Phoenix Business News from Biz Journals

• US Airways Center celebrates 20th anniversary, debuts theater boxes February 4, 2012
  Country crooner George Strait opened US Airways Center in the first public concert at the downtown Phoenix venue in June 1992. Two decades later, Strait packed the house again as part of a big event celebrating the center's 20th anniversary. The sports and entertainment venue, which is home to the NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA Phoenix Mercury and the Arena Football League's Arizona Rattlers, has hosted more than 30 million guests for its 3,400 events in the past 20 years. The facility's first major renovation occurred in 2003, when an air-conditioned glass pavilion was added around the box office...
• Money Talks: January job report, S&P gain buoy expectations the recovery is entrenched February 4, 2012
  On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed workers fell in January to the lowest levels since 2009. The U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January, beating economists’ expectations and continuing the trend of positive economic data that began in the fourth quarter of 2011. The unemployment rate dropped from 8.5 percent to 8.3 percent. “All in all, a solid jobs report that is supportive of ongoing income and spending growth and improvement in business and consumer sentiment,” said Robert Dye, a Comerica Bank economist...
• Tempe architect Mark Vinson receives AIA honor February 4, 2012
  Tempe City Architect Mark Vinson has received one of the highest honors bestowed by the American Institute of Architects. Vinson will receive the Fellowship medal at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition May 17 in Washington. The medal is given to AIA members who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society. Vinson is the only architect in Arizona to receive the honor this year and one of three in the Western Mountain Region. Some 105 members will be inducted into the College of Fellows this year...
• SRP to join Chevy Volt test project February 4, 2012
  Salt River Project will be part of a research effort with the Electric Power Research Institute to test electric vehicles and how they use power. The utility will use a single Chevrolet Volt as part of its fleet to test driving distances, charging times and user habits. Information will be collected through the car’s OnStar system and transmitted back to EPRI. SRP will not have direct access to the information but will share in the analysis of the vehicle, said spokesman Scott Harleson. “We are hoping to understand how the cars are used, develop an understanding of charging behavior, state of charge, length of trips and reliance on gas back up,” he said...
• Planned Parenthood holds Arizona fundraiser after Komen flap February 4, 2012
  Planned Parenthood’s political arm in Arizona will hold a fundraising event next month with Planned Parenthood Federation of America CEO Cecile Richards. The event comes on the heels of the abortion-fueled national controversy involving Planned Parenthood and whether it will receive funding from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The March 15 annual luncheon and fundraiser will benefit Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, the political advocacy arm of the women’s health group and abortion provider...
• MC Companies, Clark-Wayland form joint venture February 3, 2012
  Scottsdale-based MC Companies and Phoenix-based Clark-Wayland have merged to create a joint venture called MC Clark-Wayland. The venture will focus mainly on development and construction of new multifamily projects in Phoenix and Tucson. The combined company has about 175 full-time employees. It currently has two projects under construction in Tucson. “Together, the company is a full-spectrum real estate company with a depth that investors will appreciate,” said Jere Clark, principal of Clark-Wayland...
• Ad execs brace for wave of Super Bowl car ads February 3, 2012
  “Make us laugh” and “remember who you are” are the themes advertising experts say Super Bowl ads need to adhere to this Sunday. The Super Bowl isn't just a game, it's also the Super Bowl of American advertising with ads running on NBC this year for $3.5 million for a 30-second spot. That means big risk and reward companies and brands advertising during the big football game. Scottsdale-based Go Daddy Inc., Anheuser-Busch InBev, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Toyota, Honda, Kia, Acura, Cars.com and General Motors are among those slated to have Super Bowl ads this Sunday...
• Arizona bills Amazon $53M for back taxes February 3, 2012
  Arizona is following a growing trend among states looking to real in money from online sales by sending Amazon.com a bill for $53 million for back taxes it claims the company owes. While the Arizona Department of Revenue won’t comment on the bill citing taxpayer confidentiality, documents Amazon filed with the SEC show the bill covers 2006 through 2010 for purchases made by Arizona residents through the online retailer and includes sales taxes for the state and cities. DOR has said in the past that Amazon should have been collecting in-state sales taxes...
• ABN gains exposure from Phoenix Open app February 3, 2012
  Scottsdale-based ABN Mobile Inc. is getting a big boost this week thanks to the PGA and the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, which selected the company as the tournament’s mobile app provider. The PGA tournament is under way at the TPC Scottsdale through Feb. 5. ABN Mofile developed a free app for both iPhone and Android devices that features descriptions of each golf course hole, daily event information, updates and on-the-ground navigation to points of interest on the course. Chip Tolleson, ABN Mobile’s business development director, said the app is bringing good exposure for the business, which also hopes to use the underlying program as a platform to create new products...
• Avnet to buy Canvas Systems February 3, 2012
  Avnet Inc. is adding another business to its list of acquisitions as it agreed this week to buy Canvas Systems, a move aimed at boosting its technology sector and dealing with electronics recycling and refurbishment. Financial details were not disclosed. Phoenix-based Avnet (NYSE: AVT) said the Norcross, Ga.-based Canvas will be added to its Technology Solutions business unit and provide an array of services to the company. “The addition of Canvas Systems enhances Avnet Technology Solutions’ ability to deliver a seamless solution at any phase in the IT lifecycle and provides its suppliers an additional channel for capturing brand loyalty in the secondary market,” said Jeff Bawol, president of Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas...