Photos from the groundbreaking ceremony of PhoenixMart, a 1.7-million-square-foot multi-functional wholesale, retail and convention center space. As a one-stop solution that connects worldwide buyers to competitive sellers, PhoenixMart will showcase the products of nearly 2,000 exhibitors and create approximately 9,000 jobs.

Rep. Gosar  who was instrumental in working with local stakeholders to facilitate its launch said, “with a smile and a can-do attitude, Casa Grande can be the center of business in Arizona. PhoenixMart will create thousands of jobs locally and facilitate global innovation. I can’t wait to watch its ripple effect. I would be remiss not to applaud the local officials and local efforts that went into helping make this project a reality.” In an increasingly intertwined global economy, Rep. Gosar believes bringing foreign investment to the United States is essential both in creating and sustaining a strong American workforce, in addition to keeping the nation competitive in the world markets.

Mayor Jackson said, “It’s a good day for Casa Grande. Not everyday we get a landmark industry coming to town, particularly one that will have such a positive impact not just in Arizona but nationally.”

For full story see https://realestatedaily-news.com/new-1-7-million-sf-global-commerce-center-phoenixmart-breaks-ground-casa-grande/

Notable participants included former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01) and the Mayor of Casa Grande, Bob Jackson.

Arizona’s Office of Employment and Population Statistics came out with its predictions last Thursday to expect 59,000 jobs to be added in 2014, with the growth rate increasing from 2% in the two years prior to 2.3%, according to the report.

Overall, the report said, the U.S. has regained 78% of the jobs lost since the pre-recession peak. Arizona has only seen 47% of the jobs lost come back, but “the fundamentals of Arizona’s economy continue to show signs of growth,” it said.

Thursday’s report, indicated that growth would be slightly higher than had been predicted by a May forecast.

Job growth will be led by the professional and business services sector, which is forecast to add 32,400 jobs in both 2013 and 2014. In total, that sector including temporary workers and consultants was the fourth-largest portion of all jobs in Arizona in 2012.

Growth rates in 2014 are expected to be higher than 2013 across all regions. Phoenix is forecast to continue growing at a faster pace (2.6%) than Tucson (2.1%), Balance of State (1.3%), and the state overall (2.3%). For 2014 the job gains forecast for Phoenix MSA are 46,700 jobs, Tucson MSA 7,800 jobs, and Balance of State 4,400 jobs.

The report said 2.57 million Arizonans will have jobs that aren’t farm-related at the end of 2014, up from 2.39 million in 2010. Population growth is forecast to continue in 2014 at a rate of 1.2%, the same as the previous year and up from 0.2% in 2010.

Aruna Murthy, the state’s director of economic analysis, said job growth could be curtailed by federal budget cuts, economic uncertainty and a possible drop in demand for residential real estate following rising interest rates. Spending cuts by federal and state governments could also restrict growth, as could weak consumer demand.

“For most of these sectors, 2014 looks better than 2013,” she said. “There are some where it’s a little higher than others, but in general it’s a better year in the number of jobs overall.”

The report said that Arizona will add 48,500 jobs in 2013.

“There are lots of good things happening, but things could change at any time, so there’s no certainty,” Murthy said. “Despite the unemployment rate dropping and improvement in the overall employment situation, we still have constrained household budgets, there is still employment insecurity, the wages are still low, the debt is high and the essential cost of living is going up.”

Dennis Hoffman, an economist at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, said shrinking consumer demand among baby boomers could remain a headwind.

“The economy needs consumers ready and willing to step up to the plate to purchase products,” he said. “There’s still a lot of that going on, but it’s just not going on at near the frenzied pace of the last several decades. And that’s just the aging of the baby boomers.”

Hoffman said government could help by making infrastructure investments to help the economy move forward.

Trade, transportation and utilities jobs will grow only modestly, from nearly 58,000 jobs in 2012 to just over 60,000 in 2014, according to the forecast.

The report predicted that leisure and hospitality jobs will surpass the 2007 peak by the end of the year, led by the food and beverage service subsector. The report predicted that the sector overall will add 7,600 jobs in 2014, growing to over 280,000 jobs total.

For full detailed jobs report click here https://www.azstats.gov/pubs/labor/PR-Forecast-2.pdf

RETAIL – 3682 W. ORANGE GROVE, MARANA
Conn’s has leased a ± 40,000 sq. ft. space at Marana Marketplace, 3682 W. Orange Grove, Tucson located on the SE corner of Orange Grove Rd. and Thornydale Rd. in Marana Arizona. The premises will be used as a retail store for the sales of home appliances, consumer electronic, home and office furniture, mattresses and other home/office and related products and accessories. They are scheduled to open for business in the spring of 2014. Andy Seleznov, CCIM, Director of Leasing at Larsen Baker represented the landlord. Nancy McClure with CBRE’s Tucson office represented the tenant.

RETAIL – 3682 W. ORANGE GROVE, TUCSON
The Guitar Center has leased a 11,412 sq.ft. space at Marana Marketplace Shopping Center, 3682 W. Orange Grove, Tucson, located on the southeast corner of Orange Grove & River. The Premises will be used for the sale, rental, and repair of musical instruments. They are scheduled to open for business in the third quarter of 2014. Andy Seleznov and Melissa Lal represented the Landlord, Larsen Baker, while Regan Amato, of Phoenix Commercial Advisors represented the Tenant.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]$14 -35 psf (Annual), NNN[/mepr-show]

OFFICE – 698 E WETMORE, TUCSON
Dermatology and Plastic Surgery of Arizona, LLC leased 2,470 square feet of medical office at 698 E. Wetmore Road,#310 Tucson, from First Ave./Wetmore Office Plaza, LLC. Andrew Sternberg of Oxford Realty Advisors handled the transaction.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]Phone  to reach tenant- 520-458-1787[/mepr-show]

OFFICE / MEDICAL – 3395 N. CAMPBELL, TUCSON
Dr. Charles B. Evans leased a 2,550-square-foot medical office space at Rillito Corporate Park, 3395 N. Campbell Ave. Dr. Tucson. Evans is a Scottsdale-based internalist and men’s health specialist. This is the second practice location for the tenant, who plans to take occupancy in early November. David Montijo with CBRE’s Tucson office represented the landlord, Sante Fe, N.M.-based H.P. Enterprises LP. Alan Laulanien with Coaction Group LLC in Phoenix represented the tenant.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]Tenant’s Phone – 480-588-6924[/mepr-show]

RETAIL – THE TUCSON PLACE SHOPPNG CENTER
College Vapor has leased a 2,167 sq.ft. Space at The Tucson Place Shopping Center, located on the NW corner of First Ave. & Wetmore Rd. Tucson. The Premises will be used as a store specializing in the sale and on-site use of if electric cigarettes and related equipment. They are scheduled to open for business October 2013. Andy Seleznov, CCIM, Director of Leasing at Larsen Baker handled the transaction.

RETAIL / RESTAURANT – 8300 N. THORNYDALE, TUCSON
Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue leased a 2,000 square-foot restaurant space at Cortaro Plaza, 8300 N. Thornydale Road, Suite 120, Tucson.. The new Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue location, the third in the Tucson area, is expected to open mid-January 2014. Craig Finfrock of Commercial Retail Advisors, LLC represented both the landlord, Cortaro Investments, LLC, and the tenant, Mama’s Family Restaurants, LLC, in this transaction.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]Phone – 520-792-2350[/mepr-show]

OFFICE – CRAYCROFT PLAZA
Youth & Families First, has leased a 1,449 sq.ft. space at Craycroft Plaza, located on Craycroft Rd., just north of Speedway Blvd. The Premises will be used as an office specializing in youth and family counseling. They are scheduled to open for business November 2013. Andy Seleznov and Melissa Lal represented the Landlord, Larsen Baker, while Nancy McClure, of CBRE, represented the Tenant.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]Tenant Phone – 623-435-6840[/mepr-show]

RETAIL -4821 E. GRANT RD., TUCSON
Good Feet has leased a 1,268 sq.ft. space at Crossroads Festival, 4821 E. Grant, Tucson, located on the NE corner of Grant Rd. & Swan Rd. The Premises will be used as a retail store specializing in the sale of arch supports, orthotics, shoe inserts orthopedic and conform shoes and related footwear items. They are scheduled to open for business December 2013. Andy Seleznov and Melissa Lal represented the Landlord, Larsen Baker. Advisors handled the transaction.

[mepr-show rules=”58038″]Tenant Phone – 1-800-509-4535[/mepr-show]

OFFICE – 1611 N. WILMOT, TUCSON
1701, LLC did a 485 square foot sublease at 1611 N. Wilmot, Suite 106, Tucson, with De Benedetti & Company. Andrew Sternberg of Oxford Realty Advisors represented the Tenant and James Hardman of Desco Southwest, represented the Landlord.