Housing affordability, water resources, workforce are among key points, concerns as AAED releases State of Arizona Economic Development survey

Housing affordability, water resources, workforce are among key points, concerns as AAED releases State of Arizona Economic Development survey

News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (May 10, 2023) – The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) announced the results of its State of Arizona Economic Development survey at its recent spring conference in Tucson. AAED surveyed its membership of more than 500 economic development practitioners and those that provide goods and services from the private sector.

With the economy on everyone’s mind, the survey showed that economic developers are an optimistic group and 46 percent expect strong growth to continue in 2023. Just 6 percent expect an economic downturn and the remainder expect slower growth or little change (no growth).

In contrast, 40 percent of service providers expect weakening growth in 2023, another 40 percent expect little change (but not a recession) and just 17 percent expect strong growth.

It was the second year for the survey taken to better understand current trends in economic development and the relationships between practitioners and service providers who are AAED members. Out of the 120 respondents, 88 were practitioners, and 32 were providers. This representative sample mirrors the makeup of the AAED membership. There was strong representation of practitioners from both urban and rural parts of Arizona.

Key takeaways from the survey:

  • Providers are concerned about permitting, regulations, and water resources;
  • Economic developers are concerned about the lack of available commercial and industrial buildings, and housing affordability and availability;
  • Talent is an important challenge to both practitioners and providers, but especially for providers;
  • Economic developers must continue to monitor and address workforce challenges and engage with partner organizations;
  • As an organization, AAED needs to be responsive to changes in local and state policy.

“It is vitally important AAED understands the concerns of the private and public sectors and how, as an organization, we can be responsive to those concerns,” said AAED Executive Director Carrie Kelly AAED. “Over the next year, monitoring and addressing workforce challenges, tackling housing affordability and availability, and being proactively involved in economic development policy and regulations is critical to the future success of our state.”

When asked about budgets, 41 percent of practitioners saw no change in their budgets. For the remaining 59 percent of practitioners, 29 percent had slight budget increases of 0 to 10 percent in the past year, and 24 percent had increases of more than 10 percent.  Only 13 percent of practitioners overall had budget decreases in the past year, but decreases were more common in medium-sized communities (50,000 to 250,000 population).

For practitioners who modified their strategic plan in the past year, there was a greater focus on housing, entrepreneurship and small business development, and workforce training across all respondents.  Looking at responses by service area size, small (less than 50,000) and medium communities (50,000 to 250,000) were more likely to focus on business retention, housing, and quality-of-life enhancements. Large communities are focused on entrepreneurship and small business development, workforce training, and emerging industries.

Practitioners are working to increase economic opportunity in their communities. The top responses in terms of approaches include providing resources for entrepreneurs, offering grants, mentoring programs, and assistance with loan applications. Practitioners also reported that they partner with chambers of commerce, community colleges, workforce development organizations, regional EDOs, and non-profits to enhance their economic development efforts.

Primary challenges for economic development in small communities include housing affordability and availability as well as a lack of available commercial and industrial buildings. Answers were similar for medium-sized communities which were also concerned about talent. Large communities are challenged by housing affordability, talent, building availability, and NIMBYism.

Among the 32 providers that completed the survey, 40 percent work for architecture and engineering firms, 10 percent work in the construction industry, and the remainder are spread across a range of other industries like consulting, education, and non-profits.

The survey shows they support economic development by providing leads and industry expertise to economic developers, and many also viewed economic developers as their customers. Some also view their role as helping to develop and maintain infrastructure to support economic development.

In terms of how economic developers benefit service providers, they provide data and information, leads, and industry expertise. Close to 60 percent of service providers also reported that economic developers are their customers.

     Challenges identified by practitioners include skilled labor/talent as No. 1 (same as No. 1 overall for practitioners), housing affordability (a concern shared by economic developers), and also complicated permitting process and regulations.

The 2023 survey committee included Kristen Stephenson, Greater Phoenix Economic Council; Sarah Murley, Applied Economics; Jennifer Graves, Town of Gilbert; Tami Ursenbach, Mohave County; and Ryan Jones, Regional Economic Development Center at Yavapai College.

“Talent attraction continues to be a key competitive factor in economic development in Arizona, and throughout the country,” Murley with Applied Economics said. “Arizona has benefitted from a high level of in-migration in recent years that have bolstered the labor force, but this year’s AAED survey also highlights the strong connection between workforce attraction and housing affordability in this rapid growth environment.”

About AAED

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) was founded in 1974 with a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. The Association works to promote economic development in the State of Arizona through an exchange of information and educational opportunities among its members, to act as a liaison with outside groups, to influence legislation affecting economic development, and to empower members to create relationships to improve the economic outlook for Arizona. For more information on AAED, visit aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

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by May 10, 2023
Hammes breaks ground on Buckeye medical office building; Integrity CRE to handle leasing

Hammes breaks ground on Buckeye medical office building; Integrity CRE to handle leasing

News & Updates

PEORIA, ARIZ. (May 10, 2023) – Hammes, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare development, broke ground on a new 48,000 SF, multi-tenant medical office building in Buckeye, Arizona, on May 1.

The leasing will be handled by Melynn Wakeman with Integrity CRE.

Conveniently located at the SWC of Watson Road and Sundance Parkway, the new Buckeye Medical Plaza will be visible from Watson Road with prominent signage. It will be within minutes of the planned Abrazo Medical Hospital and Banner Buckeye Hospital.

Planned services to be offered through building tenants include physical therapy, internal medicine, primary and multispecialty care, imaging, obstetrics and gynecology, specialized pediatric services, and lab.

“The Buckeye Medical Plaza will provide a huge benefit to our residents,” said Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn. “Providing quality medical care, in the heart of the city, will meet the demands of our growing community.”

“We’re pleased to be bringing a new, state-of-the-art medical office building to one of the fastest growing cities in the United States,” said Steve Buckeridge, Senior Vice President of Hammes Partners. “The Buckeye Medical Plaza will be an ideal location for healthcare providers seeking to relocate to or expand their footprint in Buckeye.”

The project is expected to be completed in early 2024.

For more information about Integrity CRE, visit www.integrityRealty4U.com.

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by May 10, 2023
Haley Harrison Hospitality acquires Zion River RV Resort for $17.7M, NAI Horizon facilitates deal

Haley Harrison Hospitality acquires Zion River RV Resort for $17.7M, NAI Horizon facilitates deal

News & Updates

VIRGIN, UTAH (May 9, 2023) – NAI Horizon, a leading commercial real estate brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Zion River RV Resort & Campground by Haley Harrison Hospitality, LLC of Springdale, Utah, for $17.7 million.

Andrew Warner, CCIM, First Vice President of NAI Horizon’s Manufactured Housing & RV Park Investments Group, represented the buyer. Jason Griffith with NAI Excel assisted in the transaction.

Located just 13 miles from the awe-inspiring Zion National Park, Zion River RV Resort & Campground is a true oasis, nestled beside Utah’s tranquil Virgin River and surrounded by a vista of vibrant colored mountains. This prime destination serves as the perfect base camp for day trips to Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon North Rim, and Cedar Breaks National Monument, among other renowned Southwest locations.

“We are thrilled to have facilitated this acquisition on behalf of Haley Harrison Hospitality,” Warner said. “Zion River RV Resort & Campground is an exceptional property, offering visitors a unique and luxurious camping experience with easy access to some of the nation’s most breathtaking nature preserves.”

The resort offers an array of amenities, including rustic cabins, full-hookup RV sites, a heated swimming pool and spa, a gazebo kitchen, a playground, and a business center. Guests can also take advantage of the on-site shuttle service, convenience store, and exceptional guest services. Family-friendly activities are available throughout the year, making Zion River Resort the ideal retreat for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The seller of the property was Zion RV Park, LLC, of Sacramento, California. As part of its ongoing expansion efforts, Haley Harrison Hospitality is aggressively seeking to place an additional $32 million in 1031 Exchange funds.

About Haley Harrison Hospitality, LLC

Haley Harrison Hospitality is a Springdale, Utah-based company specializing in hospitality management and investment. With a commitment to exceptional guest experiences and a focus on premier destinations, the company continues to expand its portfolio across the United States.

About NAI Horizon

Exceptional global commercial real estate solutions begin with local market leadership and expertise. Established in 1992, NAI Horizon is a full-service commercial real estate company serving Arizona with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. NAI Horizon is passionate about commercial real estate, providing Brokerage and Property Management Services for local, national, and international clients. NAI Horizon is a member of the NAI Global commercial real estate network providing real estate solutions to more than 300 offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.naihorizon.com.

About NAI Global

 Advisory Services, Leasing, Property Management, Property & Note Sales, and Tenant Representation

NAI Global is a leading global commercial real estate brokerage firm. NAI Global offices are leaders in their local markets and work in unison to provide clients with exceptional solutions to their commercial real estate needs. NAI Global has more than 300 offices in 43 countries strategically located throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific, with 5,100 local market professionals managing over 1.1 billion square feet of property and facilities. Annually, NAI Global completes more than $20 billion in commercial real estate transactions and gross revenue of $1.5 billion.

NAI Global professionals achieve extraordinary results for clients locally and globally through creativity, collaboration, and the consistent delivery of exceptional knowledge and service that only market-leading firms can provide. NAI Global provides a full range of corporate real estate services, including brokerage and leasing, property and facilities management, real estate investment and capital market services, due diligence, global supply chain, logistics consulting, and related advisory services.

To learn more, visit www.naiglobal.com.

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by May 09, 2023
Mazzon Industries announces 5th partnership: The Industry, influential Valley commercial real estate management professionals, mentors

Mazzon Industries announces 5th partnership: The Industry, influential Valley commercial real estate management professionals, mentors

News & Updates

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (May 9, 2023) ‒ Daniel Mazzon, President of Mazzon Industries, is pleased to announce a fifth partnership today – The Industry.

Composed of mentors and managers, The Industry is an exclusive group of influential commercial real estate management professionals who have been brought together to inspire, educate, and guide the next generation of leaders in order to make the market and those involved in it grow and progress.

Featuring signature mentor speaking events, unique social experiences, and unmatched networking resources, members of The Industry will tap into an environment that, to date, has not existed in the Phoenix market. Led by some of the most influential commercial real estate professionals, The Industry’s membership roster will include more than 90 percent property management specialists, stretching across a diverse set of skills and aspects within the commercial real estate industry.

     “Every mentor in The Industry has been hand-picked for a reason, but they all share one common trait: the ability to influence professionals to further develop in their careers,” Mazzon said. “If I’m going to represent the best-in-class service providers that the market has to offer, I believe managers should have access to the best-in-class mentors.”

Mazzon Industries will launch The Industry in June for those interested and accepted to become members. Invitations for The Industry will be released starting on May 15.

Mazzon Industries is a commercial real estate sales and account management firm that represents only one premier service provider in each line of service and gives property managers the ability to have one point of contact in order to streamline success across the portfolio of assets they manage. It represents the top companies in Arizona in restoration, janitorial, parking, and fire protection.

“By adding The Industry, I hope to break the mold and aim to move the industry in a more positive direction,” Mazzon said. “By the end of 2023, I will represent all of the best-in-class service providers needed at an asset and customize platforms to meet that asset’s needs.

“It is imperative to streamline exceptional service providers across a portfolio of assets to ensure consistency and results. Whether you’re a property owner, manager, engineer, tenant, or visitor, this is a progressive action where everyone wins,” Mazzon said.

To find out more regarding eligibility to join this new platform, email Mazzon at daniel@mazzonindustries.com.

For more information about Mazzon Industries visit mazzonindustries.com.

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by May 09, 2023
AAED bestows AZED Pro designation on 8 economic developers at 2023 spring meeting

AAED bestows AZED Pro designation on 8 economic developers at 2023 spring meeting

News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (May 8, 2023) — As the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) celebrates Economic Development Week, it is pleased to announce eight economic developers and business professionals from across the state have earned their AZED Pro designation from The Academy of Arizona, AAED’s formal education program.

To earn an AZED Pro certification, economic development professionals must complete seven courses including: Economic Development in Arizona; Business Retention and Expansion; Taxation, Finance, and Incentives; Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development; Marketing and Business Development; Workforce Development; and an elective.

The Academy of Arizona, presented by AAED, is a formal education program aimed at ensuring Arizona’s economic development and business professionals receive the most current and relevant training in topics pertaining to the practice of economic development in Arizona. A structured ongoing professional development program is required to maintain the AZED Pro designation.

AZED Pro graduates announced at the 2023 AAED Spring Conference last month in Tucson:

  • Katherine Anderson, AZED Pro, Yavapai College REDC;
  • Roger Biede, AZED Pro, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce;
  • Crisi Clark, AZED Pro, Town of Camp Verde;
  • Courtney Gulley, AZED Pro, Pinal County;
  • Francesca Miller, AZED Pro, Multistudio;
  • Brian Wright, AZED Pro, City of Buckeye;
  • Meg Zemlicka, AZED Pro, Marketing Alliance, Inc.;
  • Creag Znetko, AZED Pro, City of Flagstaff.

“Gaining AZED Pro designation is a differentiator when it comes to the overall expertise and knowledge of economic development and business professionals,” said AAED Executive Director Carrie Kelly. “This commitment ensures that these professionals have the tools they need to continue propelling Arizona communities forward.”

 About AAED

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) was founded in 1974 with a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. The Association works to promote economic development in the State of Arizona through an exchange of information and educational opportunities among its members, to act as a liaison with outside groups, to influence legislation affecting economic development, and to empower members to create relationships to improve the economic outlook for Arizona. For more information on AAED, visit aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

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by May 08, 2023
Desert Science Development wins 2023 REIAC/Rockefeller Group Challenge with life science project; event celebrates 10th anniversary

Desert Science Development wins 2023 REIAC/Rockefeller Group Challenge with life science project; event celebrates 10th anniversary

News & Updates

Three teams compete in finals of 10th Annual Arizona State University MRED event.

      PHOENIX, ARIZ. (May 8, 2023) – Med tech labs. A fitness component. A retail park. Connected pathways. The creation of 10,000 jobs.

When the dust settled at the 10th annual REIAC/Rockefeller Group Challenge at Arizona Country Club, it was the Discovery Oasis – Desert Science Development team that took home the cash prize of $1,000 per team member among the three teams of graduating Masters of Real Estate Development (MRED) students from Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business.

This year the competing teams of graduating ASU MRED students presented their development proposal for the vacant 218 acres owned by Mayo Clinic at 56th to 64th streets and Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix. Student teams presented their response to a request for development proposals created with Mayo and the MRED program.

A 10th-anniversary presentation recognizing MRED program alumni was held before the presentations.

The winning team of Casey Mahoney, Shane Doherty, McKenna Palmer, and Isa Ragland said its goal was to “create a sense of place by developing five innovative hubs to work together as an ecosystem.”

The Discovery Oasis – Desert Science Development comprises six phases to be built over 23 years, totaling 3 MSF of medical tech office space. Phase 1 features med tech lab facilities, a retail park, open spaces, and a museum. Phase 1 also included a convention center. Other phases included a community hub, research and development hub, and education and incubator hub. Phase 1 is where the synergy between Mayo and ASU exists, the team said.

“For the past 10 years we have produced graduates that the industry wants. These are graduates going into the industry and becoming industry leaders,” said Mark Stapp, director of the MRED program. “Although there is one winner in the Challenge, all student teams do excellent work. Each year we have great people involved, and even greater development projects to judge.

“It’s the faculty that delivers the content that’s so important to people in the industry. That was especially true for this particular assignment. The mentors and students alike were phenomenal. This is as rich and as real as we can make it,” Stapp said.

The other finalists and their projects:

>> Discovery Oasis – CORTEX: Jill Yen, Matt Howze, Ryan DuMars, and Jimmy Hawkins presented a development with lab and office space in which to generate research opportunities. It included hospitality and multifamily components and featured 7.8 MSF of buildable space. Other components were a Fitwell Center, retail space, and family care and education facilities.

>> Discovery Oasis – Echelon Development: Ann Johnson, Kolby Smith, Cody Deppen, and Zach Jaffe presented a project whose focus was entrepreneurship, education, and community. The proposal includes 46 buildings covering more than 5 MSF. It features three cores across the site: multifamily and office; med tech labs; and research and development space.

Each team was allotted 10 minutes to present a development solution followed by questions from the audience. Audience members chose the winning team immediately after the presentations.

“Two things get better every year,” Stapp said. “One is the support that comes from the REIAC membership and Rockefeller Group because that’s how this becomes real in terms of the student experience and not just in theory. The student experience continues to improve as we develop an alumni base who give back. As the program develops a reputation, we get better students every year.”

In addition to sponsoring the annual Challenge, REIAC Southwest awards two $2,500 scholarships to MRED students that have a financial need and want to pursue real estate careers in Arizona after they graduate.

“I am beyond belief that we are in our 10th year. Still, I continue to be impressed by the scope and execution of the presentations,” said Mark Singerman, Rockefeller Group Vice President/Regional Director and past REIAC Southwest President. “Rockefeller Group is extremely proud to have its name associated with this great program.” ​

 About REIAC

 The Real Estate Investment Advisory Council (REIAC) was established as a nonprofit trade association to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, concerns and experiences among senior executives who conduct real estate transactions. The invitation-only group limits its membership to senior-level executives at companies, who act as principals, and whose function is to develop, acquire, manage and/or finance real estate. Institutional quality programs and peer-to-peer relationship-building opportunities have established REAIC’s reputation throughout the national real estate investment community as one of its premier associations. www.reiac.org  The Power of REIAC

 About MRED

In nine months, the W. P. Carey Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) prepares students to lead real development projects that are environmentally respectful, socially responsible, and artfully designed. The MRED program is transdisciplinary, aligning principled instruction with dynamic real-world application. MRED is a unique partnership between four highly regarded schools within Arizona State University:

  • The W. P. Carey School of Business
  • The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
  • The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
  • The Del E. Webb School of Construction https://programs.wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/real-estate-development

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by May 08, 2023
TEPCON Construction, Inc. celebrates 20 years of providing specialized general contracting services

TEPCON Construction, Inc. celebrates 20 years of providing specialized general contracting services

News & Updates

     TEMPE, ARIZ. (May 4, 2023) – Building communities by building relationships accurately describes what drives TEPCON Construction, Inc.

Founded in 2003 by Tom Pritscher as a small consulting effort for commercial clients, the locally-owned general contractor later expanded to a full-service general contracting firm and is celebrating 20 years of providing specialized construction services in occupied corporate environments.

TEPCON employs nearly 50 people at its Tempe headquarters. Its culture revolves around three important core values – Respect, Safety, and Teamwork – which are taken very seriously by all team members. These core values inform every interaction both internally among fellow employees and also in external practices between the company and people with whom employees come in contact, including clients, vendors, and trade partners.

“Our core values are integral to the way we operate. It’s an internal practice between TEPCON employees, as well as an external practice between the company and every person we come in contact with,” Pritscher explained. “Regardless of the scope and size, everything we do is relationship-focused and quality-driven. When asked what size project TEPCON does, I often quote my dad, who was a contractor: ‘We’ll change a lockset for a client in Hong Kong if that’s what they need.’ In other words, TEPCON will do anything for a client.”

TEPCON works in concert with facility and property managers and sees itself as an extension of a client’s internal team for all of its construction efforts. More than a dozen Fortune 500 clients are repeat customers and several have partnered with TEPCON since its inception in 2003. Projects range from small facility construction maintenance to large tenant improvement projects and an occasional ground-up project.

“Our philosophy is to bring our facility knowledge and relationship culture to every project, positively impacting results and personal satisfaction of clients, employees, and subcontractors,” Pritscher said. “Every project starts with listening to our client’s needs and concerns. Using our facility and operations knowledge makes us experts in our field, but our forward-thinking partnership mentality sets us apart.”

As a full-service general contractor that self-performs select trades, TEPCON can provide faster results and consistent labor, ensuring that projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards.

TEPCON assembles the best team for each specific challenge while maintaining a consistent, professional worker aesthetic. To ensure the safety and security of its clients and their facilities, TEPCON drug screens and background checks each of its employees and adheres to strict guidelines when working in occupied environments.

“We aim to blend into corporate environments while delivering controlled project costs, timely scheduling, and unmatchable quality,” Pritscher said. “We understand facility and property managers and aim to become an extension of the team to make their goals our business.”

This approach has ensured that TEPCON clients consistently re-engage over time.

“I have worked with TEPCON Construction for the last 20 years. TEPCON displays a high level of professionalism, experience, dedication, and commitment to quality on all their construction projects,” said Rick Corea IFMA Fellow, retired Senior Director, Global Facilities for ON Semiconductor. “TEPCON does an outstanding job cultivating a teamwork-oriented construction environment.”

TEPCON also prides itself in knowing it is more than just a construction company – its employees are active members of the community. It is committed to strengthening, enriching, and supporting the community. And community involvement isn’t just an annual event at TEPCON – it’s a year-round effort.

TEPCON Cares is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization started in 2018 with the express mission to make a difference in the lives of people in our community.

“We find that community involvement creates an environment of collaboration within the workplace,” Pritscher said. “When acting as a team, through TEPCON Cares, we can achieve more. Giving is one of the most powerful things a person can do. Our hope is that by sharing our giving story it will inspire others to do the same.”

For more information visit tepcon.com.

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by May 04, 2023
Valley attorney Michelle De Blasi celebrates 3rd anniversary with ASU Mentor of the Year award

Valley attorney Michelle De Blasi celebrates 3rd anniversary with ASU Mentor of the Year award

News & Updates

     SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.  (May 4, 2023) – Prominent environmental, natural resources and energy attorney Michelle De Blasi is celebrating her firm’s third anniversary with an added accolade – 2023 Mentor of the Year, Arizona State University Program on Law & Sustainability Mentorship Initiative.

The Law Office of Michelle De Blasi was founded on May 1, 2020. De Blasi focuses on business strategy by helping clients in a broad array of industries complete their projects from start to finish, overseeing all aspects of permitting, while assessing business risks and hitting milestones on time and on budget.

De Blasi possesses decades of experience assisting clients obtain successful results with their environmental, natural resource and energy projects. She has led numerous large-scale, complex environmental remediation enforcement and brownfield cases, and has completed environmental compliance, due diligence and permitting for some of the largest industrial facilities under development in the Valley.

As a mentor to the next generation of women attorneys, De Blasi advises individuals to find their purpose and passion in the practice of law. Recognizing a need for law students to receive mentoring, De Blasi worked with Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law to found the Mentorship Initiative for Sustainability Law (MISL), which links experienced attorneys with law students studying within the Program on Law and Sustainability.

Each year the students nominate a mentor who goes above and beyond to receive the Mentor of the Year award.

“The MISL program is just one of the many incredible attributes of the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Sustainability Law program that sets it apart,” De Blasi said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been a champion of women, whether through mentorship or being mentored.  I am very excited to be at the helm of a woman-owned business, which is uncommon in my industry. It is also for this reason that I established The Women’s Professional Power Scholarship at ASU’s law school.

“The scholarship provides need-based educational scholarship funds to women law students who will be entering the legal field, as well as professional guidance related to skills that are essential to a successful law practice,” De Blasi said.

Now in its eighth year, MISL creates opportunities for lawyers to provide one-on-one professional guidance and to share practical knowledge and skills with second- and third-year law students to aid them in the critical transition from law student to legal practitioner.  De Blasi assists the MISL program to pair experienced attorney-mentors with ASU law student mentees in the fall semester of each academic year.

“Michelle is critical to the MISL program’s annual success,” said Professor Troy Rule, the Joseph Feller Memorial Chair in Law and Sustainability and Faculty Director of the Law and Sustainability Program at ASU Law. “We’re incredibly grateful to Michelle for playing such an integral role in this valuable initiative.”

When she launched her firm in 2020, De Blasi already had a successful practice built on her decades of experience and relationships assisting clients obtain successful results with their environmental, natural resource and energy projects. She brought many years of government and “Big Law” experience to her own firm to provide more effective client service at a lower cost.

“Over the past decade the legal market has been changing, with even large companies focusing more on specific areas of expertise for their legal counsel instead of the large law firm billable hour model. The world is becoming more virtual, including law,”  De Blasi said.  “I’m very grateful to be able to provide more efficient and focused legal services and strategic partnerships for my clients who are undertaking many of the world’s issues, while still being able to partner with many law firms of all sizes who do not have counsel with my areas of expertise.”

De Blasi advises clients on state and federal environmental regulatory levels.  Clients consistently rely on her knowledge of hazardous waste, air quality, water quality, environmental health and safety, real property due diligence, utility regulation, natural resource damage issues, asbestos, and underground storage tank regulation.

Throughout her many years of experience on the energy side of her practice, De Blasi has advised clients on due diligence, permitting, siting and contractual agreements for energy generation projects, both traditional and alternative energy, as well as carbon emissions tracking and reporting.  With the vast increase in the implementation of renewable energy across all industries, this skill set has proved to be invaluable in assisting her numerous clients with their projects, whether they are utilizing renewable energy or generating it.

De Blasi is active in industry organizations and serves as the Co-Chair of the Federal Affairs Committee for Valley Partnership; Board Member and Past President, of the Phoenix Parks Foundation; and Executive Director of the Arizona Energy Consortium.

A native of Colorado, De Blasi earned a B.S. in political science with a minor in biology/zoology from Arizona State University and a J.D., Law, Certificate of Emphasis in Environmental Law, from the University of Washington.

For more information visit mdb-law.com.

 

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by May 04, 2023
Best of NAIOP honors the most successful projects, companies, individuals of 2022 within Arizona’s  commercial real estate community

Best of NAIOP honors the most successful projects, companies, individuals of 2022 within Arizona’s commercial real estate community

News & Updates

     PHOENIX, ARIZ. (May 3, 2023) – Commercial real estate’s leading annual awards, the Best of NAIOP, celebrated the top-performing people, companies, and projects of the past year on April 27 at the Arizona Biltmore. The Arizona Chapter of NAIOP bestowed awards in 34 categories before a full house of nearly 1,000 commercial real estate professionals.

“Congratulations to all the 2022 Best of NAIOP nominees and winners. We recognize your efforts and are grateful for your contributions to our community,” said Best of NAIOP Chairmen CJ Osbrink, Newmark, and Jeff Foster, Prologis. “We want to extend our utmost gratitude to the NAIOP staff, Board of Directors, and the Best of NAIOP committee volunteers for all the hard work and time they have put forth in making this such a successful and rewarding evening.”

NAIOP Arizona kicked off the evening with the prestigious Award of Excellence. This year’s recipient, Keith Earnest with VanTrust Real Estate, was recognized for his more than 20 years of contributions to NAIOP and to commercial real estate in Arizona and beyond.

Company winners were ViaWest Group, Firm of the Year; Prologis, Industrial Owner/Developer of the Year; Lincoln Property Company Desert West, Office Owner/Developer of the Year; Willmeng, General Contractor of the Year and Tenant Improvement Contractor of the Year; Butler Design Group, Architect of the Year; McCarthy Nordburg, Interior Architect of the Year; Western Alliance Bank, Lender Firm of the Year; and Suntec Concrete, Subcontractor of the Year.

In the brokerage awards, JLL was Brokerage Firm of the Year; Cushman & Wakefield had three individual/team winners;  CBRE and Newmark both had two individual/team winners.

For project awards, Transaction of the Year went to CRG’s The Cubes at South Mesa – Lowe’s Home Improvement Build-to-Suit. Elliot Gateway, developed by Trammell Crow Company with Graycor Construction Company Inc. as the General Contractor, won Spec Industrial Project of the Year More Than 500,000 SF. ViaWest Group’s Sight Logistics Park took home both Redevelopment Project of the Year and Spec Industrial Less than 500,000 SF. Hines’ The Adeline won the inaugural Multifamily Project of the Year award.

“It was an incredible night celebrating the tremendous projects and great achievements by our NAIOP members in 2022. Congratulations to all that were nominated and to the award winners – job very well done,” said 2023 NAIOP Arizona Board Chair Cathy Thuringer with Trammell Crow Company.

 2022 Best of NAIOP Arizona winners

Architect of the Year: Butler Design Group
Brokerage Firm of the Year: JLL Phoenix

Firm of the Year: ViaWest Group

General Contractor of the Year: Willmeng

Industrial Owner/Developer of the Year: Prologis
Interior Architect of the Year: McCarthy Nordburg
Lender Firm of the Year: Western Alliance Bank
Office Owner/Developer of the Year: Lincoln Property Company Desert West
Subcontractor/Vendor Firm of the Year: Suntec Concrete
Tenant Improvement Contractor of the Year: Willmeng
Title/Escrow Firm of the Year: Chicago Title
Developing Leader of the Year: Josh Tracy, Ryan Companies
Emerging Broker of the Year: Tanner Ferrandi, CBRE
Healthcare Broker of the Year: Kathleen Morgan, Newmark
Industrial Broker of the Year: Mike Haenel, Andy Markham, Phil Haenel, Cushman & Wakefield
Investment Broker of the Year: Will Strong, Cushman & Wakefield
Office Broker of the Year: Scott Boardman and Kristina Cutillo, Cushman & Wakefield
Retail Broker of the Year: Steve Julius, Jesse Goldsmith and Chase Dorsett, Newmark
Tenant Representative Broker of the Year: Chuck Nixon, CBRE
Economic Impact Project of the Year: Goodyear Civic Square at GSQ
Industrial Build-to-Suit Project of the Year: Pepsico @ Tolleson Corporate Park
Industrial Tenant Improvement Project of the Year: 10 West Commerce
Mixed-Use Project of the Year: The Grove
Multifamily Project of the Year: The Adeline
Office Build-to-Suit Project of the Year: CCS Corporate HQ
Office Tenant Improvement Project of the Year Less Than 100,000 SF: JLL Phoenix Office at The Grove
Office Tenant Improvement Project of the Year More Than 100,000 SF: 301 Jefferson
Redevelopment Project of the Year: Sight Logistics Park
Retail Project of the Year: Retail at Cavasson
Spec Industrial Project of the Year Less Than 500,000 SF: Sight Logistics Park
Spec Industrial Project of the Year More Than 500,000 SF: Elliot Gateway
Spec Office Project of the Year: 100 Mill
Sustainable Project of the Year: The Beam on Farmer
Transaction of the Year: The Cubes at Mesa South, Building C (Loews Home Improvement)

 

Office Tenant Improvement Project of the Year Less Than 100,000 SF: JLL Phoenix Office at The Grove

 About NAIOP

NAIOP, a 20,000+ member organization in North America provides unparalleled industry networking and education, and advocates for effective legislation on behalf of its members. It is the leading association for developers, owners, and related professionals in office, industrial, retail, multifamily and mixed-use real estate. The Arizona Chapter represents over 1,000 members and is among the largest in the 50+ network. 

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by May 03, 2023
City of Winslow’s Una Wirkebau named 2023 Economic Developer of the Year, Small Community, at AAED’s annual EDDE Awards

City of Winslow’s Una Wirkebau named 2023 Economic Developer of the Year, Small Community, at AAED’s annual EDDE Awards

News & Updates

     TUCSON, Ariz. (May 2, 2023) – Una Wirkebau with the City of Winslow was named 2023 Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) Economic Developer of the Year for a Small Community at the annual Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence (EDDE) Awards at the spring conference in Tucson last week.

The EDDE Awards honor the best economic development practices for individuals, organizations and companies that have significantly contributed to the advancement of economic growth in the state. Recipients are selected from a pool of nominations made by members of AAED.

The Small Community Award honors an economic development professional in a community of fewer than 50,000 people. Wirkebau’s contributions to the Winslow community include several impactful initiatives.

Wirkebau secured $300,000 in grant funding to expand a local farmer’s market, which increased the footprint of education and access to locally made and grown food. She spearheaded Why Not Winslow, a place branding initiative, broadening Winslow’s reach on Facebook and Instagram.

Wirkebau partnered with Moonshot at Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), which allowed for the community’s first pitch event. She worked with Local First Arizona to host a first-of-its-kind Rural Policy Forum in Winslow, connecting rural economic development professionals, community leaders, business owners, nonprofits, and other rural stakeholders interested in sustaining rural communities.

Additionally, she was part of the team that advocated for the funding to fix the levee in Winslow as a part of the $65.5 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act work plan from the Army Corps of Engineers. The Winslow Levee Project will help hundreds of Winslow residents get out of a flood plain and save money on home insurance.

About AAED

The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) was founded in 1974 to serve as Arizona’s unified voice for responsible economic development through professional education, public policy, and collaboration. The Association works to promote economic development in the State of Arizona through an exchange of information and educational opportunities among its members, to act as a liaison with outside groups, to influence legislation affecting economic development, and to empower members to create relationships to improve the economic outlook for Arizona. For more information on AAED, visit aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

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by May 02, 2023