Phoenix Business News from Biz Journals

• Joan Jordan heads Sanford Rose Phoenix office March 11, 2010
  Executive search firm Sanford Rose Associates opened a Phoenix office Wednesday as part of an expansion over the past few months.
• Arizona exports drop 30 percent from 2008 March 10, 2010
  Arizona exports dropped by $5.8 billion in 2009 with the recession taking a toll on cooper, computer and semiconductor trade.
• Medicis increases quarterly dividend March 10, 2010
  Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. is increasing its quarterly dividends from 4 to 6 cents a share. (MRX)
• AZ jobless rate up 114% since recession began March 10, 2010
  Arizona’s unemployment rate has gone up 114 percent since the start of the recession at the end of 2007.
• Tech purchases rise nationally, fall in AZ March 10, 2010
  Manufacturing companies bought up new technology in January at a faster clip than last year, but Arizona companies spent about half of their 2009 total.
• Essco Wholesale joins Trina Solar distribution list March 10, 2010
  Essco Wholesale Electric Inc. has signed on as a distributor for Trina Solar Ltd. as the Chinese firm looks to set up U.S. channels. (TSL)
• Queen Creek schools receive $848,964 in stimulus funds March 10, 2010
  Queen Creek Unified School District has received a federal stimulus grant to help it upgrade energy efficiency at its schools.
• Jeb Bush backs McCain March 10, 2010
  Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday he is endorsing U.S. Sen McCain in his bid for a fifth term in the U.S. Senate.
• Tribune lays off several dozen following sale March 10, 2010
  Following the approval of its sale Tuesday by a bankruptcy court judge, today brought several dozen job cuts at the East Valley Tribune.
• Cougars & Co. to debut with bachelor fundraiser March 10, 2010
  Cougars & Co. will host its formal launch as part of a bachelor auction to benefit St. Joseph’s Hospital.