Kimber Lanning, founder of Local First Arizona, talks about why the organization is involved with the Discovery Triangle. Check out this new video.

Approximately 75 fourth-graders from Griffith Elementary School hosted a summit showcasing a year’s worth of sustainability education.

The Sustainability Summit, in its second year, saw students giving presentations on sustainability issues such as air pollution, the benefits of solar energy, ground water pollution, recycling and renewable resources.

The summit was sponsored by an education grant from University of Phoenix, a Discovery Triangle Development Corporation board member.

“We knew we wanted elementary school students old enough to get the concepts and young enough to still be excited about it,” said Melissa Antone, Apollo sustainability director. “It seems to be the perfect age to introduce this concept.”

Presentations during the summit – held June 4 at the school – were built on storyboards made of recycled materials with students using PowerPoint slides via laptop computers to further illustrate their presentations.

“The goal was to introduce – on a fourth-grade level – what sustainability is and what that means in their lives and how they can start to make a difference,” said Kathy Puryear, a fourth-grade instructor. “They really took it very personally. They did their own research, they did everything on their own so they own it and own the concept.”

Student Diego Garcia gave a presentation on the benefits of converting to solar energy. One of the uses for solar energy was as a power source for cars. Garcia keyed up a photo of a sleek sports car in his PowerPoint.

“I can’t wait to drive that one day,” he said.

In addition, the students built a tortoise habitat in the school’s courtyard to house a desert tortoise as an outdoor learning space. Last year, the students created an outdoor garden.

“We wanted something that was going to be sustainable,” Puryear said. “We figured a pet would be nice. The first-graders did their first research project on it and all the classes have studied it.”

Colin Tetreault, senior sustainability policy advisor for Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, interacts with students at the Sustainability Summit at Griffith Elementary School.

State Farm is building the $600 million Marina Heights development near Tempe Town Lake with more than 2 million square feet to be constructed on 20 acres. It will be the largest office development deal in Arizona history.

State Farm selected the site because of Tempe’s growing population with the necessary workforce skills, access to amenities and public transportation.

Job Fairs
10 a.m. – 8 p.m., June 11
8 a.m. – 3 p.m., June 12

Doubletree Suites by Hilton Phoenix Airport
320 North 44th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85008

Click here to apply online.

Courtesy of State Farm

Construction costs are estimated at $600 million.

The City of Tempe announced that Ryan Companies US, Inc., and Sunbelt Holdings will develop a site adjacent to Tempe Town Lake.

State Farm will lease the five-building campus and hire new employees who will provide claims, service and sales support. State Farm selected the site because of Tempe’s growing population with the necessary workforce skills, access to amenities and public transportation.

“These employees, buildings and amenities will further contribute to and showcase the vibrancy of Tempe Town Lake, Mill Avenue, and Arizona State University, and serve as a catalyst for more high-quality development,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell.

Courtesy of City of Tempe

“In the Discovery Triangle, there is access to a wide range of housing options and access to employment and capital. It’s the most asset-rich 25 square miles in the Southwestern U.S,” said Don Keuth, Discovery Triangle Development Corporation president.

Click here to see the magazine. Scroll to page 23.

Photo courtesy of the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation at GateWay Community College

AZRE magazine cited Keuth’s help in creating the Discovery Triangle Development Corporation and serving 14 years on the Phoenix Planning Commission among his accomplishments.

Click here to see a video interview with AZRE Editor Peter Madrid on why Keuth was chosen.

AZRE’s People to Know features some of the most well-respected and knowledgeable experts in the commercial real estate industry.

Nominees were evaluated on length of time in the community, accomplishments in the commercial real estate industry and work in the community.

Click here to read about winners in other categories. AZRE also named Dave Crawford of Sundt Construction, a DT board member, as the general contractor industry leader.

The winners will be featured in the July/August 2013 issue of AZRE.

Dog parks contribute to residents’ quality of life and factor into attracting jobs and talent, according to the Republic.

Phoenix and Tempe each have five dog parks. Is that enough? Do you think the parks improve quality of life?

Find the Phoenix and Tempe dog park closest to you.

Photo Courtesy of City of Phoenix.

“Arizona is fast becoming the hotspot for early stage, inventive entrepreneurs to incubate their ideas and bring the most promising technologies to market,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority, in a prepared statement.

The Arizona Innovation Challenge awards qualified, innovative startups and early stage companies capital to grow their business, ultimately advancing innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona.

The 27 semifinalists represent targeted industries including clean tech/renewable energy, bio/life sciences, information technology, aerospace and defense, and advanced manufacturing. Click here to check out the companies.

Photo Courtesy of Arizona Commerce Authority

Your children can learn how to market a product at Build a Business Camp, get hands-on experience at the Automotive Academy and dissect a sheep brain at Science Camp.

Click here to check out the class schedule.

Photo Courtesy of GateWay Community College