor John Giles and Arizona Commerce Authority President and CEO Sandra Watson at a ceremony to welcome the company to the Valley.

“Google’s $600 million investment in a new Mesa data center is a great example of how Arizona is leading the way in sustainable growth while creating good paying jobs in the process,” Hobbs on X. “There is no better time or place to invest in technology and innovation than right here and right now, and I will continue making sure all Arizonans have the opportunity to participate in our thriving economy.”

The new facility will be located on 187 acres at Elliot and Sossaman. The construction, which is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs, is underway. Vertical construction will begin in earnest next year.

“Our city is a great place to locate a business and we continue to compete on a global scale,” Giles said. “We look forward to a strong relationship with Google.”

The company also announced it will make a $150,000 donation to help fund SRP’s watershed restoration projects.

“We are committed to focusing our water stewardship efforts in water-scarce regions like Arizona,” said Kate Franko, public affairs manager for Google. “This collaboration with SRP builds on our 2021 investment in the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ (CRIT) system conservation and canal lining project to improve water conservation in the Southwest.”

Google said it will use new technology to keep the facility cool. The company aims to be at net-zero emissions by 2030. Since 2017, the company has matched 100% of its annual electricity use with renewable energy.

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Government shutdown looms as budget negotiations intensify

Craig Ruiz — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:17:45 +0000

The United States Senate returned to work on Tuesday following its August recess. The House returns next week. Job 1 for Congress in September is to negotiate a spending package to keep the federal government operational before the new fiscal year starts October 1. But arriving at a deal that the Democrat-controlled Senate, Republican-controlled House, and the White House can agree on will be no easy task.

Here’s an explainer of where things sit:

Appropriations: The House and Senate Appropriations Committees are responsible for hashing out government agencies’ spending levels each fiscal year. The committees divide their work into 12 subcommittees, which produce bills for their subject areas that are sent onto the full committees and, eventually, a vote of the entire House or Senate.

House subcommittees in 2023 have completed work on all 12 of their bills. Ten have passed the full committee. The Senate has bypassed the subcommittee process, starting bills at the full committee level, and passing all 12.

Only one bill has been passed by a full legislative chamber. The House on July 27 by a 219-211 vote passed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill.

After each chamber passes a spending bill, the bill is supposed to be reconciled with its counterpart bill in the opposite chamber in a conference committee. This step in the regular order of legislative procedure has become incredibly rare

Omnibus: Instead of following the process that was in your high school civics book, Congress has increasingly relied on omnibus bills to keep the government funded. An omnibus bill lumps all spending for the entire federal government into one bill, making it impossible for any elected representative or senator – never mind constituents – to be fully familiar with the entire bill’s contents.

Minibus: A slightly less unwieldy version of an omnibus, a minibus contains funding for several departments and agencies rather than the entire government. Passage of multiple minibuses has the same outcome as passage of a single omnibus.

Continuing resolution: When Congress and the White House are unable to complete the regular appropriations process before the annual September 30 deadline when previously established spending levels expire, they buy themselves time for further negotiation through passage of a continuing resolution, or a CR.

A continuing resolution maintains spending levels at their current level for an agreed upon period of time while negotiations between the executive and legislative branches continue. There is no interruption in government operations during a CR.

Government shutdown: If government funding lapses because congressional negotiators and the White House were unable to pass all 12 spending bills or an omnibus or minbuses before the fiscal year ends on September 30, portions of the federal government will cease operations. Non-essential federal employees are placed on unpaid leave for the duration of the shutdown. This includes workers in agencies and departments that rely on annual appropriations, such as national parks, museums, and some administrative offices.

Some services will continue – customs and border enforcement, for example – but those employees will work without pay. Back pay is usually included in whatever agreement Congress and the administration eventually reach.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., says he and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., have spoken about the need to pass a CR, and the Office of Management and Budget is offering Congress technical assistance in preparing the necessary legislative language.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus, however, are saying they will oppose a CR and will force a shutdown unless their demands are met, which vary depending on the member, including impeachment proceedings against the president and the secretary of Homeland Security, consideration of an enforcement-only border security bill (H.R. 2), or dramatic cuts in government spending.

Faced with a bloc of fellow Republicans who are willing to shut down the government, McCarthy will have to rely on Democratic votes to pass a CR, just as he did earlier this year on the vote to raise the debt ceiling. A bipartisan deal comes with its own political consequences, however.

A Republican opponent of McCarthy could put forth a motion to vacate the chair, a parliamentary maneuver that would subject McCarthy’s speakership to a vote of the full House. Only a few Republicans would have to side with Democrats to remove McCarthy as speaker.

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Panel to explore benefits of a neurodiverse workplace

Craig Ruiz — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 19:54:43 +0000

A panel of experts will convene this week to discuss how a more neurodiverse workforce could benefit employers and the broader economy.

The Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry will host the meeting on September 7, which will feature speakers from the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, First Place Phoenix, Fine Timepiece Solutions USA, and restaurant Steak 44. The panel will be moderated by Monica Coury, the vice president of legislative and government affairs for Arizona Complete Health.

�� President and CEO Danny Seiden says the discussion will give employers insight into how emphasizing neurodiversity in the workplace can prove beneficial to a company’s culture and its bottom line.

“No matter the size of the company or its industry, not a week goes by when I don’t hear from a �� member who wants to hire but can’t find the talent,” Seiden said. “My hope is that this conversation will give job creators new perspectives and tools for identifying potential employees that they haven’t considered before.”

Despite fears of a cooling economy and challenges like high inflation and interest rates, workers are still in demand. Arizona’s unemployment rate is 3.6%, slightly below the national rate of 3.8%.

“Employers need workers, and my hope is the �� can help make the connection between job creators and job seekers,” Seiden said. “For the economy to reach its full potential, we want everyone to contribute. I expect that our panel will make clear that there’s talent on the sidelines that employers can tap.”

Karla Phillips-Krivickas, founder of , says promoting greater neurodiversity in the workforce could increase overall labor participation rates.

“There are many different ways to describe or define disabilities, but – regardless of the method – the group experiences some of the lowest employment rates in our state and across the country,” she said. “Only 39% of working age adults with a disability in Arizona are employed and the number goes down to 29% for those with a cognitive disability. This represents a large untapped market.”

Neurodivergent isn’t a rigid medical term. The Cleveland Clinic ascribes the term to people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason, resulting in different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically. Conditions that fall under the term can be numerous, but common ones include Autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia.

Arizona employers are embracing the benefits of a more diverse workplace.

Boeing, which manufactures the Apache helicopter in Mesa, earned a Certified Neurodiverse Workplace (CNW) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards for its electrical department and BDS Fabrication Unit. IBCCES provides credentialing and training for employers to help their workplace become more welcoming and accommodating to individuals with special needs and cognitive disorders.

“Our neurodiversity certification is a big deal. Not only are we better able to work effectively with our neurodiverse fulfillment center partners, but we are also realizing that many of our teammates are not neurotypical,” Boeing BDS Fabrication Vice President Dave Rackham said. “The awareness we now have because of our certification allows us to more effectively communicate with and strengthen our relationships with our neurodiverse teammates. It is far easier to recognize when we interact with our people who think differently and work through communication challenges. Solving these challenges enables us to take advantage of their different perspectives, resulting in more effective solutions to the problems we face. For us, this certification is not just a plaque we hang on our wall but rather a tool that is leading us towards our ultimate goal of excellence.”

Mesa in 2019. Visit Mesa, which promotes the city’s tourism offerings to business and leisure travelers and meeting and convention planners, over several months encouraged businesses to participate in specialized autism training geared toward executives and front-facing hospitality and service staff to better recognize Autism Spectrum Disorder and to service the needs of ASD travelers from the planning stages of a vacation to when they arrive in the destination. More than 500 Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities employees and 1,200-plus Mesa Police Department public safety and law enforcement officers are fully committed to autism certification training. The panel will take place at the offices of the �� on Thursday beginning at 9:00 am. Registration information is available.

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Public policy wins and more earn Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry awards from national peers

Craig Ruiz — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 19:11:28 +0000

The Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry this week was honored by its peers across the country with three prestigious awards.

At the annual gathering of the National Association of State ��s and the Association of State �� Professionals in Anchorage, Alaska, the Arizona �� was recognized for excellence in public policy and for membership development.

The Arizona �� has long been viewed as the most influential public policy leader in the state business community. During the 2023 legislative session, the �� notched major wins in manufacturing,, and initiative reform. At a federal level, the �� has been a leading voice on issues as varied as semiconductors and the implementation of the CHIPS Act, air quality regulations, and pharmaceutical price controls.

“State chambers of commerce play a critical role in representing the concerns of the business community in their state capitols and within their congressional delegations,” Arizona �� President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “It’s a real honor to be recognized by our colleagues across the country for our public policy accomplishments and for our work to ensure Arizona remains the best state to do business. But the thanks should go to our members, who shape our agenda, amplify our message, and make us more effective, and to the lawmakers, statewide officeholders, and members of Congress from both parties who work with the business community to create jobs and opportunity.”

The Arizona ��’s membership growth stood out among state chambers, winning the Association of State �� Professionals awards for greatest growth in new members and for the greatest growth in non-dues revenue.

“Our current members are our best marketers,” Seiden said. “They share our work with their networks and open doors. There are some excellent membership teams at chambers across the country, so this is a tremendous recognition.”

The National Association of State ��s is the national organization for state chamber CEOs and their executive leadership, promoting cooperation and sharing best practices among state chambers of commerce. The Association of State �� Professionals is geared at membership professionals, helping chambers of commerce grow their chambers in both membership numbers and total revenue.

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National Assoc. of Manufacturers warns auto strike would wallop economy

Craig Ruiz — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:09:46 +0000

The National Association of Manufacturers, the nation’s leading advocacy organization on behalf of the manufacturing sector, is warning policymakers and the Biden administration that a threatened strike by the United Auto Workers would harm the U.S. economy.

UAW’s current contract with automakers expires on September 14.

“Manufacturers in America, especially in the automotive sector, operate in an integrated supply chain, which means that small and medium-sized manufacturers around the country—in union and non-union shops—would endure the consequences of a stoppage,” NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons said. “As we continue to emerge from the global pandemic and work to get our economy on a sustainable track, a strike would be devastating for working families across our country.”

Consulting firm Anderson Economic Group (AEG) that a strike on all three of the major U.S. automakers by the 143,000 UAW members could result in a total economic loss of more than $5 billion after 10 full days.

A six-week strike in 2019 by more than 48,000 UAW workers against General Motors provides a small example of how devastating a strike would be.

“When the UAW went on strike against GM in 2019, Michigan experienced a single quarter recession,” AEG Principal and CEO Patrick Anderson said. “If that happens, even a short strike would impact economies throughout Michigan and across the nation.”

Arizona Manufacturers Council Executive Director Grace Appelbe says her organization is watching the situation closely.

“A strike would have harmful downstream effects for the entire supply chain, including parts manufacturers in Arizona,” she said. “We’re hoping cooler heads prevail and that manufacturing will continue without interruption.”

Timmons says the White House should engage more directly in negotiations.

“President Biden has prioritized strengthening manufacturing in America, but that will be quickly undermined if a strike occurs,” he said. “The administration should be encouraging a swift resolution to avoid ripple effects throughout the broader manufacturing economy and in communities from coast to coast.”

UAW demands $80 billion to companies’ labor costs. They include a 40% pay increase, a switch to a pension system for all workers rather than a 401(k) plan, improved retiree benefits, and a 32-hour workweek rather than 40.

The union will provide eligible striking workers with $500 per week in strike pay, but only for as long as funds remain in its strike fund, which sits at $825 million.

As the auto sector recovers from the pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, new car inventories at dealerships remain lower than pre-pandemic at 56 days of supply. The 2019 inventory could last 86 days.

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Summer Policy Summit to explore regulatory regime’s effect on industry, economy

Craig Ruiz — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:37:04 +0000

The Arizona �� of Commerce & Industry and Arizona Manufacturers Council this week are hosting their Summer Policy Summit in Prescott.

The two-day event on Thursday and Friday will feature panelists and presentations focused on the impact of environmental regulations and public policy, as well as best practices in sustainability. Speakers and attendees include manufacturers, business leaders, and government officials.

The Manufacturers Council traditionally hosted an Environmental and Sustainability Summit each summer, but this year is teaming with the �� to expand the issues to be explored while maintaining its usual focus on environmental policy issues.

“There are so many ways environmental regulations affect industry in Arizona and our broader economy,” AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. “We thought it was time to widen the lens on our conversations and, hopefully, explore new issues and encourage the input of more voices.”

Discussions on Thursday will examine Arizona’s position in the semiconductor industry ecosystem and explore what the future of the state’s mining industry and the utility sector will look like. Attendees will also hear from state agency leaders from the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Land Department, and from the Governor’s Office of Resiliency.

On Friday, there will be a panel on workforce development, as well as discussions on water stewardship and air quality regulations.

“The business community is committed to being a good faith partner to ensure our region has clean air,” Appelbe said. “But we’re concerned that federal regulations are so rigid and unrealistic that they will constrain our economic growth and jeopardize jobs. This discussion at the conference with leading experts in air quality regulations is timely and necessary.”

�� President and CEO Danny Seiden last month testified before a joint state House-Senate legislative panel on the implications of the greater Phoenix area likely being designated by the federal government as a “serious nonattainment” area, a more stringent designation than the region’s current “moderate designation.”

Seiden told lawmakers that the serious nonattainment designation will result in new regulations on all types of businesses, not just large industrial employers like manufacturers, and the burden will be borne not only by existing businesses but will also be a drag on future economic development.

The Summer Policy Summit is sponsored by APS, Business for Water Stewardship, Intel, and SRP.

The event will take place at the Prescott Resort and Conference Center. More information on the event and agenda available.

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Craig Ruiz, Author at ��������