A Better City For Who? ASK THAT QUESTION HERE IN MESA AZ

Scheduled for May 7, 2018

How Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance Can Benefit All DC Residents

In their new book,

"A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance"

former mayor of Indianapolis Stephen Goldsmith and New York University professor Neil Kleiman describe a new city 'operating system' that emphasizes openness, coordination and collaboration across City Hall agencies and outside institutions. This proactive approach puts citizens in the center of operations by focusing on outcomes and changing the way public employees work.

At this event, Goldsmith, DC Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, and 11th St. Bridge Park director Scott Kratz will talk about the book and discuss how this new framework and the enhanced vibrancy of the city works for underserved, low-income people in DC's rapidly changing neighborhoods, and what better urban governance means for DC communities facing or fearing displacement.

Featuring:
Stephen Goldsmith: Daniel Paul Professor of the Practice of Government, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Brian T. Kenner: Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Washington, DC
Scott Kratz: Director, 11th Street Bridge Park
Courtney R. Snowden: Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, Washington, DC
Jennifer Bradley: Director, Center for Urban Innovation, The Aspen Institute

A Hostile Environment > Show Me Your Papers!

Pie is NOT definitely gray and boring and definitely NOT COMPLIANT

Published on Apr 23, 2018

Pie dissects the government's immigration policy

Kilauea Lava Lake RISING - "Schumann Resonance"

Spike in energy in the ElectroMagnetic Spectrum - lots of things ready to erupt or in full-blown eruption. Yikes!

Published on Apr 23, 2018

April 23, 2018: Kilauea Volcano Lake rising! / Schumann Resonance update. Thanks for watching! https://www.mrmbb333.com

Mesa-Based Tech StartUp Urbix Announces Series A Funding Oversubscribed at $3.5 Million

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urbix Resources Announces Series A Funding Oversubscribed at $3.5 Million

Graphene company’s investment oversubscription means full vision high tech initiatives will move forward

 

 

MESA, ARIZONA, UNITED STATES

April 23, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Phoenix, Arizona, April 23, 2018

Mesa-Arizona-based tech startup Urbix Resources has closed their Series A round of financing with an oversubscribed commitment of $3.5 million (US). In addition to current investors and management, this round included an international investment from a management company based in Mexico.

“It was gratifying to find ourselves in a position where our funding objectives were oversubscribed,”

admits Executive Chairman Nicolas Cuevas.

“This allows us to focus on our main initiatives including the construction of our low-cost/clean tech pilot purification facility and the construction of our proprietary pristine graphene reactor. This leads us to our goal of bringing graphene at a commercial scale to the market at about $1 per gram.”
Urbix has been generating excitement in the investment marketplace with their strong suite of technologies including a proprietary supercapacitor with capabilities exceeding those of all comers and a High Voltage Electrolyte that is currently in testing with BYD Co., the Chinese electric-vehicle maker backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Energy holding company.
“We’re talking about ground-breaking technologies,” says CMO Adam Small. “And the success we’re having in the lab tells me we’re poised to move into a leadership position in all of our fields.”
Part of Urbix’s attraction to investors is the very real income already being generated by sales of graphite drawn by the company’s commercial milling operations outside Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and the graphene and graphene-based products being created in the company’s state-of-the-art lab in Mesa, Arizona. “A big part of the work we’re doing right now is drawing a map for success,” says Vice-Chairman, Anthony J. Parkinson. “These are talented young men with big vision. It’s been my pleasure to guide them and help them make their vision a reality. Closing the Series A puts us all in a position to bring it home.”

CONTACT:

Linda Richards, Urbix Resources pr@grupourbix.com
(805) 459-1550 UrbixResources.com
________________________________________________________________________________
About Urbix Resources:
Urbix Resources creates radical change in the way natural graphite is refined and commercialized, specializing in all aspects of the graphite value chain. It is a premier provider of refined graphite powders, pristine graphene, and specialty graphite products. Urbix’s advanced technology includes environmentally and cost conscious purification methods and significant intellectual property developments in a wide range of applications including proprietary li-ion battery cells, electrolyte, graphene products, cements, and other composites and energy storage materials. Urbix’s state-of-the-art laboratory is located in Mesa, Arizona with commercial milling operations outside Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

CONTACT: Linda Richards
Urbix Resources
8054591550

 

Update On OZones from Phoenix Biz Journal's Brandon Brown

Here's a short snippet that got your MesaZona blogger's attention: " . . To take advantage of the new law, investors need to use an Opportunity Fund to invest in a business or real estate in an Opportunity Zone. But the law did not mention how these funds are established. . . while it is good to start thinking about where they want to invest, what they want to invest in and who they want to invest with, the actual investing can’t start until the U.S. Treasury Department, the federal agency that overlooks the Opportunity Zone program, provides guidance . . ."
It's a well-written and well-organized 'Exclusive" with basic summarized information, some details about the transactional politics behind-the-scenes about how the nominations and qualifications for Opportunity Zones were made in a 90-day timeline, and comments by players in the field like Jordan Rose from The Rose Law Group.
EXCLUSIVE:
Why Phoenix land owners and developers are eager to get started in 'Opportunity Zones'
By Brandon Brown Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal Apr 20, 2018, 10:59am MST
READ THE ENTIRE REPORT > Phoenix Biz Journal Exclusive_________________________________________________________________________________
Readers of this blog might want to note that more seven posts about Opportunity Zones and New Market Tax Credits can be found on this site ...just use the searchbox in the upper left hand corner top.
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To balance your reading of this suggestion, please also take a look at an article by Jon Talton who approaches the topic from a different perspective:
Distressed Arizona
"It's tough all over. Well, not really.
In the latest Distressed Communities report, which digs down to the ZIP Code level nationally, Gilbert ranks as the least distressed among America's 100 largest cities. It has zero distressed ZIP codes and 99 percent of them are considered "prosperous." The report, by the Economic Innovation Group, considers seven metrics to rank areas "distressed," "at risk," mid-tier," "comfortable," and "prosperous." It's become one of the gold-standard reports as America struggles with sharply different economic and social outcomes. . .
Arizona shouldn't be smug, despite the East Valley showing. Mesa ranked 41st and Glendale 82nd. The city of Phoenix came in 76 out of 100 . . The state as a whole had more than 24 percent of its population living in distressed areas, above the national average. . ."
Link > http://www.roguecolumnist.com/rogue_columnist/2018/02/distressed-arizona.html

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Looks like a group of people were more than "eager" to swoop in last year here in 'The Old Donut-Hole' buying up a bundle of sweet deals @ $100/sq.ft. for some under-used commercial properties with 'a historic vibe' in the not-so-vibrant Central Business District that's still moribund almost three years after Valley Metro Light Rail service started. At the opening celebration Mesa Mayor John Giles heralded it as "The Salvation Train" . . . We're still waiting.

Quite a few 'investors' have already jumped into the real estate market here in downtown Mesa throughout last year 2017, some 'making deals' with city officials in Memoranda of Understanding, InterGovernmental Agreements, and other developer agreements that to all representations made off-the-record are fully-funded. . . that's unusual to say the least when it usually takes years.

3 city-owned parcels where parking lots are used as land banks have been approved by the Mesa City Council following unsolicited developer proposals (or so they said) that may or may not involve certain 'incentives' of one kind or another, or some kind of tax relief.
8-10 other commercial properties on Main Street have changed hands to holding companies started by - or at least formed by him as the fall-guy - Bob Worley's Senate campaign manager Kent Lyons, CH Holdings LLC.
That much is on the public record. Other details don't get disclosed.

AZ Senator Bob Worsley, who used to work for the accounting firm Ernst & Young before "getting a calling" to run for election, holds a public office in the Arizona State where he's authored or supported bills and legislation that may benefit him personally outside-of-office as a real estate speculator - media reports say he's gambled $20 million dollars betting on making profits as a not-so-private developer.
He's come under criticism for his own brand of 'Croney-Capitalism' here in Mesa, working with revolving-door ex-U.S. Congressman Matt Salmon who was hired by ASU as VP for Affairs two years ago.
Worsley's plans for a 15-story $130-million dollar development built atop a less-than-one-acre parking lot on Drew Street appears on the cover of a mag produced by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce as a Stakeholders prospectus.

BEA Release: Gross Domestic Product by Industry: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2017

		@BEA_News www.bea.gov
News Release
EMBARGOED UNTIL RELEASE AT8:30 A.M. EDT Thursday, April 19, 2018		BEA 18—18
Gross Domestic Product by Industry: Fourth Quarter and Annual 2017 Durable Goods Manufacturing Led Growth in the Fourth Quarter
For the full release and tables, visit http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/industry/gdpindustry/gdpindnewsrelease.htm  _________________________________________________________________________________________ Durable goods manufacturing; construction; and professional, scientific, and technical services were the leading contributors to the increase in U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2017. According to gross domestic product (GDP) by industry statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, 16 of 22 industry groups contributed to the overall 2.9% increase in real GDP in the fourth quarter. For the durable goods manufacturing industry group, real value added—a measure of an industry’s contribution to GDP—increased 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter, after increasing 7.5 percent in the third quarter. The fourth quarter growth primarily reflected increases in motor vehicles, bodies and trailers, and parts computer and electronic products fabricated metal products. > Construction increased 8.5 percent, after decreasing 1.2 percent. This was the largest increase since the first quarter of 2016. > Professional, scientific, and technical services increased 4.2%, after increasing 2.7% The fourth quarter growth primarily reflected an increase in miscellaneous professional,   scientific, and technical services, which includes accounting and tax preparation services, and scientific research and development services. Other highlights > Finance and insurance decreased 5.7% in the fourth quarter, after increasing 14.7% in the third quarter. The decrease was primarily attributed to a decrease in Federal Reserve banks, credit intermediation, and related activities, as well as a decrease in securities, commodity contracts, and investments. > Information services decreased 0.2%, after increasing 9.0%. This decrease was primarily attributed to broadcasting and telecommunications. >Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting decreased 1.7 % after decreasing 2.4% Gross output by industry Economy-wide, real gross output—principally a measure of an industry’s sales or receipts, which includes sales to final users in the economy (GDP) and sales to other industries (intermediate inputs)—increased 4.7% in the fourth quarter. This reflected increases of 7.8% for the private goods-producing sector 4.1% for the private services-producing sector 1.5% for the government sector. Overall, 18 of 22 industry groups contributed to the increase in real gross output. > Real gross output for construction increased 10.9% in the fourth quarter, after decreasing 5.5%in the third quarter. This was the largest increase since the first quarter of 2016. > Durable goods manufacturing increased 9.0% after increasing 6.8% This industry has increased for six consecutive quarters. > Professional, scientific, and technical services increased 6.1% after decreasing 1.3% 2017 GDP by industry Real GDP increased 2.3% in 2017 (that is, from the 2016 annual level to the 2017 annual level). The private goods- and services-producing sectors, as well as the government sector, contributed to the increase. Growth was widespread, with 20 of 22 industry groups contributing to the increase. Real estate and rental and leasing, health care and social assistance, and durable goods manufacturing were the leading contributors to the increase in real GDP. > For the real estate and rental and leasing industry, real value added increased 1.8% in 2017, after increasing 2.4 percent in 2016. This was the eighth consecutive annual increase. > Health care and social assistance increased 3.0% after increasing 2.4% primarily reflecting an increase in ambulatory health care services. > Durable goods manufacturing, which includes computer and electronic products, machinery, and fabricated metal products, increased 3.4% after decreasing 0.2%. This was the largest increase in durable goods manufacturing since 2011. Next release — July 20, 2018 at 8:30 A.M. EDT for: Gross Domestic Product by Industry: First Quarter 2018 ### Technical Contact Thomas Howells (301) 278-9586 industryeconomicaccounts@bea.gov Edward Morgan (301) 278-9541   Media Contact Jeannine Aversa (301) 278-9003 jeannine.aversa@bea.gov Thomas Dail   thomas.dail@bea.gov twitter.com/BEA_News blog.bea.gov www.bea.gov/_subscribe _________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY: Ozone, Ozone + More Ozone!

OK, Who's getting really outraged ??
Phoenix and Maricopa County are REPEAT OFFENDERS Year after year after year
> among the most Polluted in the U.S.
> #8. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 
Where's the Leadership for Clean Air here in The Valley of The Sun? 

Pollution places sufferers at risk for premature death and other serious conditions including lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage and developmental and reproductive risks.
About 133 million Americans — just more than four out of 10 — live with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the group of lung health advocates that finds itself lobbying Congress and the Trump administration’s EPA to maintain the Clean Air Act.
Lung Association president and CEO Harold Wimmer placed blame on rising long-run temperatures due to climate change. Smog forms on warm, sunny days and is made worse by the chemicals from vehicle exhaust and from power plant and industrial smokestacks. Warmer temperatures make ozone more likely to form.

Pollution places sufferers at risk for premature death and other serious conditions including lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage and developmental and reproductive risks.

Source: MarketWatch

                      

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Ozone High Pollution Advisories are also possible Wednesday through Friday
This HPA is due to levels expected to exceed the federal health standard for ozone!

Ozone Air Pollutant The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for ozone in Maricopa County, effective April 24, 2018. This HPA is due to levels expected to exceed the federal health standard for ozone (HPA) for ozone in Maricopa County, effective April 24, 2018. This HPA is due to levels expected to exceed the federal health standard for ozone Phoenix Forecast Air Quality UPDATED: Mon. Apr 23, 2018 8:56 AM This report is updated Monday through Friday and is valid for areas within and bordering Phoenix, Arizona Today | Monday 4/23/2018 108 Ozone Health Statement:Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Tomorrow | Tuesday 4/24/2018 112 Ozone Health Statement:Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Extended | Wednesday 4/25/2018 115 Ozone Health Statement:Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Extended | Thursday 4/26/2018 105 Ozone Health Statement:Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Extended | Friday 4/27/2018 101 Ozone Health Statement:Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Air Pollutant Breakdown Pollutant Yesterday 4/22/2018 Monday 4/23/2018 Tuesday 4/24/2018 Wednesday 4/25/2018 Thursday 4/26/2018 Friday 4/27/2018 O3 97 108 112 115 105 101 CO 11 14 13 14 14 13 PM10 39 60 61 63 64 65 PM2.5 42 45 43 42 42 40 O3 = Ozone, CO = Carbon Monoxide, PM10 = Particles 10 microns and smaller, PM2.5 = Particles smaller than 2.5 microns Synopsis & Discussion Forecaster: -M. PaceOzone, ozone, and more ozone. That will be the primary air quality storyline this week as the pattern is right for increased levels of ozone. High pressure is setting up over the Western United States, and that is going to mean a few things for most of this week: warm temperatures (in the mid/upper 90's), calm winds and sunny skies with just a few clouds from time-to-time. These are prime conditions for ozone production each day during the late morning/afternoon hours. As a result, an Ozone High Pollution Advisory is in effect today and tomorrow. With the pattern not forecast to change much this week, Ozone High Pollution Advisories are also possible Wednesday through Friday; however, we will be watching trends closely over the next several days. And remember, ozone is invisible so the air will likely look cleaner compared to when we have exceeding levels of dust and smoke, but air quality will still be above the ozone federal health standard this week. To learn more about ozone (what it is, how it impacts your health and what you can do to help prevent ozone formation) click HERE. While stagnation can lead to a build-up of dust (PM-10), the warm afternoon temperatures will allow for much of that dust to rise/disperse during the late morning and afternoon hours meaning it will not be a major concern at this point. However, each day forecasting PM-10 to rise in the Moderate AQI category. Overall, expect a warm week with ozone high pollution advisories possible the entire forecast period. Useful Links - Subcribe to the Forecast - Yesterday's Monitor Data - Year-to-Date Reports - Maricopa County Air Monitoring Site - Read current issue of "Cracking the AQ Code"    Main Office 1110 W.Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 P: 602.771.2300 azdeq.gov