Last month, the Arizona Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council hosted the annual Environmental & Sustainability Summit in Prescott.

Each year, the event convenes leaders in environmental and sustainability practices across business, policy and regulation. The lineup addressed topics at the forefront of the environmental conversation both locally and nationally, with expert panels on local policy and enforcement, water, utilities, corporate sustainability and more.

This year’s program featured not one but two keynote addresses from members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Region 9 Administrator Mike Stoker and Acting Deputy Administrator/Chief of Operations Henry Darwin joined the summit to discuss the new wave of leadership taking on the EPA both at a regional and national level.

Administrator Stoker has taken an especially hands-on approach to his position, traveling for the majority of his first 90 days in office to demonstrate his commitment to understanding and finding solutions for the environmental policy issues that the unique communities within the region face. Administrator Stoker, who has been on the job for just over three months, laid out his priorities for infrastructure needs in the 148 tribal nations included in the region and doing the same in the U.S. Pacific Islands.

“In all those situations, it’s an issue of if you don’t have the money you don’t have the infrastructure, if you don’t have the infrastructure you’re going to have sewage issues, safe drinking water issues,� Administrator Stoker said. “Those three areas are my top priorities and they’re priorities that are actually solvable.�

At the state level, Administrator Stoker has already entered into collaborations with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to pursue goals surrounding water quality, drinking and waste water treatment, the mining industry and navigating the Waters of the United States rules. He also pledged the support of Region 9 toward realizing the late Senator John McCain’s vision for a restored Rio Salado.

Administrator Stoker finished with the following thoughts: “You don’t have to be for business and be against the environment or be for the environment and be against business. You can be for both. That’s what I stand for.�

The following day, Acting Deputy Administrator and Chief of Operations, and Arizona’s own, Henry Darwin joined to discuss the EPA’s direction on a federal level.

Darwin has taken the same lean management principles, which he also likes to call visual management, that he successfully implemented during his time at ADEQ and as the chief of operations for the state of Arizona, all the way up to the EPA. By heavily emphasizing tracking and workflow, Darwin aims to streamline productivity at an agency that has long been bogged down by inefficient systems.

“To be candid, the systems in place at the EPA have largely become broken. The good news is that people are recognizing that, and it’s on the mend,� Administrator Darwin said. “We’re getting everyone behind the same mission, and getting them to realize that any job they’re doing, it can be done better.�

In addition to revamping day-to-day operations at the agency, Administrator Darwin also chairs the Regulatory Reform Task Force, which is responsible for reviewing all of the feedback received during the commentary period. The task force will take notably burdensome regulations under consideration to determine whether they are necessary for environmental good or only serve as a barrier to business. The goal of the task force is to ultimately cut back on stifling regulations that do not serve the environmental good.

During its commentary period, the task force received over 400,000 comments and suggestions about regulations. In the coming months Darwin will lead the charge in analyzing these comments and using them to cut back on overly burdensome regulations that harm business and play no role in actually protecting the environment.

“I’m a huge believer in the power of the ‘and.’ We can both improve our economic abilities, grow our economy and at the same time protect the environment,â€� Administrator Darwin said. Ìý

Administrator Darwin is also committed to improving processes for projects vital to economic growth, such as nation-wide improvements to infrastructure, by making the permitting process more navigable.

The Environmental & Sustainability Summit also featured panels addressing issues at the forefront of Arizona environmental policy, such as water, energy initiatives, corporate sustainability, an elections preview and an agency update from ADEQ.

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In recent years, Arizona State University has been unstoppable, forging partnerships with some of the biggest names in the game (think Starbucks, Adidas, Mayo Clinic, the list goes on). While some of these partnerships receive attention nationally and beyond, the institution does far more work to champion its innovative and inclusive mission than many realize.

Take Intel, for example, which is a stalwart champion of education and prosperity throughout the state. Over the years, Intel has supported more than 30 projects at ASU, ranging from research to career development and more.

“Our relationship with Intel is a great example of a natural, grassroots partnership that arose organically out of shared missions and vision,� said Grace O’Sullivan, assistant vice president of corporate engagement and strategic partnerships for ASU’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development. “Intel does everything from providing adjunct professors to sitting on various ASU boards, and providing strategic direction.�

All of this, O’Sullivan says, is crucial to ensure that higher education is aligned with the needs of the state’s businesses and major economic drivers. In addition to helping businesses, partners like Intel have proven beneficial for students, who are provided an example of where their years of study could lead. A true testament to the professional pipeline ASU is constantly working to improve, around 5 percent of Intel’s behemoth global workforce comes from ASU.

Both global enterprises, together, ASU and Intel reach far beyond the state and even the continent. Through the Higher Engineering Education Alliance Program (HEEAP), a program originally funded in 2010 by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID), ASU and Intel work with the Vietnamese Ministry of Education to provide advanced education to prepare upcoming engineers for Vietnam’s high-tech industry. Since its inception, the program has only grown to include more programs for Vietnamese students and professionals, including administrative and smart business training opportunities among others.

ASU’s partnership with Intel is the perfect example of how ASU leverages corporate partnerships to break into new markets, providing access to higher education across the globe.

“We approach every potential partnership from a position of listening first,� O’Sullivan said. “We take industry needs very seriously, which is why we frequently sit down with new and prospective partners for curriculum reviews. We have to engage with businesses so we can know how to improve what we produce, which is in this case the students and future faces of the workforce.�

Unique corporate partnerships are essential to ASU’s continued investment in its global footprint. As ASU goes about forging these relationships, the Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development is constantly looking for creative solutions to societal issues.

“In short, it is our responsibility to engage, locally and globally, to be socially embedded and to do the research,� O’Sullivan said. “We need to know what the problems are so we can find the right solutions. So we can mobilize around the cause in service of improving society.�

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Nearly six years ago, when creating its annual Arizona Roadmap to Veteran Employment, the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF) noticed a hole in the statewide system. The government and community sectors were engaged and active in their efforts to employ veterans, but the same could not be said of the private corporate sector.

Recognizing this gap, representatives of Arizona Public Service (APS) and United Services Automobile Association (USAA) came together with ACMF to establish the Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers (ACCVC). This completed what is referred to as the “tripod,� ensuring that the non-profit, government and corporate sectors are all doing their part to best serve veterans.

The veteran unemployment rate stands between 3.2-4.5 percent, but Thomas Winkel, executive director of ACMF, wants to see that number at zero. Initiatives like those taken by ACCVC play a huge role in achieving that. “Through outreach to like minded business that want to play a part, we’re able to move the needle more,� Winkel said.

Ultimately, ACCVC’s goal is to combat unemployment and, even more prevalent, underemployment by providing companies with the resources necessary to understand and utilize veterans, ensuring that they are placed in challenging careers worthy of their skills. “Underemployment is of great concern to us,� Winkel said. “These are remarkable people with remarkable skills. Underutilization means an impact for their psyche and potentially a wage impact for their family. It becomes a real issue.�

ACCVC offers training programs for human resources departments to address the common lack of understanding that can prevent veterans from fully translating their skills into civilian careers.

ACCVC uses a multipronged approach to achieve this goal. In addition to developing programs to educate corporate human resources departments, they share best practices and provide resources and staff to guarantee opportunities for veterans.

“We realize that there is a market out there to get companies across Arizona speaking the same language, in the same mindset and looking at veterans in the same way,� said Hal Pittman, director of external communications at APS. “How can we work together to make sure that they’re in the right place, and that they’re being challenged?�

ACCVC recognizes that this is not a one-sided problem. It takes buy-in from companies as well as veterans themselves to ensure the needs of Ìýboth sides are met. It is just as crucial for corporate hirers to know the right questions to ask a veteran as it is for veterans to understand how to talk about their skills in a way that will translate. When these two things are done well, both sides reap the benefits.

In veterans, companies stand to gain highly dedicated, goal and task oriented employees who trained to be team focused rather than individually concerned.

ACCVC’s work does not end when the employment offer is signed. The council continually works with organizations to further develop a culture that properly utilizes veterans, listens to them and understands how to harness the array of capabilities that veterans bring. Ìý

ACCVC’s plan is to continue the good work, to partner with other veteran services groups and get the word out, ensuring that there is a constant drumbeat reminding all involved to do their part in this arena.

“For those that are trying to figure it out, be it companies or veterans, we’re trying to help,� Pittman said.

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This week, the wave of retaliatory tariffs in response to the Trump Administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs is cresting, posing a serious threat to industry in the United States and Arizona.

The administration’s latest provocation continues to prod the issue, potentially bringing a global trade war to a head.

The administration on June 1 extended steel and aluminum tariffs to Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Furthermore, this Friday, the U.S. will impose tariffs on $34 billion worth of imports from China, and China will impose tariffs equaling the same amount on U.S. goods.

This slew of tariffs comes down on $75 billion worth of American exports.

CBN spoke with John G. Murphy, senior vice president of international affairs policy at the U.S. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ of Commerce, about the implications of an intensifying trade war.

“American exports from manufacturers, farmers, ranchers are in the cross hairs,� Murphy said. “At a time when the economy is doing so well, thanks in part to tax reform and regulatory reform, we’re very concerned that a trade war will overturn all of our progress.�

Murphy detailed the effect that the initial steel and aluminum tariffs have already had on the American economy, emphasizing that the price of steel and aluminum have risen by 50 and 130 percent respectively. For some in the manufacturing and construction industries, this huge blow replaces the benefit companies received from the landmark tax reform legislation passed late last year.

A recently released U.S. Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ report examines the state-by-state implications the tariffs could have should they be implemented.

What’s on the line for Arizona? A potential total of $266 million of state exports would be threatened. From Mexico alone, Arizona’s largest trade partner, nearly $155 million worth of exports could be compromised.

These retaliatory tariffs would make Arizona-made goods more expensive, ultimately leading to a loss in sales and jobs. Currently, trade supports 772,800 jobs in Arizona, which would be in jeopardy if these tariffs come into play.

The effects of the escalating trade war are beginning to ripple throughout the American economy, something Murphy says we simply can’t let happen.

“Trade works,â€� Murphy said. “More than 40 million American jobs depend on international trade. We should be on the offensive trying to open up foreign markets for American exports. These tariffs and the resulting trade war are closing markets, and threaten the American economy.”

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Governor Doug Ducey on Wednesday visited Milestone Technologies’ new Arizona office, and announced at least 100 new jobs that the company will provide in the next nine months.

Milestone Technologies is a California-based tech IT services company that specializes in streamlining IT infrastructure through a combination of expert professionals and innovative automation technologies. The company merges advanced artificial intelligence with human skill to keep costs low for clients and keep jobs from moving offshore. Milestone services demanding, fast-growing clients, many of which operate out of Silicon Valley.

Milestone arrived in Phoenix ready to get to work and excited to grow. With its newly outfitted office in the Sky Harbor area, the company is ready to service its existing clients and is prepared to accommodate the new ones it intends to attract. The Phoenix office is equipped to house help desks, data center services, network operations and call centers.

“This is our first venture outside of Silicon Valley, and so we’re happy that expansion is here. We think the talent pool is here, we think the skills are available here,� said Nelson Eng, president and CEO of Milestone.

Gov. Ducey welcomed Milestone to the Valley, emphasizing the growing private sector throughout the state. He noted that since 2015, Arizona has added 160,000 new private sector jobs, and at least 300 companies have relocated or expanded into the state.

“That’s a real testament to Arizona’s economic attractiveness, our embrace of innovation, our low tax environment, our commonsense approach to regulation and our talented workforce,� Ducey said.

Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, also joined in welcoming Milestone, reassuring the company that Arizona is invested in its success as a company and looks forward to helping them thrive.

“Milestone’s growth and plans to create an artificial intelligence center of excellence also speaks volumes to our thriving innovation sector,� Watson said. “When companies like this choose Arizona, it sends a signal that Arizona is the best place indeed to test new ideas, new business models and scale great companies.�

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Last week, Arizona Correctional Industries, ARIZONA@WORK, the Arizona Department of Corrections, the Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Commerce Authority collaboratively hosted the first Employer Reentry Forum. The forum brought correctional programs, employers and former inmates together to expose more of the state’s job creators to what they deem “Arizona’s largest untapped workforce solution.�

According to Charles Ryan, director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Arizona’s recidivism rate of around 40 percent is well below the national average of around 60 percent, but there is clearly work to be done.

The event put on display various programs that employ, educate and empower incarcerated individuals to get a job upon release, which drastically reduces the likelihood that they will end up back in the prison system. Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and Public Safety Advisor to the governor Tim Roemer detailed how important it is that the business community participate in its capacity to help reduce recidivism.

“Employers can provide a real second chance to those who’ve paid their debt to society,� said Romer. “It makes our communities safer, it’s a better deal for our taxpayers and it is the right thing to do.�

Across the state, prisons and jails are implementing programs in attempts to ensure that inmates are employable after release. These tactics include staffing more substance abuse counselors, reentry centers, second chance centers, the post-release fire crew and more. Additionally, an executive order issued by Governor Ducey, known as the “Second Chance Box,� expands job opportunities for individuals who served time by moving questions related to an applicant’s criminal record until after initial interviews. This practice has now been adopted by all state agencies as well as Maricopa County agencies, offering fair consideration to those individuals.

The event highlighted programs like Arizona Correctional Industries (ACI), which employs 2,000 inmates daily, utilizing them for call center teams, construction, printing, wild horse training, carpentry and more.

“ACI provides labor for the private sector and also presents an opportunity to gain employees after the participants are released,� said Brian Radecki, general manager and CEO of ACI.

After participating in an ACI program, individuals are 31 percent less likely to return to prison, which amounted to a $5.5 million savings in 2017 alone.

The forum also included a panel of employers, representing Televerde, Trapp Technology, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona and Hickmans Family Farms, who utilize innovative workforce solutions to provide current and former inmates with employment and meet their labor demands. In addition, the forum was joined by a panel of former inmates who benefitted from such an opportunity or program.

Justin Benjamin, a former inmate who now works as a project support specialist for the Arizona Department of Corrections, described the opportunity that employers have to change individual lives and positively impact the state.

“When you give a person who’s been incarcerated a job, you’re part of that gateway that sets them free,� said Benjamin. “As the employer, you are the change that we all want to see. And you’re backing the investment that we make as a state and as corrections institutions…we’re all investing in these individuals’ lives.�

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In the most recent , Mesa ranked 18th out of the 64 cities studied in terms of financial stability and wealth. The scorecard looks at cities with populations more than 300,000, and analyzes them based on local outcomes to determine their ranking on the prosperity index. The study analyzes income and wealth, business ownership and employment, housing, access to health insurance and educational attainment to determine a prosperity ranking. Mesa ranked highest out of all qualified Arizona cities.

“Ranking on the Prosperity Now Scorecard means that Mesa is heading in the right direction and our efforts are increasing the prosperity of our residents. That is our goal as a community. We want our residents to be able to find meaningful careers that pay well so they can support their families,� said Mayor of Mesa John Giles. “Being prosperous is a sign of a healthy community and we will continue to strive to diversify our workforce and attract businesses that will build the future economy.�

The summary of findings of the scorecard notes that smaller, non-coastal cities that ranked relatively high on the prosperity index likely achieved their ranking due to high levels of homeownership, which is not a surprise considering Mesa’s large selection of housing.

In addition to providing residents with homeownership opportunities, Mesa has directed its focus to education, understanding that it plays a paramount role in ensuring long-term prosperity.

“Since 2012, Mesa has focused on increasing the opportunities for residents to both attend and graduate from college. We established Mesa Counts on College, a program that helps students find the right college and apply for grants, scholarships and financial aid; built the Mesa Center for Higher Education, where small colleges have space for classes, labs and administration; and attracted Benedictine University to open a campus in downtown,� Mayor Giles said.

Mayor Giles also pointed to recent developments and innovations that will continue to make Mesa a better place to live, namely the development of Arizona State University at Mesa City Center. The cutting edge programs slated for ASU at Mesa City Center will provide impactful technologies for the medical, aerospace, manufacturing and entertainment industries. Other elements of the Mesa City Center revitalization will include The Plaza, a public gathering space and The Studios, a reuse of Mesa’s first library as a collaborative space for industry leaders, entrepreneurs, students and the public. Ìý

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Earlier this month, the FIFA Congress selected the United States, Canada, and Mexico to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is the first time that a three country bid was selected to host the world’s most watched sporting event. Of the three countries, the United States hosted the tournament most recently in 1994. Mexico hosted in 1970 and 1986, and Canada has never hosted.

Of the 80 games, 60 will be played in the United States, including the highest revenue generating games – the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. Canada and Mexico will split the remaining 20 games, each hosting ten a piece. Most of the games will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets. Seventeen other U.S. cities were under consideration to host games, including Los Angeles and Denver.

The last round of voting came down to Morocco and the joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ultimately, the joint bid won by a margin of 134 votes to Morocco’s 65, even receiving a vote from Russia. North America promised a record breaking $11 billion in profits, nearly double the $6 billion profit that FIFA made from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Morocco promised less than half of the $11 billion and required renovations to all of its 14 potential venues, whereas North America will use 16 different venues which require no additional construction or renovations.

FIFA plans to distribute $11 billion among its 211 member associations in an effort to grow the game around the world. Ultimately, the FIFA World Cup is projected to produce $14 billion in revenue to the three countries, not including the economic boost to the host cities.

This year, neither the United States nor Canada are among the top 32 teams competing for the cup in Russia. Historically, the host country receives an automatic bid in the tournament, but the FIFA Congress is yet to decide if this will be the case in 2026.

Nevertheless, U.S. Soccer Federation President Carlos Cordeiro recognizes the intrinsic value of unity between the United States, Canada, and Mexico beyond the FIFA World Cup. “The unity of the three nations coming together was a very powerful message and that was something we repeated over and over again.�

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Express Scripts and MedAvail are piloting a collaborative program in Phoenix and Tucson that aims to increase access to critical and daily medications. Particularly geared toward uninsured and underinsured populations, the program will expand the presence of MedAvail’s automated pharmacy system in the two cities.

MedAvail is a leading pharmacy-technology company. Its mobile-enabled self-service pharmacy kiosk, MedCenterä, allows patients to fill prescriptions at their own convenience, under the supervision of a professional pharmacist. Ultimately, the automated prescription centers aim to drive down the cost of filling a prescription and increase accessibility and ease. MedCenter is equipped to safely and accurately dispense chronic, acute and over-the-counter medicines. This technology provides 24/7 access to broad pharmaceutical consultation via video communication built into the kiosk, as well as through its associated mobile app.

Express Scripts’ strategic investment in MedAvail advances its mission of streamlining healthcare delivery processes and positively innovating the healthcare system.

“Technology — and a culture shift — allow us the opportunity to evolve and simplify healthcare services to better accommodate our busy schedules, which in turn can lead to better adherence and outcomes,â€� said Glen Stettin, M.D., Chief Innovation Officer at Express Scripts. “Through our work with MedAvail’s prescription dispensing technology, we are examining how MedCenter, MedAvail’s self-service, pharmacist-supported, kiosk pharmacies can provide patients with safe and cost-effective pharmacy care close to where they live, work or get their medical care.â€�

There are already six MedCenters operating in grocery stores, pharmacies and medical clinics in Phoenix and Tucson, with 15 total to be deployed before the end of the year. Express Scripts members and customers of Inside Rx, a program that discounts the cost of medications to people who are uninsured or underinsured, can choose to fill their prescriptions at any MedCenter.

“There is a tremendous demand for this type of technological solution to enhance the pharmacy experience, and Express Scripts’ forward-thinking approach makes it an excellent partner in bringing anywhere, anytime pharmacy to millions of Americans,� said Ed Kilroy, CEO of MedAvail Technologies.

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