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Despite losing more than half of its budget, Tourism Office remains optimistic
Despite losing about 65 percent of its budget in the midst of a severe statewide economic crunch, the outlook at the Arizona Office of Tourism seems as bright as the Arizona sun.
Tourism Office markets to increasingly valuable international tourists
The nationwide recession delivered a heavy uppercut to Arizona's tourism industry, but state tourism officials are hoping to avoid a knockout blow by leaning more heavily on foreign travelers.
Fresh-fried: Technology firm cooks up a restaurant innovation
The argument for environmental protection and sustainability often centers on the oil that powers our cars and heats our homes. Routinely left out of the discussion is the oil that sizzles our french fries.
Statewide certification program helps hotels find their ‘green’
Recycling printer cartridges gives applicants two points. Setting copiers to print on both sides of the paper earns three. Donating food to soup kitchens or charities equals 10 points. The goal is a minimum of 100 points, which is the threshold for resorts in Arizona to earn the new statewide Certified Green Lodging recognition, provided by the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association in partner[...]
Field of solar dreams: Next-gen dishes could deliver bright future
A walking tour of the Maricopa Solar generating facility, billed as the "world's first commercial-scale SunCatcher plant," is like taking a step into the future. It's not as striking as the movie "Avatar," which is set at a time when Earth's resources have been depleted, but it provides a glimpse of what is being done to deal with the depletion of nonrenewable energy sources.
Energy-efficiency bills targeting state buildings likely going nowhere
Four bills were proposed by Democrats during the 2010 legislative session that would have revised energy-reduction deadlines and created new standards for energy consumption in state buildings, but none of them have received committee approval and appear dead for now.
Regents fail to meet energy-saving mandates
The Board of Regents, which oversees the three state universities, failed to meet the 2008 deadline to decrease energy use by 10 percent, instead achieving a meager 1.3 percent reduction.
State agencies, universities ignore energy-reduction law
Back in 2003, lawmakers passed a law that required state agencies and universities to reduce their energy consumption by 10 percent by the end of 2008. The legislation had overwhelming bipartisan support, but the results were disappointing.
Looking to lend: Credit unions seeking authority to expand business loans
Credit unions, which have been less affected by the recession than other financial institutions, are seeking the authority to make more business loans to their members. All they need is an act of Congress.
Wheeless sees fewer, healthier banks when crisis ends
For Tanya Wheeless, the past six years have been a roller coaster ride, from the historic crest of banking activity to the low point at which traditional stalwarts of the financial industry ran completely off the rails.
E-fighting fraud: With fewer auditors, ADRE is tracking firms with technology
If necessity is the mother of invention, a slumping economy fathered a state agency's need to implement electronic audits of property management companies amid growing concerns of fraud.
The not-so-fast track for constructing high-speed rail
The last time intercity passenger trains served Madison, Wisconsin's capital city, students at the University of Wisconsin campus there were protesting the Vietnam War. The trains stopped running when Amtrak took over passenger service around the country in 1971. But in January, the federal government announced it would give the state $810 million in stimulus money to return passenger trains to Wi[...]
