Tucson is Tops

Arizona in Good Position in Latest Crop of Business-Friendly Rankings

In this Area Development survey, Arizona ranked 13^th overall in “Top States for Doing Business.” This feature looks at some of the places you’re most likely to find ripe for growing and doing business successfully. Factors considered include costs, taxes, incentives, training, and a welcoming and hassle-free government. https://www.areadevelopment.com/Top-States-for-Doing-Business/q3-2022/top-states-for-doing-business-provide-an-environment-for-business-growth.shtml (September 2022)

Top U.S. Bike-Friendly City

Livability.com has ranked Tucson as the #2 Bike-Friendly City in the U.S. Finding your way around Tucson on two wheels is easy thanks to a network of multi-use trails. While biking to work is common, cycling isn’t limited to the workweek. With plenty of sunshine to encourage spending time outdoors, there are regular cycling events and rides for a variety of skill levels. https://livability.com/topics/healthy-places/8-surprisingly-bike-friendly-cities/ (September 2022)

Arizona Ranks Among 10 Best States for Infrastructure

Arizona came in at #10 in SmartAsset’s study looking at current infrastructure conditions in all 50 states. They compared states across eight metrics on topics such as road, bridge and public transportation quality, internet coverage, water system needs, and electric grid reliability. Arizona has the lowest average frequency and length of power outages across all 50 states. It also has the fourth-highest percentage of bridges in good or fair condition, has over 80% of roads in good condition, and broadband coverage for almost 90% of the state. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/states-with-the-best-infrastructure-2022 (September 2022)

UArizona and ASU Included in Forbes America’s Top Colleges

Forbes Top Colleges methodology includes measures pertaining to graduate success as well as academic excellence in its evaluation of 500 four-year schools drawn from nearly 2,700 higher education institutions in the United States. These measures include: alumni salary, debt, graduation and retention rates, and academic success measured by receipt of fellowships and doctorates. ASU ranked #125 and UArizona ranked #131. https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/ (September 2022)

Best Places to Retire

Niche has released its 2022 Best Places to Retire list and has named Tucson #28. Scottsdale is the top city to retire in the U.S. Other Arizona cities that made the list: Mesa #12, Tempe #46 and Phoenix #59. This ranking takes into account key factors, such as weather, crime rates, residents 65 and older, housing costs, and access to amenities such as restaurants, golf courses, exercise facilities, and doctors, in an attempt to measure the appeal of an area for retirement. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/best-cities-to-retire/ (September 2022)

UArizona Recognized Nationally

Recognized by the Best Colleges 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report, The University of Arizona was nationally ranked #105 (tie) among all universities and #48 (tie) among public universities. It was ranked #11 among all colleges and universities designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. U.S. News Best College Rankings – In addition to ranking #5 for Management Information Systems, UArizona also ranks #67 (tie) for Best Colleges for Veterans, #20 (tie) Accounting, #21 (tie) Entrepreneurship, #30 (tie) Business, #29 (tie) Nursing, #54 (tie) Computer Science and Engineering. U.S. News Best Grad School Rankings includes #3 Information Systems (#1 among public universities), #2 Geology, #9 (tie) Earth Sciences, #47 (tie) Business School, #43 (tie) Part-time MBA, #54 (tie) Best Education Schools, #64 (tie) Best Engineering Schools, #45 Best Law Schools, #74 (tie) Best Medical Schools: Research, #30 (tie) Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice and #34 (tie) Best Nursing Schools: Master’s. U.S. News Best Online Programs Rankings Includes #6 Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs, #10 (tie) Best Online MBA Programs, #30 (tie) Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs, #32 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs, #4 Best Bachelor’s Programs for Vets, and #7 Best Online Bachelors Program. U.S. News Best Global University Rankings includes #99 Best Global Universities, #42 Arts and Humanities, #105 (tie) Economics and Business, #42 Environment/Ecology, #53 Plant and Animal Science, #115 (tie) Psychiatry/Psychology, #123 (tie) Social Sciences and Public Health and #10 Space Science. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-arizona-1083 (September 2022)

UArizona Top 100 Global Patent Ranking

The University of Arizona ranks #28 among worldwide institutions in earning utility patents, The National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association said today. The report is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association compile the rankings each year by calculating the number of utility patents that list a university as the first assignee. It underscores the university’s effort to ease the process for acquiring patents. https://academyofinventors.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/8.17.2022-Top-100.pdf (September 2022)

Arizona’s Three State Universities Best for Vets

Military Times released its 2022 list of the top 311 four-year universities. The University of Arizona ranked #8 (#1 in the West), Northern Arizona University ranked #20, and Arizona State University ranked #33 among the top public universities in the nation for military and veteran students according to Military Times. https://colleges.militarytimes.com/ (September 2022)

Pima Community College Ranks as Fifth Best Employer in State

Forbes named the Pima Community College #5 out of 75 of Arizona’s best employers in a recent study. Other employers in the state – The University of Arizona #36, City of Tucson #43, and Banner University #67 – all made the list. https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-employers-by-state/?sh=14a069a91983 (August 2022)

Arizona in Top Third for Women’s Equality

Arizona comes in at #15 for Women’s Equality, according to a study conducted by WalletHub. The study compared all 50 states across three key dimensions: Workplace Environment, Education & Health, and Political Empowerment. Arizona also ranked #5 for “Political Empowerment.” https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-women-equality/5835 (August 2022)

Tucson #2 Dog Friendly City

Tucson ranked as the 2^nd most dog-friendly city in the U.S according to a recent study conducted by SmartAsset.com. The seventh annual study lists the top 25 most dog-friendly cities based on a metric in 6 categories: dog-friendly restaurants, parks, walk score, average days of precipitation, and median home values. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/most-dog-friendly-cities-in-america-2022 (August 2022)

Tucson a Best City for Conferences

SmartAsset’s seventh annual study of Best Cities for conferences lists Tucson at #5. To uncover the cities that offer the best atmosphere for conferences, SmartAsset analyzed 31 major cities with at least 100 hotels each. They compared cities across a total of eight metrics, grouped into three categories: hotels & dining, affordability and travel accessibility & safety. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-cities-for-conferences-2022 (August 2022)

154 Arizona Companies Make Inc. 5000

A total of 154 Arizona companies made the Inc. 5000 list for 2022. That is an increase of 37 Arizona companies over the previous year. Inc. 5000 is the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. Arizona is home to many innovative companies that are driving the state’s economy. The top five Tucson area companies are: Nemean Solutions, Pyx Health, Tyler’s Coffee, Golden Sunshine, and Catalyst Connect. The top five Phoenix area companies are: Qwick, Emerge, Kayo Energy, Cross Country Creative, and Zenernet. https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2022?cid=sf01001 (August 2022)

UArizona Cancer Center Receives Highest NCI Designation as Comprehensive Cancer Center

The National Cancer Institute recently renewed The University of Arizona Cancer Center’s status as an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the corresponding support grant for a new five-year period. The UArizona Cancer Center is one of 53 designated by the NCI and the only one in Arizona. The designation is the highest awarded by the NCI. https://healthsciences.arizona.edu/newsroom/news-releases/0822/uarizona-cancer-center-receives-highest-nci-designation-comprehensive?_ga=2.185847593.1263186286.1664639911-1279395078.1652203223&_gl=1*8fxdrd*_ga*MTI3OTM5NTA3OC4xNjUyMjAzMjIz*_ga_7PV3540XS3*MTY2NDY1MjM2Ni4zNC4xLjE2NjQ2NTM0MjAuNjAuMC4w (August 2022)

Best Arizona Community Colleges

WalletHub looked at more than 700 community colleges across the U.S. and compared 17 metrics in three categories: cost and financing, education outcomes and career outcomes. Among other things, the metrics included tuition and fees, retention rates and student loan default. https://wallethub.com/edu/e/best-worst-community-colleges/15076/#main-findings (August 2022)

• 106. GateWay Community College
• 205. Scottsdale Community College
• 247. Paradise Valley Community College
• 263. Mesa Community College
• 265. Glendale Community College
• 295. Cochise County Community College District
• 344. Estrella Mountain Community College
• 373. Phoenix College
• 412. Yavapai College
• 430. Pima Community College
• 431. South Mountain Community College
• 447. Eastern Arizona College
• 493. Mohave Community College
• 539. Chandler-Gilbert Community College
• 554. Coconino Community College
• 587. Central Arizona College
• 610. Northland Pioneer College
• 626. Rio Salado College
• 676. Tohono O’Odham Community College

Arizona is Tops for Pets

Tucson came in #84 with high rankings for pet friendly outside spaces and businesses. Scottsdale came in at #1 and Phoenix at #33. With animal parents in mind, WalletHub compared the pet-friendliness of the 100 largest U.S. cities across 24 key metrics. The data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendly-cities/5562/ (August 2022)

UArizona Named Among Top Universities in the Country

The University of Arizona placed 87^th overall and 51^st among public universities in Washington Monthly magazine’s 2022 college rankings. Schools are rated based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs), and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country). https://washingtonmonthly.com/2022-college-guide/national/ (August 2022)

Best Cities for Early Retirement

SmartAsset conducted a study to determine which cities are better for bringing early retirement plans to fruition. Tucson came in at #26. The study compared the 100 largest cities across four categories: tax friendliness, elderly care, affordability and livability. https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/10-best-cities-for-an-early-retirement-include-4-from-arizona/ (August 2022)

Best College for Your Money

Money has ranked a list of the best colleges that combine educational quality, affordability, and alumni success. The University of Arizona came in #198 of the more than 600 best performing colleges that were analyzed. https://money.com/best-colleges/ (August 2022)

City of Tucson, Pima County and Pima Community College Receive Procurement Award

City of Tucson, Pima County and Pima Community College were recognized with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute. Other Arizona recipients include: Arizona State University, Central Arizona Project, City of Chandler, City of Mesa, and City of Tempe. Award Criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes to the procurement function. https://www.npi-aep.org/aep-award-recipients (August 2022)

UArizona One of Top Universities in America

The University of Arizona is ranked #65 of the top public universities in America according to Niche. The rankings were chosen by a rigorous analysis of academic admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. The ranking compares more than 500 public colleges and state universities. https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/top-public-universities/ (August 2022)

Best Real Estate Markets

WalletHub has released its list of the Best Real Estate markets. The rankings include Gilbert #7, Peoria #9, Surprise #18, Chandler #22, Tempe #30, Mesa #36, Phoenix #39, Scottsdale #59, Glendale #65 and Tucson #134. To determine the best local real estate markets, WalletHub’s analysts compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 21 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-real-estate-markets/14889 (August 2022)

UArizona Among Top 388 Colleges

The Princeton Review again has named The University of Arizona as one of the best higher education institutions in the nation for undergraduate education. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Princeton Review took a different approach starting with the 2022 edition. The publication curated more than two dozen “Great Lists,” which focus on topics that have become increasingly important to college applicants and parents searching for the right colleges including financial aid, professors and overall classroom experience. The final 388 schools included in the 2023 edition represent each school that appears on a “Great List.” https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges?ceid=nav-1-es (August 2022)

Tucson Ranks #13 Among Top 25 Places to Buy a Vacation Home

North America’s leading vacation rental management platform released its fifth annual Top 25 Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home report, and Tucson landed at #13. Each year, the company ranks its top 25 markets based on capitalization rate. It also factors key data points, including median home sale price and annual gross rental revenue. Tucson and Phoenix are newcomers that represent popular desert destinations. https://biztucson.com/2022/07/27/tucson-ranks-no-13-among-top-25-places-to-buy-a-vacation-home/ (July 2022)

Best Hospitals in Arizona

According to U.S. News & World Report, Mayo Clinic ranks #1 (#18 on the national Best Hospitals Honor Roll), Banner University Medical Center Phoenix #2, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center #3, TMC Healthcare-Tucson #4, Banner Boswell #5 (tie), Abrazo Arrowhead Campus #5, Chandler Regional Medical Center #7, Northwest Medical Center-Tucson #8 (tie), and Honor Health #8. U.S. News & World Report evaluated 111 hospitals in Arizona. Nine met the high standards and are ranked in the state. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/az (July 2022)

UArizona Water Resources Program No. 2 in the U. S. and No. 6 Globally

The University of Arizona has been recognized by the Shanghai Academic Rankings of World Universities as #6 globally in the area of water resources. Also ranked in the top 50: communication #35, library and information sciences #28, ecology #28, earth sciences #27, atmospheric sciences #32, earth sciences #27, business administration #36 and geography #39. The Shanghai ARWU subject rankings score more than 1,200 global universities based on the number of papers authored by an institution in an academic subject, the ratio of citations of the papers published to the average citations of the papers in the same category to the number of papers published in the journals in the amount of international collaboration and the total number of staff members that have won significant awards. http://www.shanghairanking.com/institution/university-of-arizona (July 2022)

Tucson is one of America’s Best Cities

Tucson has been named the 34^th Best City in the U.S. in the 2022 America’s Best Cities annual report by Resonance Consultancy. Fast-growing Tucson is ranked #12 in place and #15 in Parks & Outdoors subcategories. The report said Tucson’s Sun Link LRT is sure to improve quality of life, creating a focus on fewer cars and more walkability designed to pull the sprawling population together, closer to downtown. There is also an inflow of educated transplants seeking sun, solitude and affordable housing. www.bestcities.org/rankings/americas-best cities/?fbclid=IwAR2Fd1AZfbUMIIue6RkChX8qlnyDKHIQwbQNcClhGzDLsRyAEDf7lUyc8tw (July 2022)

Most Educated City

WalletHub determined where the most educated Americans are choosing to settle. Tucson ranked #44. In order to do so, they compared the 150 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas across nine key metrics. Their data set ranges from the percentage of adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher to the attainment gap between women and men. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-and-least-educated-cities/6656/ (July 2022)

Arizona Cities Among Best for Recreation

WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 35 key metrics that speak to the relative benefits of public spaces and recreational activities across the country. Tucson ranked 12^th for best recreation. Other Arizona cities that made the list are: Scottsdale #5, Phoenix #14, Chandler #19, Glendale #22, Mesa #41, and Gilbert #50. For each city, they examined basic living costs, the quality of parks, the accessibility of entertainment and recreational facilities as well as the climate. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-recreation/5144/ (July 2022)

Best State Economies

A new study by WalletHub finds that the Arizona economy ranked #17 among the 20 best in the U.S. and listed it ahead of many states for attracting relocating companies. To compile the rankings, each state and Washington D.C were compared across 28 economic performance and strength indicators. Data ranged from growth in gross domestic product to start up activity and share of jobs in the high-tech industry. https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697 (June 2022)

Tucson #2 of 10 Best U.S. Cities for Hiking

LawnStarter ranked 2022’s Best Cities for Hiking to mark National Trails Day on June 4. Surrounded by five mountain ranges, it’s no surprise that Tucson landed in the study’s number two spot. There are hundreds of miles of trails available to hikers of all skill levels. The study looked at 13 hiker-friendly factors such as hiking access, trail difficulty, and safety. https://bestlifeonline.com/news-best-us-cities-hiking/ (June 2022)

The University of Arizona Impacts on a Global Scale

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the international ranking service again recognized UArizona’s impact on a global scale. UArizona is tied for #262 globally, #53 in the United States and #64 in North America in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. Globally, this represents a six-spot improvement from last year’s ranking and an eleven-spot improvement over the last two years. QS evaluated 6,415 global higher education institutions to rank the top 1,422 colleges and universities. This marks the first time the university has placed in the top 20% since QS began its ranking in 2004. https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023 (June 2022)

City of Tucson, Banner Health and UArizona Rank as Healthy Worksites

The City of Tucson, Banner Health and UArizona have been recently recognized by the Healthy Arizona Worksite Program as achieving the Platinum Award level of excellence in worksite wellness. The program is a public health initiative offered by the Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa Department of Public Health. It recognizes employers that are making evidence-based efforts to support the health and well-being of their employees and their families. The Town of Oro Valley was also recognized as achieving the Gold Award. https://healthyazworksites.org/award/whos-recognized/#1543592495355-c836c524-9d32 (June 2022)

Tucson Top Birdwatching City

Listed at #6 in the U.S. by Lonely Planet, Tucson and surrounding areas (Saguaro National Park and Chiricahua Mountains) have an abundance of species that cannot be found elsewhere. July’s monsoon season encourages international fliers to the area. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-for-birding-usa (June 2022)

Tucson Best City for Staycation

WalletHub considered 36 key indicators in ranking the 150 largest U.S. cities. Tucson ranks as #18 among best cities for staycations. Scottsdale #29, Tempe #35, Phoenix #74, Glendale #92, Chandler #103, Mesa #115, Peoria #127, and Gilbert #166 are also great places to play. Certain cities are obviously more conducive to a staycation than others. From recreation opportunities to the cost of relaxation, there are a number of factors to consider when evaluating whether or not you can bring the benefits of a vacation to your front door. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-staycations/4341/ (June 2022)

Congratulations to Tucson’s Newest James Beard Award Winner

Tucson’s own Don Guerra of Barrio Bread received a James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. Don has been a tireless champion for the use and production of heritage grains and his community supported bakery makes artisan breads that have people lining around the block. https://thisistucson.com/eat/don-guerra-of-tucson-s-beloved-barrio-bread-just-won-a-james-beard-award/article_24ae28b0-e602-11ec-a040-43f7b99138ac.html?fbclid=IwAR2Q6R0F8ZJhOGbqXDm-dRzXZbglKId8v2RGoOc_ejdcMV60UScPfeOeQpI&mc_cid=b9caca0cb5&mc_eid=098610d9df#1 (June 2022)

Best Place to Visit

According to a recent study by U.S. News, The Grand Canyon was again named as the #1 top destination to visit in 2021 and Sedona is #25 (#5 for best small town). U.S. News used expert opinions, user votes and current trends, in addition to evaluating sights, cultures, scenic beauty, food scenes and more, to compile this list. https://travel.usnews.com/rankings/best-usa-vacations/ (June 2022)

Arizona #2 for Best State for Wellness

Life Extension queried where you can find the best environment to support a healthy lifestyle, and Arizona ranked #2. To determine which are the best and worst states for wellness, Life Extension analyzed eleven metrics across three main categories: physical and mental health, access to nature and parks, and integrative health practices. https://www.lifeextension.com/wellness/lifestyle/health-wellness-states-ranking-in-the-us (June 2022)

Best Cities for Live Music

Phoenix and Tucson have made the list of the top 20 best cities to see live music according to ClickitTicket. To determine the best cities for live music, over 100 of the most populated cities were compared. Whether you are residing there or just visiting, these cities were considered better than the rest for getting the most enjoyment from unique, live music experiences. https://www.clickitticket.com/best-live-music-cities-in-america/ (June 2022)

Tucson Top City for Cyclists

PeopleForBikes has released its annual ratings of the best cities for bicycling in the U.S. and Tucson ranks 184^th. Tucson’s community score was 62, with an average in that category of 24. Tucson was #29 for large cities. The program is a data-driven analysis that evaluates more than 1105 cities and towns and shows city leaders how they can invest to make bicycling better for all residents and visitors. https://cityratings.peopleforbikes.org/ratings (June 2022)

Best-Performing Cities

Tucson has moved up three spots to #38 in the Miliken Institute best-performing index. Published annually since 1999, job creation, wage growth, and output growth are the core components of the report. The 2022 rankings also include housing affordability and broadband access metrics that were introduced the previous year. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale continued its rise to #4, while Sierra Vista made the biggest stride for small cities, moving up to #14. https://azbigmedia.com/business/heres-how-arizonas-top-tier-cities-are-moving-up-the-rankings/ (June 2022)

Golfweek’s Best Public Courses

Golfweek’s top Arizona courses include Golf Club at Dove Mountain #5, Ventana Canyon #6, Sewailo #13, Tucson National #15, La Paloma #16, and Star Pass #26. Each year the raters survey over 3,600 facilities, grading each following Golfweek’s ten strict evaluation standards. The magazine then ranks the best private and public courses in each state. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/best-public-golf-courses-2022-state-by-state-ranking-public-access/ (June 2022)

AZ Cities Receive Tree City USA Recognition

The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America. Marana, Tucson, and Sahuarita all received recognition as “Tree City USA” in honor of Arbor Day. https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/treecities.cfm?chosenstate=Arizona (June 2022)

UArizona Earns Tree Campus USA Designation

As the oldest continually maintained public green space in Arizona, The University of Arizona has again earned the Tree Campus USA recognition for its work promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, honors higher education institutions and leaders across the nation for tree care initiatives. https://www.arborday.org/programs/tree-campus-higher-education/campuses.cfm (June 2022)

Best Places for Outdoor Enthusiasts to Live and Work

Tucson ranks #17 in SmartAsset’s study of the top 25 places to live and work. Other Arizona cites that made the rankings were Scottsdale #4 and Phoenix #12. In this study, SmartAsset determined the best places for outdoor enthusiasts accounting for livability, employment and outdoor access. https://smartasset.com/data-studies/best-places-for-outdoor-enthusiasts-to-live-and-work-2022 (June 2022)

Arizona Ranks High Among States with Best Economic Outlook for 2022

Arizona is 3^rd in the nation in a survey that ranked states with the best overall economic outlook for 2022 and 1^st for economic performance. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conducted the survey, titled “Rich States, Poor States.” The data ranks the 2022 economic outlook for states using 15 equally weighted policy variables, including various tax rates, regulatory burdens and labor policies. www.richstatespoorstates.org/states/AZ/ (May 2022)

Arizona Ranks #1 for Advancement of Charter Schools

The Center for Education Reform has ranked Arizona #1 for the advancement of charter schools. Arizona made a comeback to overtake Florida as the first-place winner. The Grand Canyon State increased funding and the proportion of students in charter schools, innovatively creating new models of education. https://azbigmedia.com/business/arizona-ranks-no-1-for-advancement-of-charter-schools/ (May 2022)

Tucson Continues to Climb in ParkScore®

The Trust for Public Land released its annual ParkScore® Index and Tucson ranked #72, climbing 2 spots from last year after improving 10 spots the year before. Tucson received above-average marks for park amenities and the new park equity category. The ParkScore® Index ranks park systems in the 100 largest U.S. cities and is widely considered the gold standard for park evaluation. https://www.tpl.org/city/tucson-arizona (May 2022)

Arizona Great Place for Nurses

According to WalletHub, Arizona is ranked 7^th in the U.S. as best place to work as a nurse and 4^th highest for lowest competition. The study compared all the U.S. states across 21 key metrics that collectively speak to the nursing job opportunities in each market. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-nurses/4041/ (May 2022)

Arizona Home to 9 of the 15 Most Recovered Cities from the Pandemic

The good news for Arizona is that the state is home to nine of the fifteen most recovered cities in the U.S. – with Tucson coming in at #15 out of 180. Some cities’ jobs have weathered the storm better than others. In order to identify where workers have been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, WalletHub compared 180 cities based on five key metrics. It looked at the change in each city’s unemployment during the latest month for which researchers have data (March 2022) compared to March 2019, 2020, 2021, and January 2020. It also considered each city’s overall unemployment rate. https://wallethub.com/edu/cities-unemployment-rates/73647 (April 2022)

Tucson Has #1 Best Recreational Trail

The Chuck Huckelberry Loop has earned the top spot in USA Today’s 2022 “10 Best Readers’ Choice” travel award contest for Best Recreational Trail for the second year in a row. The Loop was nominated by a panel of experts from USA Today, 10Best.com, expert contributors and other media sources, but it was ultimately crowned the winner thanks to members of the public who selected it as the Best Trail during a four-week online voting contest. The 136+ miles trail system of paved, shared-use paths and short segments of buffered bike lanes connects the Cañada del Oro, Rillito, Santa Cruz, and Pantano River Parks with the Julian Wash and Harrison Road Greenway. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZPIMA/bulletins/3149ff3 (April 2022)

Tucson Named One of America’s Next Great Food Cities

Food & Wine’s special May travel issue showcases eleven culinary destinations worth visiting. Each met the criteria with their creativity, innovation, diversity, and deliciousness. It’s easy to fill up on the tortillas, beans, Sonoran dogs, bread and chocolate – some of the many delicious reasons to visit Tucson that are listed in the article. Also mentioned are great wine and coffee establishments to wash it all down. If you’re just visiting, don’t forget to pack some to take home. https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/best-food-cities (April 2022)

UArizona One of Best Employers for Diversity

The University of Arizona made its third consecutive appearance on Forbes‘ annual Best Employers for Diversity list, placing at #248 out of 500 businesses with at least 1,000 employees. UArizona is ranked #18 of 40 educational institutions on the list, and #10 among public colleges and universities. https://www.forbes.com/best-employers-diversity/#2061de979b9e (April 2022)

Safest Arizona Cities

Oro Valley #4 and Marana #11 are ranked Safest Arizona Cities by SafeWise.com. To determine the safest cities in Arizona, SafeWise.com reviewed the most up-to-date FBI crime report statistics and population data. Rankings are based on the number of violent crimes in each city. Other Arizona top rankings include: Gilbert #6, Maricopa #7, Surprise #8, Scottsdale #12, Peoria #13, Chandler #15, Goodyear #17 and Mesa #19. https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-arizona/ (April 2022)

ASU and UArizona Named Best Value College

Arizona State University and UArizona have made the 2022 Princeton Review list of “Best Value Colleges.” The Princeton Review considered more than 40 data points including academics, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, student debt, and career and salary data. The 209 chosen schools are the most exceptional in the nation at delivering great academics, affordable cost and great career foundations. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=best-value-colleges (April 2022)

Arizona Best High Schools in Nation

Seven Arizona high schools are among the top 50 in the nation, with six more also in the top 100 and three more after that in the top 500, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings of the best high schools for 2022. Nationally ranked Tucson area high schools include: BASIS Oro Valley #27, University High School (Tucson) #28, BASIS Tucson #54, and Catalina Foothills High School #960. The U.S. News & World Report rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public, charter and magnet schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/search?state-urlname=arizona&ranked=true (April 2022)

Tucson Ranked Among Healthiest Cities

WalletHub put together a panel of experts to analyze which of the most populated U.S. cities are doing the best job of keeping their residents healthy and happy. Each city was examined for healthcare, fitness and access to green space. Tucson made the list at #44. https://wallethub.com/edu/healthiest-cities/31072/ (April 2022)

Flagstaff One of 9 Best Places to Buy a Mountain Vacation Home in the U.S.

Travel+Leisure has named Flagstaff, AZ one of the best places to find cool breezes, fresh air, and stunning mountain views galore. Along with its 288 days of sunshine annually, this university town offers many cultural and recreational opportunities, endless outdoor adventures, and proximity to northern Arizona attractions including the Grand Canyon. https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/best-places-to-buy-a-mountain-vacation-home-in-the-us (April 2022)

UArizona Placed Among Top 0.47% of World

The University of Arizona is ranked #93 out of 20,000 global colleges and universities in the annual Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) and Arizona State University is #182. CWUR publishes the only global university performance tables that measure the quality of education and training of students, as well as the prestige of the faculty and the quality of their research, without relying on surveys and university data submissions. https://cwur.org/2022-23.php (April 2022)

2022 Most Diverse Cities in America

The Niche Most Diverse Places ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall diversity of an area. This grade takes into account key indicators of a location’s demographic composition, including the levels of variance in race, age, and income levels among residents. Tucson ranked #96 and Phoenix #58. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/most-diverse-cities/ (March 2022)

Tucson is Ranked a Happiest City

In a recent study, WalletHub drew upon various findings of positive-psychology research to determine which among 150 largest U.S. cities is home to the happiest people in America. Each city was examined on 30 key indicators of happiness ranging from depression rate to income-growth rate to average leisure time spent per day. Tucson ranked #117. https://wallethub.com/edu/happiest-places-to-live/32619/ (March 2022)

Arizona Gains in Solar Power

According to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association latest U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, Arizona ranked 12^th with solar installations in 2021. The forecast is strong for Arizona, which is expected to more than double its solar capacity in the next 5 years, according to the report’s data. https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2021-year-review (March 2022)

Tucson Ranks 7^th for Air Quality

In 2021, the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) ranked 7^th out of the 12 MSAs in the percentage of good air quality days. Tucson air quality was rated “good” 39.2% of the time. Tucson had 96.2% of days classified as good or moderate, 3.6 % ranked unhealthy for sensitive groups and .2% very unhealthy. https://mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/quality-place/air-quality (February 2022)

Most Neighborly Cities in the U.S.

Naturally, community friendliness differs, and some places do much better than others in cultivating strong neighborly connections. Storage Café surveyed close to 11,000 people from across the U.S. to create a ranking of the most neighborly cities. The survey took into account satisfaction with neighbors, sense of community, involvement in community activities, and willingness to recommend the neighborhood to others. Tucson ranked #14 and Phoenix ranked #12. https://azbigmedia.com/lifestyle/phoenix-ranks-no-12-among-most-neighborly-cities-in-the-u-s/ (February 2022)

UArizona Producer of Fulbright Awards

The University of Arizona is once again listed for producing Fulbright winners for 2021-2022 according to the Institute of International Education. UArizona has 5 student awards and 2 faculty awards in the U.S. Government’s flagship international educational exchange program. https://topproducing.fulbrightonline.org/top-producing-institutions-by-year?filter%5Bproducing_type%5D=Student&filter%5Byear%5D=2019-2020&filter%5Btype%5D=PhD (February 2022)

Best Cities for an Active Lifestyle

WalletHub ranked the 100 most populated cities in the U.S. based on how well they accommodate or encourage an active lifestyle and Tucson ranked #17. They analyzed 24 key metrics, ranging from the average monthly fitness club fee to the number of sports clubs per capita. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-cities-for-an-active-lifestyle/8817/ (January 2022)

Dwellics Best 100 Cities

Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde, Oro Valley, Marana, Vail and other Arizona cities have made Dwellics Best Cities list for Raising a Family in the West and Working Remotely. When determining best cities, Dwellics analyzed over 50,000 U.S. cities. Ranking factors included quality of education, community, climate, infrastructure, safety, and finances. Catalina Foothills ranked #4 for Raising a Family in the West and #2 for working remotely. Other cities for Raising a Family in the West included: Vail (2), Oro Valley (21), Queen Creek (1), Chandler (3), Gilbert (6) and Scottsdale (48). Other cities for Working Remotely included: Tanque Verde (10), Marana (36), Tempe (9), Goodyear (12), Chandler (14), Queen Creek (16), Gilbert (27) and Phoenix (35). https://dwellics.com/rankings/best-cities-raise-family-west-2022 (January 2022)

Arizona Ranks as a Top Moving Destination

Arizona ranked #3 overall as the top moving destination for retirement in 2021, according to an annual study by United Van Lines. Last year, 54.1% of all Arizona moves were inbound compared to 45.9% that were outbound, a balanced overall migration. https://www.unitedvanlines.com/newsroom/movers-study-2020?utm_source=prnewswire.com&utm_medium=press&utm_campaign=National-Movers-Study&utm_content=2019-movers-study (January 2022)

Tops for Finding a Job in 2022

Tucson is ranked at #88 among the top best U.S. cities for finding a new job in 2022 according to WalletHub. To narrow down the best cities for finding a job, WalletHub compared 180 of the most populous US cities based on 26 indicators which ranged from job opportunities to employment growth to monthly average starting salary. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-jobs/2173/ (January 2022)

Top Destinations for Migration

Arizona’s population continues to surge as people move to the state in droves. Many are swapping the West Coast for Arizona, a years-long trend that has only accelerated during the pandemic. Phoenix welcomes 200 new residents each day as renters search for affordability. According to U-Haul data, Arizona is in the top five states to move to, based on migration stats compiled from more than two million customer transactions. https://azbigmedia.com/business/migration-snapshot-heres-how-many-people-are-moving-to-arizona/ (January 2022)

UArizona and ASU Rank High Among EPA’s Largest Green Power Users in the U.S.

Arizona State University has been ranked #2 and The University of Arizona #10 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 30 College & University list of the largest green power users from the EPA’s Green Power Partnership – a voluntary program that supports organizations in procuring green power. The university is also No. 90 on the EPA’s Top 100 list of the largest green power users in the United States. https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/green-power-partnership-top-30-college-university (January 2022)

UArizona Research Again Ranks Among Nation’s Top Public Universities

The National Science Foundation annually ranks more than 900 colleges and universities and is considered the primary source of information on research and development expenditures at U.S. colleges and universities. The University of Arizona was #20 among public institutions and #35 overall – in the top 4% of all U.S. universities. It also retained its #1 ranking in astronomy and astrophysics, is #2 in Hispanic enrollment, and #5 in physical sciences and NASA-funded activity. https://news.arizona.edu/story/uarizona-research-again-ranks-among-nations-top-public-universities?utm_source=uanow&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign= (December 2021)

UArizona Top 50 Online MBA Programs

The Princeton Review has named UArizona’s Eller College of Management (#30) as one of the top 50 Online MBA programs in the nation for online programs. The company chose the schools based on a survey of over 90 business schools offering online programs and used surveys from administers and students attending these schools. https://www.princetonreview.com/business-school-rankings?rankings=top-50-online-mba-programs (December 2021)

Tucson, Eastern Pima County Keep Gold Status as Bike-Friendly Community

For the fourth consecutive time since 2008, the League of American Cyclists has awarded this designation to the region. Tucson is among 35 communities to receive the gold status out of the 497 currently ranked. Only five attained the platinum designation. Rankings are based on factors such as roads with bike facilities, bike education in schools, bike-friendly laws, and how much of an organization’s transportation budget is spent on bicycling. https://biztucson.com/2021/12/10/tucson-eastern-pima-county-keep-gold-status-as-bike-friendly-community/ (December 2021)

Three Arizona Cities Among Most Fun Cities in the U.S.

According to WalletHub, Tucson is #26 among the top 50 U.S. cities named as the Most Fun. In order to be considered “Fun,” WalletHub said the city has to provide a little bit of everything for everyone. The study compared the 150 largest U.S. cities based on 58 key metrics. They range from fitness centers per capita to movie costs to average open hours of breweries. Other Arizona cities making the top 50 list were Tempe, #30 and Scottsdale, #45. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-cities-in-the-us/23455/ (December 2021)

Tucson Top Cities That Care

Some cities are better at taking care of their neighbors than others according to a recent study conducted by WalletHub. Tucson is ranked at #75. WalletHub analysts compared the 100 most populated cities across 26 key metrics to find which have the most caring spirit. The data set ranges from the percentage of sheltered homeless persons to the percentage of income donated to charity, to the number of rehabilitation centers per capita. https://wallethub.com/edu/most-caring-cities/17814/ (December 2021)

Tucson Receives National Running Award

The Road Runners Club of America, the leading distance running organization in the U.S., has named Tucson a Runner Friendly Community (RFC). The award is for the years 2019-2024 and Tucson was also awarded the Outstanding RFC for this time period. This designation highlights the region’s commitment to community infrastructure, business & government support, and community engagement. https://www.rrca.org/our-programs-services/programs/runner-friendly-community/official (November 2021)

Arizona 9^th Tax Friendly State

A recent State-by-State Guide to Taxes released by Kiplinger listed Arizona 9^th on the list of tax-friendly states. The ranking is determined by a state’s tax burden as it relates to areas including income tax, property tax, sales tax and more. https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/state-tax/601612/most-tax-friendly-states-for-middle-class-families (November 2021)

Arizona’s Most Admired Companies of 2021

AZ Business Magazine partnered with BestCompaniesAZ to review more than 200 nominations. Top companies show strong leadership, a commitment to the community, and concern for their employees and customers. Banner Health (2020-2021 recognition) has built on the “Banner Strong” movement with three pillars: Demonstrate Heart, Elevate Team and Inspire Success. https://azbigmedia.com/business/celebratory-crowd-honors-most-admired-companies-of-2021/ (October 2021)

Best Foodie Cities in America

According to WalletHub, several Arizona cities are among the best culinary hotspots in the U.S. Included on the list are: Tucson #45, Tempe #46, Scottsdale #49, Phoenix #63, Mesa #75, Gilbert #79 and Chandler #94. The list includes wallet-friendly cities that cater to diners who prefer to cook at home, explore local flavors or both. In order to determine the best and cheapest local foodie scenes, WalletHub compared 180 U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of foodie-friendliness. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-foodie-cities/7522/ (October 2021)

UArizona College of Nursing Gets Top Marks

As part of its 2022 Best Colleges list, U.S. News & World Report for the first time ranked undergraduate nursing bachelor’s degrees on the Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs list, and the University of Arizona College of Nursing excelled in several categories. Out of 694 schools, the UArizona College of Nursing’s BSN program ranked #23 overall, #16 among public universities and #1 in Arizona. https://biztucson.com/2021/10/07/uarizona-nursing-gets-top-marks-in-inaugural-u-s-news-world-report-ranking/ (October 2021)

UArizona Named 2021 Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution Leader

The University of Arizona is among 35 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) to be recognized as an inaugural Fulbright HSI Leader. The honor recognizes the university’s high level of engagement with the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. https://eca.state.gov/highlight/eca-announces-inaugural-fulbright-hsi-leaders-initiative (October 2021)

AZ Community Ranked for Solar Energy

SolSmart, a new national designation program funded by U.S. Department of Energy SunShot (SPARC) Initiative, recognizes communities that have taken steps to advance solar energy growth. Pima County has received the Gold designation and Oro Valley received Silver designation. https://www.solsmart.org/our-communities/designee-map/ (October 2021)

Top Public High Schools

Niche has named its 2022 Best Public High Schools ranking which is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Some of Arizona’s top ranked schools were: Tucson – Basis Oro Valley #39, Basis Tucson North #58, University High School Tucson #79 and Phoenix – Basis Scottsdale #40, Arcadia High School #95, Basis Phoenix #88, Basis Chandler #104, and Basis Peoria #120. https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-public-high-schools/ (October 2021)

Top Safest Driving States

In a recent study by QuoteWizard, Arizona was ranked as the 9^th safest state in America. The list was determined by compiling data from millions of insurance quotes from QuoteWizard users in Arizona on speeding tickets, accidents, DUIs and other citations in the last year. Then they calculated the rate of incidents across each state. States with the lowest rate are ranked safest. https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/the-best-and-worst-drivers-by-state (October 2021)

UArizona Moves Up in WSJ/THE Best Colleges Rankings

UArizona ranked #131 overall and #33 among public universities in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. The overall ranking is a four-spot improvement over last year and an 86-spot leap from 2019. This is UArizona’s best placement in the six-year history of this ranking. UArizona also ranked #150 in the World University Rankings. https://news.arizona.edu/story/uarizona-moves-wsjthe-best-colleges-rankings (September 2021)

Tucson One of Top 25 Fall Trips in the World

To celebrate Fall, Outside Online compiled a list of destinations that avoid crowds and get you outside – Tucson made the list. Fall may be the best time of all for biking when locals come out of their summer hibernation to host a series of Fall events. Whether an easy ride or a classic epic, the sheer number of road options is the real attraction. https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/destinations/best-fall-trips-in-the-world/ (August 2021)

AZ Ranks 5^th in Nation for GDP Growth

According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arizona’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is up a remarkable 54.3% since 2000. Arizona’s GDP reached a historic high in Q1 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdepietro/2021/08/04/2021-us-states-by-gdp-and-which-states-have-experienced-the-biggest-growth/?sh=5debbac3846c (August 2021)

Tucson Among Most Affordable Large Cities in U.S.

GOBankingRates reviewed the cost of living in the 50 largest U.S. cities, taking into account average prices for rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, and health care. According to GOBankingRates research, it costs in the low $70,000s per year to live comfortably in Tucson. https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/economy/cost-to-live-comfortably-biggest-cities-us/#38 (August 2021)

UArizona Among Top in World Reputation

Times Higher Education has recognized The University of Arizona as top higher-education institution in the world, ranking them as global leaders in research, education and innovation in the 2022 edition of its annual World Reputation Rankings. UArizona ranked #150. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2022/world-ranking#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/stats (August 2021)

Arizona Ranked for Business Success

WalletHub put Arizona at #12 for successful business start-ups. The study compared 50 states across 25 key indicators of start-up success to determine the most fertile places in which to launch and grow and enterprise. Arizona ranked 8 for business environment and 16 for access to resources. https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-start-a-business/36934 (July 2021)

Best Places to lead an Active Lifestyle

Storage Café ranked Tucson 27^th overall. Other Arizona cities include: Chandler 3rd, Scottsdale 4th, Gilbert 15th, Glendale 17th, Mesa 30th and Phoenix 56th They analyzed the 100 largest cities by population based on several key indicators including: venues for exercising, walkability, bike-friendliness, overall health, weather and natural conditions, including park space per capita, air quality index, days with precipitation, beach length and fitness club access and costs, as well as self-storage costs – sports, biking and workout equipment is often kept in storage. https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/best-cities-for-active-lifestyles/ (July 2021)

Tucson Tops in Up-and-Coming Tech Markets

In its 2021 Scoring Tech Talent report, Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) ranked Tucson #9 among 25 up-and-coming U.S. tech markets. The annual report, which analyzes 75 U.S. and Canadian markets on their ability to attract and grow tech talent, noted that Tucson’s total tech growth increased 47% in the past five years while its tech wage growth increased 13% over the same period. Total tech employment in Tucson for 2020 was 15,850 with total wages averaging $85,786. https://biztucson.com/2021/07/15/cbre-tucson-ranks-no-9-among-new-u-s-tech-markets/ (July 2021)

Top Healthiest Employers

The top healthiest Arizona employers include The CORE Institute, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Humana, Sun Health Senior Living, Delta Dental of Arizona, Banner Health, Dignity Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Aetna, Mercy Care Plan, and USAA. Ranking Arizona is based purely on opinion and ranks companies based on how voters answer this simple question: with whom would you recommend doing business? https://azbigmedia.com/business/ranking-arizona-top-10-healthiest-employers-for-2021/ (July 2021)

Ranked in the Top 25 U.S City for GenZ

Tucson ranks 22^nd in the top 25 U.S. cities to attract those born between 1997 and 2012, based on living conditions and job prospects, according to the official magazine of the National Association of Realtors. https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/05/17/top-25-cities-most-likely-to-attract-gen-z (May 2021)

Best Cities to Live

U.S. News analyzed 125 metro area in the U.S. to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. Tucson came in #81 as the Best Place to Live and #116 as the Best Place to Retire. This sprawling metro started small and expanded into the empty space around it drawing new residents with its low cost of living, nationally recognized university and impressive sunsets. https://realestate.usnews.com/places/arizona/tucson (May 2021)

Top Public Golf Courses

Golf Digest’s America’s Greatest Courses 2021 includes The Estancia Club at #72 in Scottsdale, Forest Highlands Golf Club at #125 in Flagstaff, Whisper Rock G.C. at #156 in Scottsdale, and The Stone Canyon Club at #184 in Oro Valley. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/arizona-best-in-state-rankings (May 2021)

Tucson is a Startup Hot Spot

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 420,000 startups accounted for 2.2 million new jobs in 2018. And Tucson ranks as one of the hottest spots in the country for innovation, ranking #41 among U.S. cities with the most startups. https://azbigmedia.com/business/phoenix-ranks-no-7-among-u-s-cities-with-the-most-startups/ (May 2021)

Arizona Medical Centers Earn Top Spots

Banner-University Medical Center South (Tucson), HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical and Banner Ironwood Medical Center (San Tan Valley) have been named to the nation’s 100 Top Hospital list by IBM Watson Health. This national study spotlights the top-performing hospitals in the U.S. based on a balanced scorecard of publicly available clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction metrics and data. The study has been conducted annually since 1993. https://www.ibm.com/products/100-top-hospitals (April 2021)

UArizona Cancer Center and Banner-University Medicine is top Rectal Cancer Program

The colorectal oncology team at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Banner – University Medicine has earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. One of only 20 accredited rectal cancer programs in the nation and the only NAPRC-accredited institution in Arizona, the UArizona Cancer Center and Banner – University Medicine team met the rigorous standards needed to gain the national rectal cancer accreditation. https://biztucson.com/2021/03/15/uarizona-cancer-center-becomes-one-of-20-in-u-s-to-earn-national-rectal-cancer-accreditation/ (March 2021)

Arizona Ranked 4^th Safest State

Expertise.com, a top resource that evaluates and publishes the best local experts, has published a comprehensive report on the safest states, cities, and towns in the U.S. ranking Arizona 4^th as a safe state. The study ranks the safest to most dangerous cities and towns with a population of 10,000 or more. Research experts collected data from the FBI Crime Database and used a detailed methodology to assess each municipality. https://www.expertise.com/research/safest-cities-and-states-2021 (March 2021)

Arizona Restaurants in Top 100 Places to Eat in US

In Yelp’s annual list honoring eateries across the US, four Arizona restaurants made the list of the top places to eat in 2021. Yelp’s list honored eateries that ranked so high on the community opinion review, that they earned the status of “must try this year”. Yelp looked at reviews received by businesses while considering both the ratings and the volume of reviews to determine the list. Restaurants on the list include: Simon’s Hot Dog #5 in Scottsdale, Intentional Food Café and Market #9 in Mesa, Casa Corazon Restaurant #58 in Phoenix, and The Parrish #88 in Tucson. https://blog.yelp.com/2021/02/yelp-community-names-top-100-places-to-eat-in-2021 (February 2021)

Underappreciated City to Move

Tucson ranks among several cities in which people can find “exemplary food scenes, communal green spaces, an undercurrent of creativity, thriving LBGTQ communities and ample nightlife,” according to Thrillist.com, an online media website that focuses on food, drink, travel and entertainment. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/cheapest-cities-to-live-in-under-the-radar (February 2021)

Top Remote-Ready City

Tucson ranks 9th in the Top 10 list of top cities where remote workers could move, based on broadband access, local jobs that can be done at home, affordability, a robust regional economy and quality of life, according to this Livability website that ranks America’s most livable small and mid-sized cities. https://livability.com/topics/education-careers-opportunity/2021-top-10-remote-ready-cities-in-the-us (January 2021)

Pima County #1 for Biggest Gains in Talent Attraction

Pima County made the biggest gains in the country in attracting talent to the region, according to recent analysis from Emsi, an international labor market data company. Emsi’s data crunchers specifically analyzed how existing trends in remote work brought on by the pandemic have affected the ability to attract talent to the region. By using data on population and migration, growth of jobs and skilled workers, regional competitiveness and education attainment, the company created an index that ranked large (100,000+ population), small (5,000-99,999), and micro counties (less than 5,000). Among those large counties, Pima County made the biggest gains in talent attraction, jumping from 546 to 91. That jump of 455 spots comes on the heels of a steady rise since 2016, culminating in Pima County’s leap last year when it climbed 269 spots. https://biztucson.com/2021/01/28/pima-county-makes-biggest-gains-in-u-s-in-talent-attraction/ (January 2021)

ASU and UArizona are Tops for Protecting Free Speech

Arizona State University and UArizona have been ranked as top universities in the country for their policies on free speech and protecting its community’s First Amendment rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) released its annual Spotlight on Speech Codes for 2021, awarding ASU an overall green light rating — the highest metric possible in FIRE’s rating system: green, yellow and red. https://www.thefire.org/resources/spotlight/ (December 2020)

Tucson Among Top Cities for Lowest Cost of Living

Tucson, ranked #4, is a great destination for anyone looking for an affordable desert locale. The average monthly living costs in Tucson are still under $1,500. Move.org researched things like rent prices, utility costs, gas prices, and internet rates in the 75 most populous US cities to learn which are the most affordable. https://www.move.org/lowest-cost-of-living-2020/ (November 2020)

Arizona Companies Ranked as the Fastest Growing

Arizona has seven companies on Deloitte’s annual ranking of the fastest growing public and private technology companies in North America, including four software companies. Tucson-based companies include: Accelerate Diagnostics Inc. #47, Audioeye Inc. #122 and HTG Molecular Diagnostics Inc. #361. Other Arizona companies in the rankings include: Freestar #31 (Phoenix), Iota Communications Inc. #103 (Phoenix), CampusLogic #137 (Chandler), and Centauri Healthcare Solutions #119 (Scottsdale). https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-fast-500-2020-winners-list.pdf (November 2020)

Arizona Top Digital Cities

The Center for Digital Government announced the winners of the 2020 Digital Cities Survey. In its 20^th year, the annual survey recognizes cities using technology to improve citizen’s services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement. The survey honors cities in five population categories. In the 500,000 and more population category, Phoenix is 4^th, Mesa is 5^th. In the 250,000 – 499,999 population category, Chandler is 5^th, Gilbert is 9^th, in the 75,000 – 124,999 Avondale is 6^th and in the up to 75,000 Marana is 9^th. https://www.govtech.com/dc/digital-cities/digital-cities-survey-2020-winners-announced.html (November 2020)

City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Among the Elite

The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation department continues to be among the elite parks and recreation agencies across the country by earning reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for parks and recreation agencies and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management, and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety, and services. https://www.nrpa.org/certification/accreditation/CAPRA/ (November 2020)

UArizona Recognized as Championing Hispanic Higher Education

The University of Arizona has been named the Outstanding Member Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in recognition of the university’s excellence in support of HACU’s mission to champion Hispanic success in higher education. UArizona has been an active HACU member institution for 25 years. In early 2020, the university hosted the HACU Ascending Leaders Forum on campus, an initiative to promote staff diversity in senior leadership positions at colleges and universities. The university has also collaborated with HACU to host several webinars to inform successful Hispanic higher education practices and has been working with HACU to create a research-intensive R1 Hispanic-Serving Institution Consortium. https://www.hacu.net/hacu/default.asp (October 2020)

Arizona Among Best States for Middle Class

The wealth gap between upper- and middle-income families continues to grow, but in some states the middle class is thriving. Arizona is one of them. Personal finance tech company SmartAsset ranked Arizona #16 among the top states for the middle class based on percentage of middle-income households, cost of living, income, homeownership and job growth. https://smartasset.com/mortgage/best-states-for-the-middle-class-2020-edition#q=Best%20States%20for%20the%20Middle%20Class (October 2020)