With four electric vehicles registered in the state for every 1,000 Arizona residents, Arizona ranks nationally for having the most registered electric vehicles.

The state is also becoming an EV sales and manufacturing hub. Lucid, Polestar, Rivian, Tesla, and Atlis Motor Vehicles have all set up operations in the state.

On September 28, 2021, Lucid motors rolled out an , all-electric vehicle. The Lucid Air Dream Edition has about 1,111 horsepower and has a performance model offering about 470 miles in range.

Atlis Motor Vehicles

Atlis Motor Vehicles, a startup based in Mesa, is producing electric work trucks. These trucks are expected to sell for about $45,000 with a range of about 300 miles with the capability to tow up to 35,000 pounds. Atlis is also preparing to have additional enhancements that could sell for up to $75,000.

Atlis Motor Vehicles recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise capital and expand their operations. 

鈥�2021 was an incredible year for us and I truly believe we鈥檝e just embarked on an even more exciting one,鈥� Atlis Motors CEO Mark Hantchett wrote in a . 

鈥淲e have made leaps and bounds in the energy technology space with so little compared to larger companies around us. We have secured $300+ million in future revenue from battery technology alone and over 24,000 contractual orders for trucks around the world. Now, 2022 is all about growth. This year we become a revenue-generating company 鈥� an unheard of scenario for a startup in our position.鈥�

This is not the first time Atlis has crowdfunded to raise capital. Previously they raised about $22 million from . As of February 17, 2022, the company has a little more than $2.8 million from 1,855 investors. Atlis opened its capital-raising effort to the public. Investors must purchase at least 16 shares at $15.88 for a minimum investment of $254.08.
Atlis plans to use the capital to help further to create a new truck called the XT that targets customers in the agriculture, construction, and utility industries. They plan to hire more engineers, buy more battery testing equipment, expand sales programs and finalize the production-level design for the XT.

Statewide benefits 

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) conducted to illustrate the air quality and economic benefits of electric vehicles in Arizona. They found that EVs provide air quality and economic benefits to Maricopa County and the state, concluding that the state should consider policies that promote the manufacture and sale of more electric vehicles.

鈥淲e get clear skies. No oil changes, no muffler work, no transmission, faster acceleration. No smog or smog tests,鈥� Jim Stack, president of the Phoenix Electric Auto Association 鈥淚t鈥檚 priceless.鈥�

If more Arizonans make the choice to transition over to electric vehicles there could also  be a large . Depending on the rate and price of gasoline, SWEEP found in its study the total economic benefit to Arizona in reduced fuel costs could be between $75 million and $489 million per year by 2030. 

Arizona laws and incentives

Arizona offers to electric vehicle buyers. These laws and incentives are for specific alternative fuel vehicles (AFV). A vehicle qualifies as AFV if it uses propane, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and a blend of hydrogen with propane or natural gas.

Another for electric vehicle owners is the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Exemption. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) allows individuals who have an AFV with an AFV license plate to use HOV lanes, regardless of the number of occupants. Individuals may also park without penalty in parking areas that are designated for carpool operators.

APS offers vehicle supply equipment, installation, maintenance, and educational service. They do this through its workplace, fleet, and multi-unit dwelling customers through the Take Charge AZ pilot program. 

SRP offers residential customers who purchased or leased a plug-in electric vehicle a $1,000 rebate.

Arizona, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Idaho signed the (REV) West Plan. By signing this plan Arizona committed to the following:

• educating consumers and fleet owners to raise EV awareness
• reduce range anxiety
• increase EV adoption
• coordinate on EV charging station locations to achieve a consistent user experience, use and promote the REV
• Identify and develop opportunities to incorporate EV charging stations into planning and development processes such as building codes, metering policies, and renewable energy generation projects
• Encourage EV manufacturers to stock and market a wide variety of EVs
• Identify, respond to, and collaborate on funding opportunities to support the development of the plan
• support the build-out of direct current (DC) fast-charging stations along EV corridors through investments, partnerships, and other mechanisms.

More about 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 EV laws and incentives can be found

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Arizona last fall announced the launch of a 鈥淐yber Command Center鈥�, which will serve as the state鈥檚 headquarters for organizing operations. The center will provide a central location for facilitating information sharing and cooperation between cyber experts, government agencies, and private-public partnerships.

At a ceremony hosted at the Department of Public Safety鈥檚 Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), Gov. Doug Ducey was joined by leading state officials to celebrate the launch. 

鈥淐ybersecurity is homeland security. Our society is becoming increasingly interconnected through technology, and cybersecurity has become one of the most important issues facing Arizona,鈥� Ducey . 鈥淭his new command center will be critical in protecting Arizonans and ensuring our cyber infrastructure remains safe and secure.鈥�

Others in attendance included Tim Roemer, the director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and the chief information security officer. Roemer, who earlier in his career served in the CIA, led the initiative to launch the center and integrate its mission into homeland security. 

The creation of the center highlights the growing need to protect Arizonans against cyber attacks. 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Department of Homeland Security that, in September alone, they detected 68 million cyber threats and protected Arizona websites from more than 800,000 attacks.

Researchers that data breaches from 2005 to 2020 cost Arizona more than $1.6 billion. Arizona is only one of two states, including New Jersey, that group cybersecurity with homeland security.

Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce talks business with Tim Roemer 

The Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce & Industry last month hosted a panel with cyber security experts in Arizona. Roemer led the panel and discussed the importance of the new cyber command center, public and private sector partnerships in cyber security, threat information sharing, and investment in cyber threat prevention systems. 

Reflecting on the new Cyber Command Center and Gov. Ducey鈥檚 remarks about some of the center’s primary functions, Roemer explained the importance of public and private sector partnerships. 

鈥淲e can throw tens of millions and even hundreds of millions of dollars at advanced cyber protection technology and it won鈥檛 make a difference without coalition and partnership between business leaders in the private sector and the state government,鈥� Roemer said.

Roemer was asked what businesses should be focussing on to protect against the growing threat of cyber attacks that include email phishing, ransomware, zero-day exploitation, and even password attacks. He said companies should, 鈥淧rotect their human firewall, invest in their employees, and create a culture of cybersecurity awareness.鈥� 

Roemer stressed the importance of annual cyber security training, examples of which include internal simulated phishing attempts and various kinds of penetration testing that can determine weak points in a company鈥檚 digital security perimeter. 

The panel also included David Riza, the security delivery senior manager at Accenture, a company that specializes in business strategy, technology strategy, and operations strategy services. 

Riza was asked about security strategies for different kinds of businesses and corporations and whether some business models are especially vulnerable to cyber threats. 

鈥淪ome businesses are bigger targets,鈥� he said. 鈥淕overnment, energy, architecture are a few industries that cyber hackers want to attack. Access to these industries allows hackers to cause real-world physical consequences.鈥�

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Chandler鈥檚 expanding tech sector is shrinking the gender pay gap and beating out many of the top markets when it comes to salaries for women in the field, according to a new report from the popular financial services website, SmartAsset. 

Chandler ranked the 14th best city for women employed in technology careers, according to the report, the annual . 

To determine the rankings, SmartAsset compared U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics of 63 cities in four areas: gender pay gap, income after housing costs, females as a percentage of workers, and three-year growth in employment.

Chandler beat out top markets like Atlanta, Chicago 

Chandler ranked higher than most cities in all categories. For example, Chandler fared better than top markets like Atlanta, Chicago and Fort Worth for the number of women in the tech workforce.  

The findings for Chandler show that: 

• After housing costs, the city ranks fifth highest in the nation for salaries with the average annual pay of $60,269
• From 2016 to 2019, Chandler saw a 23 percent increase in women in the tech workforce, tying for eighth fastest growing market for women alongside Washington, D.C.; Chesapeake, Va.; and Philadelphia
• Women constitute 28.1 percent of the city鈥檚 tech workforce
• For every dollar that men make, women in tech here earn 85 cents, above the national average

Some cities virtually eliminated pay gap 

Overall, men still outrank women in pay and rank across the U.S. But many cities have almost erased inequities in the tech industry. 

Long Beach and Baltimore, Md., now can claim that women are paid virtually the same as men in the field, earning 101 cents and 99 cents respectively for every dollar men earn, the report shows. 

Washington, D.C., saw the most equity in hiring. It has the highest percentage of women in the tech workforce at 38.9 percent.  

Chandler鈥檚 tech scene 

Chandler鈥檚 lure for tech workers comes down to many factors. A Southwest lifestyle, moderate housing prices and quality schools are often cited for reasons people move here, city officials said.  

High-tech jobs are another. As 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 fourth largest, Chandler is becoming known as an important in the Southwest for high-tech manufacturing and development. Over the past decade, it has attracted data centers, network solutions, software engineering, payment processing and other mission critical operations. 

Among those who call the city home are: Intel, NXP Semiconductors, Microchip Technology, Northrop Grumman, Avnet, Rogers Corporation, Isola and Everspin Technologies.

Chandler also is home to multiple resources for entrepreneurs and tech startups including a city-funded business incubator, , which offers incubation programming and services delivered by . Other resources are , the community-based workshop and prototyping studio and technology-based education at the .

Thousands of new jobs coming

Chandler鈥檚 tech sector is in a growth phase with thousands of jobs coming on line with several new announcements from existing and new industries locating here. 

Among the most recent announcements are:

Intel to build two new fabrication facilities 

is investing $20 billion to expand its semiconductor manufacturing operations with at its Ocotillo Campus in Chandler.

This is the largest private investment of any kind in Arizona history, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said when the news broke. 

鈥淚ntel鈥檚 continued expansion of its largest, most advanced manufacturing site in the world exemplifies the presence of innovation in Chandler,鈥� Mayor Hartke said. 鈥淎 talented workforce, excellent quality of life, proactive planning and decades of infrastructure investments enable global innovators like Intel to excel in our community.鈥� 

Intel鈥檚 expansion is projected to add more than 3,000 high-tech, high-wage jobs and support an additional 15,000 jobs indirectly. Another 3,000 construction jobs will be employed while the fabrication facilities are being built. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

Northrop Grumman selected for next generation fighter aircraft

, which has a corporate campus in Chandler, was awarded a contract by the Missile Defense Agency for the . The contract is for the 鈥渞apid鈥� development and flight test of an interceptor designed to defend the nation against the most complex long-ranged threats. Northrop Grumman is teamed with Raytheon Missiles & Defense to deliver the aircraft.

Viavi headquarters and manufacturing plant

San Jose based , a manufacturer of testing and monitoring equipment for networks, announced for its Optical Security and Performance Products segment to establish a new manufacturing facility in Chandler. Viavi also is transitioning its headquarters to the new facility, which is anticipated to house at least 100 employees by 2022.

To see a list of other key industries in Chandler, visit: To read SmartAssets report on women in tech, visit: .

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Technology salaries and tech job growth in Arizona are outpacing much of the nation, according to two new reports. 

Metropolitan Phoenix is experiencing some of the fastest growth in the nation in tech wages, according to a new report, In 2020, salaries increased 7.6 percent to an average $95,514, the data shows. 

That鈥檚 more than double the national average of 3.6 percent growth. It鈥檚 also not far behind the national average salary of $97,859. 

As Phoenix jumped to seventh on the list of major cities with the fastest-growing tech salaries in 2020, the state also saw a 6.2 percent increase in tech industry employment, according to a report by the .

Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the council, attributes much of the growth to the pandemic. 

鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for technology,鈥� Zlystra said. 鈥淔rom digital tools and services designed to keep a remote workforce secure and connected, to medical devices critical to fighting the virus, the entire world has relied on technology to keep citizens safe and economies running over the past year.鈥�

As a result, the industry is thriving globally, including in Arizona, he said. 

鈥淎s our technology ecosystem continues to grow, there鈥檚 a greater demand for talent which drives salaries up,鈥� Zylstra said. 

Software leads the pack in contributing to higher pay 

础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 has been a key driver of the economy over the last few years, Zylstra said. 

According to the most recent , a comprehensive list of software companies in major U.S. cities, Phoenix is now host to 698 software companies. That鈥檚 up 141 companies in less than a year.

Arizona has also succeeded in attracting a diverse array of industry leaders statewide including the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Nikola, Lucid Motors and Benchmark, Zylstra said.  

Other tech industries fueling salary hikes in Arizona include:

– Advanced manufacturing

-Electric vehicles

-Aerospace and defense

-Health and bioscience 

-Semiconductor 

More jobs in manufacturing than in construction

As the tech industry has grown, there are now more jobs in manufacturing than in construction, according to the

Last year, the state鈥檚 tech industry surpassed 2019 in a number of key growth metrics, according to the Arizona Technology Council鈥檚 recent fourth quarter.

Highlights from the report show:

-A 29 percent increase in STEM job postings 

-A 6.2 percent increase in employment growth in technology

-A 4.3 percent rise year-over-year in the number of tech firms

Jobs, jobs and more jobs 

The impact report shows that the percentage increases in Arizona pushed the number of tech companies here up to 10,093 and tech jobs up to 201,740. In comparison, tech jobs in California only rose 2.1 percent in 2020. 

For every 100 technology jobs created, 357 new jobs were created in other industries, Zylstra said. 

鈥淪ignificant headwinds associated with COVID-19 will continue to persist, but I am hopeful as I was last quarter the strength of 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 tech industry will continue to grow,鈥� Zylstra said. 鈥淭hat growth benefits employees, employers, and consumers in every industry in the state.鈥� 

What鈥檚 happening elsewhere 

The nation’s technologists in established and emerging tech hubs saw their salaries increase significantly during 2020, although the nation’s most prominent tech hubs are still the destination for workers seeking the highest salaries, according to the Dice report. 

In New York City, the average technologist salary rose 11.6 percent between 2019 and 2020, hitting $114,274. Boston salaries have reached $111,069, while Silicon Valley’s average pay stands at $126,801, making it the highest-paying tech hub in the U.S. 

Boston and Silicon Valley both achieved salary growth of 2.4 percent. In Austin, salaries rose 9.7 percent to $104,344 during the same period.

Emerging tech hubs also saw some of the highest growth during the year, including Charlotte with a 13.8 percent increase to $99,691, Orlando with a 13.4 percent increase to $88,598 and Detroit with a 7.7 percent increase to $90,110. 

To view the Dice report on salaries nationwide, go to:  

To read more about the state of the technology industry in Arizona, visit:

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This time last year, most of us had heard rumblings about COVID-19 鈥� but at the time, it seemed so far away. Little did we know it would become a global pandemic that would bring about broad-sweeping change in so many facets of life 鈥� technology included.

The pandemic has been a technology accelerator for businesses, municipalities, schools, healthcare and homes. As such, those of us at Cox Communications, who provide internet, telephone, security and video services to thousands of Arizona small and regional businesses and more than three million connectivity products within homes across the state, have seen a few interesting technology trends that we believe will continue throughout 2021.

Provider adoption and investment in telehealth grows

Finding ways to connect virtually with your doctor is getting easier, too. According to a, only 28% of respondents said that their healthcare service provider offered telehealth before COVID-19.  , too, gave telehealth a thumbs up, with 57% viewing it more favorably than before the pandemic and 64% feeling more comfortable using the technology.

Further, the same report shows up to $250 billion of current U.S. healthcare spend could go virtual 鈥� up from $3 billion pre-COVID-19.

Smart communities keep getting smarter

From waste management and water meters to street lighting, parking and public safety, communities are getting smarter by the day.

In Arizona, the at ASU serves as an incubation center that is engaging ASU students and faculty to design the next wave of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that will focus on projects pertaining to smart and connected products that will empower citizens, students and local government teams to live and work more efficiently and enhance the quality of life.  The ASU team is looking at urban redesign, augmented reality and the workforce of the future as well as fleet management, health and wellness and public safety.  

Smart communities are increasingly becoming a priority nationwide 鈥� and worldwide. The pandemic has, and citizens are more open to smart community tech than ever 鈥� which is unlocking doors to rapid growth that will continue. Going smart enables municipalities to make more effective data-driven decisions, decreases inefficiencies and streamlines and automates processes. It also enhances citizen and government engagement, improves infrastructure and provides new economic development opportunities.

And the trend toward just-about-everything-smart is taking place inside the home as well. According to, North America in 2023 is expected to have 40% of the worldwide market of consumer spending on smart home systems like smart assistants, smart speakers and smart door locks and light switches. 

School and work will continue to stay home鈥omewhat

Remote work and school are not going away anytime soon, making broadband connectivity essential. Many employees who were forced to work from home this past year may continue to do so permanently. According to, the percentage of workers permanently working from home is expected to double this year and Big Tech is leading the way with companies like Twitter and Facebook having recognized the benefits of employees working from home indefinitely, even as offices reopen. 

Although working from home might have had a rocky start, employees have mastered using real-time chat and video conferencing to stay connected. According to, 94% of 800 employers surveyed by Mercer, an HR and workplace benefits firm, said that productivity was the same or higher than it was before the pandemic. Our own workforce at Cox will likely see a work/work-from-home hybrid model in the future.   Interactive video conferencing and chat have enabled teams to maintain cohesion and stay connected while working out of the office. In fact, Cox Business has produced a Work-at-Home solution for Arizona enterprises. This solution provides remote staff with enterprise-grade, separate internet connections from the office directly to their homes including Wi-Fi, endpoint security and a malicious domain blocker to help ensure staff members have the same highly reliable, quick connectivity they would have when working in the office.

On the education front, researchers found approximately 20% of public school district superintendents and charter school leaders said they plan to continue online schooling as an option once the pandemic subsides 鈥� or are considering the online option for families and students who want the choice.

Whether teaching or learning from home or in the classroom, data-driven insights improve the classroom experience. Apps empower teachers to digitally administer homework, quizzes, tests and have one-on-one face time with students and parents.

And through artificial intelligence and machine learning, automated technology allows teachers to monitor and evaluate the progress students are making and better understand their strengths and weaknesses. For students, apps enable learning through gamification, which creates a fun and positive learning environment and can make the most reticent student excited about his or her studies. 

More content means more bandwidth and navigation help

Due to stay-in-place restrictions, the entire world has been. Internet service providers, such as Cox, have experienced the equivalent of two years of traffic growth in the first few months of the pandemic and it has remained constant at those new levels.

And high-intensity applications aka 鈥渂andwidth hogs鈥� like video streaming platforms that make online work and school possible are essential yet difficult to attain without the appropriate bandwidth. Therefore, ISPs have answered this increasingly streaming boom by offering affordable internet packages that take care of all streaming needs 鈥� voice, video or otherwise.

Speaking of voice, whether folks are binge-watching Jeopardy! on Netflix or jamming to music from Spotify using their Alexa, the use of streaming services and voice assistants. With so many great TV shows to watch, it鈥檚 challenging to remember what鈥檚 on Peacock, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon and so on. But allow users to pull up a series, app or movie with just a few words, such as 鈥淔ind the Discovery channel鈥� or 鈥淲hat should I watch?鈥�

There鈥檚 no doubt that the pandemic will subside at some point, but the technology trends that have come to the forefront will continue in 2021 鈥� and long after as well.  Because Cox is committed to making digital life easier, we鈥檒l continue investing in ways to better connect people and bring these critical technologies to life.

Susan Anable is Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Cox. She oversees media, community relations, government affairs and internal communications in Arizona and Nevada.  She is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Arizona 小红帽直播app of Commerce and Industry Board.

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A first-of-its-kind proposal to allow private industry to synchronize electric customers’ smart devices and receive compensation for helping utilities operate the electric grid more efficiently was unanimously approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC).

If successful, Arizona would be the first state to permit third-party providers to aggregate and control a portfolio of potentially millions of smart devices that large utilities could use to more efficiently allocate and store energy for the grid. 

That could result in lower electric bills for homes and businesses and generate new smart technologies and industries here in Arizona, said Lea M谩rquez Peterson, the new chair of the utility regulating commission who  introduced the proposal. 

M谩rquez Peterson and her fellow commissioners voted to give the state鈥檚  largest electric utility, Arizona Public Service (APS), the go ahead to develop a 鈥渢ariff鈥� for the project — a plan that lays out the structure, fees and other parameters of the program — and move it forward after board review and approval. 

鈥淭he proposal allows aggregators of all kinds and technologies to participate in APS鈥� tariff, opening the door to potentially untapped market opportunities and economic development,鈥� M谩rquez Peterson said. 鈥淧reviously, rooftop solar was the only tool in the distributed energy toolbox. 

鈥淏ut now, we have so much more. Air conditioners, appliances, devices, and batteries, even entire homes, as long as they are connected to the internet, can now be called upon to shift and respond to the grid. That鈥檚 extremely valuable.鈥�

Tapping into millions of smart devices to benefit grid

These electric grid resources could include an array of smart devices and energy efficiency improvements, such as internet connected 鈥榮mart鈥� thermostats and ENERGYSTAR appliances, as well as at-home batteries. 

Through aggregation, they can help to reduce the total cost to the grid by reducing or shifting the time of energy used, reducing the amount of power needed during the most expensive times of day, utilizing or storing more power during the most affordable times of day, or otherwise improving the operating efficiency of the grid.

Companies, customers benefit based on value they provide

The third party companies providing the service for APS, potentially other utilities in the future, would be compensated for the value each provides to the grid. This would include compensation for the value of energy, capacity, demand reduction, load shifting, voltage support, and other ancillary services, to name a few, the chairwoman said. 

Consumers participating in the program also would be compensated based on the value they provide. 

鈥淥ur smart infrastructure, combined with 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 digital connectivity and demand curve, which is unique to the Western United States, makes the Desert Southwest, and Arizona specifically, the perfect place to study demand-side optimization and lead on cutting-edge energy innovations and regulatory policies,鈥� she said. 

New chair brings business approach to regulatory body

M谩rquez Peterson, who is the only commissioner based outside of Maricopa County, brings a strong business background and education with her to the utility-regulatory commission. 

Before being appointed to the commission in 2019 and her recent election in November, she served as the president and CEO of the and executive director for .

She was the owner and operator of a business brokerage firm and a chain of six gasoline station-convenience stores in the Tucson region. She earned her undergraduate degrees in Tucson in marketing and entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona, and her master鈥檚 degree in business administration from Pepperdine University in California.

Among the many boards she serves on are the Pima County Workforce Investment Board, University of Arizona Foundation, president of the National Association of Women Business Owners in Tucson, and a member of the national U.S. Small Business Association鈥檚 Small Business Development Council advisory board. 

Calling on stakeholders to participate in proposal

Stakeholders such as technology companies, consumer product manufacturers, and third-party aggregators that are involved in providing energy services or devices for the grid such as battery storage, energy efficiency, smart devices, smart appliances, internet of things, home energy monitoring devices, and ancillary services interested in getting involved in the development of the project, go to: . 

A copy of the proposal can be viewed .

About the Arizona Corporation Commission

The ACC was established by the state constitution to regulate public utilities and business incorporation. The commission is Arizona’s co-equal, fourth branch of government. The five Commissioners elected to the Corporation Commission oversee executive, legislative, and judicial proceedings on behalf of Arizonans when it comes to their water, electricity, telephone, and natural gas resources as well as the regulation of securities, pipeline, and railroad safety. To learn more about the commission and its commissioners, visit: .

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础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 business-friendly policies have transformed the state into a hub for high tech.  Phoenix metro鈥檚 software and IT sectors are now among the largest in the nation. Tucson and Flagstaff are rapidly emerging as tech hubs for mining, health and aerospace. 

It鈥檚 a phenomenon that has occurred over the last decade, in large part because of state lawmakers advancing legislation to attract tech companies and their high-paying jobs.

To recognize their important contributions, the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority announced 12 winners of this year鈥檚 pro-tech legislator awards. The recipients will officially be honored for their support of technology and STEM education at the virtual on November 4.

鈥淭he rapid growth of 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 technology industry over the last 10 years can be attributed to our future-focused, technology-conscious legislators,鈥� said Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, the voice for the science and technology industry. 鈥淲ithout the support of these champions in our state鈥檚 government, none of what we do would be possible.鈥�

Here are this year鈥檚 award winners:

Outstanding Technology Senator of the Year: David Gowan, District 14

Sen. David Gowan was largely responsible for shepherding legislation passed this year to extend the research and development tax credit at current levels for another 10 years, as well as extending other key economic development programs essential to growing the technology industry. 

As chair of Appropriations, Gowan has been an advocate for a balanced budget that includes incentives to attract and retain both businesses and workers.

Outstanding Technology Representative of the Year: Michelle Udall, District 25听

Rep. Michelle Udall sponsored the council鈥檚 priority STEM legislation this year that would have created a STEM ecosystem, giving more access to STEM education statewide. 

As chair of the Education Committee, she has championed bills to close achievement gaps so students from all walks of life gain access to quality education and are job-ready. Udall also has supported economic development bills to help the tech industry thrive.

Top-10 tech legislators:

Senators:

Sen. Karen Fann, District 1

Senate President Karen Fann once again was a champion of the technology industry in the 2020 legislative session, continuing a trait she has demonstrated during her entire tenure. She advocated for extension of the Small Business Capital Investment Incentive, also known as the Angel Investment Tax Credit, to attract new industry. She has pushed to get the program recapitalized year after year.听

Sen. Sine Kerr, District 13

Sen. Sine Kerr helped champion the extension of important economic development programs including sponsoring the strike-everything amendment for the research and development (R&D) tax credit extension this year. 

As a family business owner, Kerr understands the need for and supports policies to eliminate government roadblocks and overregulation of industry. 

Sen. Heather Carter, District 15 

Sen. Heather Carter has been honored almost every year by the council at the Governor鈥檚 Celebration of Innovation for her tireless advocacy on issues important to the technology and business community. She continued her advocacy for education and workforce development options this year, including STEM internship opportunities. 

Sen. Sean Bowie, District 18

Sen. Sean Bowie has helped advance many bipartisan bills and economic development initiatives that helped transform Arizona into a technology hub such as advocating for community college funding and sponsoring bills for community college grants for Career and Technical Education district students. 

Sen. Lupe Contreras, District 19

Sen. Lupe Contreras has proven to be a strong leader in the Legislature who has worked to gain bipartisan consensus on bills that promote education, workforce development and economic development to create employment opportunities, especially technical jobs in his district and around the state.

Representatives:

Rep. Daniel Hernandez, District 2

Rep. Daniel Hernandez has been a leader in the fight for non-discrimination and equality and sponsored legislation to ensure those protections. 

He is a pro-business leader who has worked across the aisle to advance legislation that supported the technology industry, 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 taxpayers and the economy as a whole.

Rep. Regina Cobb, District 5

Rep. Regina Cobb supported and helped save the extension of the Angel Investment Tax Credit program this year that helps 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 startups access financing. She supported economic development programs like the extension of R&D and Qualified Facilities tax credits to attract and expand manufacturing headquarters and facilities, including manufacturing-related R&D facilities.

Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, District 17

Rep. Jennifer Pawlik sponsored legislation to ensure high school freshmen have access to CTED programs that help address 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 workforce needs. She also authored an amendment that extended the Qualified Facilities and the current levels of R&D programs while also reducing the carryforward for future R&D credits. 

Rep. Jeff Weninger, District 17

Rep. Jeff Weninger has been a champion for the technology industry during his five years at the Legislature. This year, he sponsored bills dealing with blockchain, cryptocurrency and unmanned aircrafts. 

As a , Weninger has the insight needed to help develop a business-friendly environment that attracts industry and development. 

Rep. Ben Toma, District 22

Rep. Ben Toma helped pass bills that extended economic development programs like Qualified Facilities and R&D tax credit. During his tenure, Toma has been a leader in tax policy, helping lead the charge on tax conformity and updating 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 statutes to create a fair tax environment for companies in the digital marketplace.

Rep. Toma last week was as the Arizona Manufacturers Council鈥檚 Legislator of the Year.For more information or to purchase tickets for the award ceremony, visit: Governor鈥檚 Celebration of Innovation Awards and Tech Showcase.

About the Arizona Technology Council

The council is the state鈥檚 trade association for science and technology companies. Council members work to further advance technology through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The council offers events, educational forums and business conferences to bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry. To become a member or learn more about the organization, go to: .

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority is the state鈥檚 leading economic development organization. The ACA uses a three-prong approach to advance the听 economy: attract out-of-state companies to Arizona, work with existing companies to expand their businesses; and help entrepreneurs create new businesses in targeted industries. For more information, visit: .

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There is no question: the cyber threats targeting America鈥檚 state and local governments, schools and universities, and public healthcare institutions are more persistent and sophisticated than ever before. While COVID-19 has brought certain cybersecurity challenges to the forefront, like those associated with this year鈥檚 surge in telework, many of the threats we see today are not new, just magnified.

Last year, for example, nearly one thousand public sector organizations were hit with ransomware attacks in the United States, costing upwards of $7.5 billion, according to Emsisoft. In total, U.S. public sector organizations suffered more than 23,000 cyber incidents in 2019 according to another report from Verizon 鈥� and those are just the publicly reported numbers. 

Despite its resilient cyber posture, Arizona has not been immune to this trend. Last September, ransomware infected the Flagstaff Unified School District and, though the impact was quickly contained, the school district did have to cancel all classes for two days. Other states have not been so fortunate. A ransomware attack on the City of Baltimore last year, for example, cost an estimated $18.2 million in damages and downed critical constituent services, like real estate transactions and water billing, for months.

COVID-19 has only served to exacerbate this already complex cyber landscape, prompting a surge in the quantity and sophistication of phishing attempts and other attack vectors, both nationally and across Arizona. Unfortunately, some states have been targeted successfully, with cities in California and North Carolina both suffering ransomware attacks this March.

In large part, cybercriminals鈥� efforts have focused on employees navigating the new realities of remote work, including learning how to protect their work devices and data while far from the office. Internet technology teams, in turn, have had the unenviable task of enabling safe and secure telework capabilities, like virtual private networks (VPNs), and deploying collaboration applications, like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom. 

Amid these challenges, Gov. Doug Ducey and his administration have worked closely across our state agencies and with our counties, municipalities, and school districts to ease that initial government transition to telework in March and ensure Arizona did not become just another cyber statistic or headline. A great deal of that success was a result of steps the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) took last year to shore up our state鈥檚 digital resiliency, including mandating annual cybersecurity awareness training for every single state employee. 

With such a mandate in place, ADOA has grown its cybersecurity team from 16 cyber professionals to 36,000 鈥渉uman firewalls.鈥� That all-hands-on-deck approach is critical when you consider that nearly 99% of all successful ransomware attacks rely on a victim to click a malicious link or download an infected file. Though people will likely always be the weakest link in any organization鈥檚 cyber protection posture, every effort must be made to fortify those links with the right education and resources to protect organizational devices and data from compromise. 

As we wind down National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, now is as opportune a time as ever to remember that ensuring 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 digital resilience will take constant and consistent work, not just during this pandemic but long after. Cybercriminals鈥� tactics are getting more sophisticated over time, often with the backing and funding of nation states unfriendly to America or organized crime syndicates. Countering such threats will take continued investment in cyber resources, cyber professionals, and the right cyber protection tools, so that organizations of all shapes and sizes 鈥� from the smallest K-12 school district and town to the largest statewide agency 鈥� remain #CyberFit. 

Amid a sea of pressing COVID-19-related concerns, from healthcare to the economy, 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 cyber vigilance must remain an urgent priority, whether you hail from the private or public sector. Cybercriminals have shown they will not let up, no matter the circumstances. We cannot, and will not, let up either. 

Tim Roemer has served as 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Chief Information Security Officer since his appointment by Governor Doug Ducey in July 2019.

John Zanni is the CEO of Acronis SCS, a Scottsdale-based cyber protection and edge data security company serving the US public sector.

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Whether rich, poor, cold or hot, every region鈥檚 economy will be affected by climate change, indicates research from institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research and the World Bank Group. 

In Arizona, technology, research and public-private collaborations already are helping to mitigate the impacts here. Still, the quest to protect the state鈥檚 quality of life under the scorch of record breaking heat, drought and increasing wildfires is a constant chore.  

Last week, a slate of experts in Tucson offered up recommendations on how Arizona can rise above the heat to keep the economy and the environment thriving. 

They spoke at a virtual event, Climate and 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Future: A Conversation About the Nexus Between Environment, Economy, and Innovation. The event was sponsored by the University of 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), the Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC), and Biosphere 2.

No-growth mentality not realistic 

A no-growth mentality is not the answer, the panelists said. Smart growth is. 

鈥淭he truth of the matter is that people are coming,鈥� said Ted Maxwell, president and CEO of SALC, a group of more than 140 CEOs and business and community leaders actively working to create a vibrant future for the Tucson region and the state. 

New industries and residents provide the jobs and tax revenues that make quality of life possible, said Maxwell, who added that Pima County is now home to about 1.1 million residents. 

鈥淧eople coming here are going to be driven by two things: the economy and the social and natural environment. That鈥檚 not going to go away. We just have to figure out how to preserve it.鈥� 

Sharon Megdal, director of the University of 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Water Resources Center, and Joaquin Ruiz, vice president of the university鈥檚 Global Environmental Futures and the director of听 Biosphere 2, also were featured speakers at the event.

Here are three of their key recommendations for moving forward:

1. Communicate to the world that Tucson is a hotbed of innovation 

Other cities have made a name for themselves in specific areas that attracts not only big industry but startups as well. Tucson could do the same, Ruiz said.

San Diego is known for biotechnology, Silicon Valley for digital technology and Fort Collins, Colorado for energy. All are reaping investment for their communities, he said.听

University of Arizona in Tucson already has a reputation for top rankings in environmental and sustainable research in areas like water management, controlled agriculture, and green technologies.

鈥淟ike Fort Collins is the innovation capital for energy solutions for the future because of the relationships of the university with its city, we should become the innovation capital for solutions of global climate change and semi arid environments,鈥� Ruiz said.

Dialogue is needed to create task forces and networks to attract industries and startups that are interested in global climate change technologies and solutions for semi-urban environments, he said.

2. Public-private partnerships and a stronger voice in Congress

Over the past decade or so, the business community has become much more involved in sustainability with public partners. But to make it successful, it takes investment on both parts, Maxwell said. 

鈥淧ublic-private partnerships are going to play a big factor in the future because for all this technology, for all the innovation and for all the research, it鈥檚 going to require investments,鈥� Maxwell said.

Right now, other, bigger states like California are pulling in a large share of dollars, he said.

The new U.S. Census count could help. There may be enough new residents in the new count to earn another congressional seat, he said. A larger voice in Congress would help Arizona better compete for public investment in research and development. 

3. Leave no stakeholder behind   

All stakeholders must be included in the process.

Arizona, long a leading state in water management and technology, has shown it can bring a diverse group of players together to tackle water challenges, Megdal said. 

One example is the historic agreement hammered out last year to protect 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 share of the Colorado River. The deal involved changes to a seven-state-and Mexico agreement, called the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). 

An update was needed earlier than projected because of a relentless drought shrinking the mighty Colorado. The updated DCP requires states and water suppliers to 鈥渂ank鈥� water in Lake Mead where 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 share of the river supplies are stored.

It took a buy-in from water stakeholders statewide. Tribes, cities, water companies, farmers, legislators, nonprofits and industry were all at the table to make it happen, Megdal said.

It wasn鈥檛 easy, but it worked. Last month, state water leaders reported that 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 river supplies should remain stable for the next two years and likely beyond because of the DCP.听

鈥淔undamentally, it’s going to come down to the people part; having the people work together to accept, adopt and recognize the solution set that will help us go forward,鈥� Megdal said.

To hear more of their discussion, view the entire event at:

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Arizona community colleges, businesses and government agencies have joined a national movement to help those most affected by the massive job losses during the pandemic: low wage workers, women and people of color. 

The effort, called the , is intended to not only to get people back to work but to train them for today鈥檚 modern jobs, particularly for technology positions like data and project management, cloud computing, cybersecurity, IT architecture, aviation technology, artificial intelligence and more.

“Many in our community are experiencing hardships because they’ve lost their job or a family member has lost theirs,鈥� said Steven R. Gonzales, interim chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD), the largest in the nation. 鈥淭hese families are undoubtedly uneasy about what tomorrow will bring. Our colleges understand that these concerns are very real, and are identifying every solution to ease the worry and set up our community to succeed.鈥�

All ten community college districts join to help economies recover

All 10 community college districts in Arizona have joined the national network, which is a 20-state collaboration to help Americans who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and help local economies recover to their pre-COVID levels.

Widespread business closures due to the pandemic have led to massive job losses in Arizona and across the nation, particularly for those who work in service industries like restaurants, retail and hospitality. 

Hispanic women among those hardest hit in 鈥渟hecession鈥�

Hispanic women, immigrants, young adults and those with less education were hit hardest by COVID-19 job losses, according to the nonprofit, nonpartisan Center in Washington, D.C.  

According to the National Governors Association (NGA), businesses closed by the COVID-19 pandemic led to 14 million jobs lost in the U.S. According to the Federal Reserve, almost 40 percent of households making less than $40,000 a year lost their jobs in March.

And while a record number of jobs have been added back into the economy 鈥� 4.8 million in June and 1.8 million in July 鈥� many women are still being left behind because of jobs that cannot be done through telecommuting, according to the .听听听

College leaders: Now is the time to act

College leaders said they have been putting new programs in place to reskill workers for the digital age. Now, is the time to be even more proactive. 

鈥淲e have to help people acquire new skills and get the training necessary to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of the workplace,鈥� Pima Community College Chancellor Lee D. Lambert said. 鈥淭his is also imperative to help us reach 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 Achieve60AZ goal: that 60 percent of Arizona adults have a postsecondary degree or certificate by the year 2030. We only have 10 years, and for the sake of 础谤颈锄辞苍补鈥檚 citizens and the future of our state, we need to reach that target.鈥�

Community colleges expand technology offerings

Over the past several years, colleges across the state have been beefing up their  technology offerings to meet industry demand. Here is a small sampling:

Google IT Support Professional: In June, eight colleges began offering a Google IT Support Professional Support Professional certificate program including Maricopa Community College鈥檚 Maricopa Corporate College, Pima Community College and Arizona Western College. The nationally accredited program is for beginners to introduce learners to troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration and security.听

Artificial Intelligence certificate and degree: In the first collaboration of its kind, Intel is teaming up with the MCCD to launch the nation鈥檚 first Intel-designed AI certificate and associate degree program.听

Aviation Technology Program: Pima Community College is undergoing the expansion of its nationally recognized Aviation Technology Program that teaches maintenance and repair training for large transport commercial aircraft. A modernization and expansion of the facility that is adjacent to Tucsonadjacent Tucson International Airport is expected to be completed in 2021 or early 2022.

3D Construction Program: Yavapai College announced this year it is launching what is believed to be the nation鈥檚 first 3D Construction Program to add to its current construction programs. Students can learn the emerging new technology of 3D printing to construct houses.

Arizona organizations join the reskilling effort听

In Arizona, those joining with the college districts in the effort are the Governor鈥檚 Office, Achieve60AZ, Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Community College Coordinating Council, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., Pinal County Economic and Workforce Development Department, and The Boeing Company.

About the Reskilling and Recovery Network听

The network is a partnership between the NGA鈥檚 Center for Best Practices and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) with support from the Lumina and Siemens foundation. 

Through the network, Arizona and other states will:

• Engage employers in partnering with community colleges to train and hire new employees, prioritizing jobs that pay a living wage or more.
• Engage with a collaborative network of like-minded state leaders  to strategize economic and workforce recovery on a regular basis.
• Receive access to tools designed by peers in the field and be paired with experts engaged by the NGA Center and AACC.
• Have access to technical assistance including webinars, facilitated peer-to-peer learning, virtual state site visits and more.

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