COURTNEYES COURTNEY LEVINUS KRISJACOBER KRIS JACOBER.

>>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOFF, LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS.

ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," RENTAL PRICES IN THE VALLEY ARE MAKING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ON CRONKITE NEWS, ASU TEAMS UP WITH NASA ON ITSMATION TO-- MISSION TO MARS.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEEING AND HAVING VISION.

IT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TEDSIMONS.

THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE TODAY COMPLETED WORK ON THE STATE BUDGET AS ALL 11 SPENDING BILLS WERE PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOLFER.

LAWMAKERS HAD UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO GET IT DONE.

ONE OF THE STICKS POINTS WAS AN EXPANSION OF THER STATE SCHOOL VOUCHER TAM.

-- SYSTEM.

IT DID NOT EXPAND ELIGIBILITY BUT SERVICES.

LIMITING WHAT TEACHERS CAN TEACH IN CLASSROOMS.

THIS WAS THE 171ST DAY OF THE SESSION, ONE OF THE LONGEST IN STATE HISTORY.

>>> FIRST LADY JILLBIDEN AND SECOND GENTLEMAN DOUG EMHOFF WERE ENCOURAGING ARIZONANS TO GET A VACCINATION.

THE DAY'S VISIT BY IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE TOUR TO GET MORE AMERICANS VACCINATED.

>>> THE CONTINUED SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT IS CAUSING CONFUSION OVER THE WEARING OF MASKS.

THE W.H.O.

RECOMMENDED WEARING A MASK INDOORS EVEN IF YOU'RE VACCINATED.

BUT THE CDC SAYS THAT WE HAVEN'T REACHED THAT POINT YET IN THE U.S. AND YET ONE COVID EXPERT SAYS THAT WE HAVE HIT THAT POINT WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS.

>> IF YOUR KIDS ARE OLD ENOUGH TO WEAR MASKS, THEN THEY SHOULD WHEN THEY'RE INDOORS.

AT LEAST UNTIL WE CAN GET OUR ARMS AROUND THIS DELTA VARIANT.

THIS REQUIRES PARENTS AND REALLY ANYONE TO HAVE SOME SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF WHAT THEIR REGION LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THEIR STATE LOOKS LIKE, WHAT THEIR COUNTY LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF VACCINATION RATES IN DELTA VARIANTS.

>>> WILDFIRE UPDATE, SOME OF THE BIGGER FIRES ARE SHOWING SLOWER GROWTH DUE TO FAVORABLE WEATHER CONS AND CONTINUED FIRE FIGHTER FIGHTING EFFORTS.

72% CONTAINED.

IT'S BURNED 79,000 ACRES.

THE BACKBONE FIRE WAS THREATENING THE TOWNS OF PINE AND STRAWBERRY.

THAT'S 76 CONTAINED.

IT'S BURNED 41,000 ACRES.

AND THE TELL-- TELEGRAPH FIRES AT 181,000 ACRES.

THAT IS NOW 91% CONTAINED.

>>> ALSO OF NOTE, PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO INCREASE THE WAGES FOR THOSE FIGHTING WILDFIRES.

>> TODAY WE'RE ANNOUNCING WHAT I STILL THINK IS NOT ENOUGH.

THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE A RETENTION INCENTIVES THAT'S GOING TO INSURE FEDERAL WILDLAND FIRES.

OUR 50S ARE MAKING AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR, AND PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 10% BONUSES ON THE FRONT LINES.

BUT A ONE-TIME BOOST IS NOT ENOUGH.

THESE COURAGEOUS WOMEN AND MEN TAKE AN INCREDIBLE RISK OF RUNNING TOWARD THE FIRE AND THEY DESERVE TO BE PAID AND PAID GOOD WAGES.

>> THE PRESIDENT MADE HIS COMMENTS DURING A MEETING WITH WESTERN GOVERNORS TO DISCUSS WILDFIRE AND HEAT CONCERNS.

GOVERNOR GUSSY WAS NOT INVITED-- DUCEY WAS NOT INVITED TO THE MEETING.

THEY DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE GOVERNORS DID NOT RECEIVE AN INVITE.

>>> THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE CONDOMINIUM COLLAPSE IN FLORIDA IS NOW AT 18 WITH AS MANY AS 145 STILL MISSING.

THE LATEST VICTIMS FROM CHILDREN AGED 4 AND 10.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY REMAIN FOCUSED ON CONVERSATIONING FAMILIES-- COMFORTING THE FAMILIES.

>> THIS IS NOT A REGIONAL, STATE, NOT A-- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT-- I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUILDING.

AND THIS IS JIMMY, DON'T FORGET, THERE'S PEOPLE-- THERE'S PEOPLE THAT WERE LIVING THERE THAT THEY MOVED TO THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE AMERICANS.

SO IT CARRIES A LITTLE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ATTACHMENT BECAUSE MIAMI IS SUCH A GREAT WAY TO THE GREATEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO LIVE.

>> SEARCH TEAMS SAY THAT THEY REMOVED MORE THAN THREEMILLION POUNDS OF DEBRIS FROM THE WRECKAGE.

>>> AND COMEDIAN BILL COSBY WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON HOURS AFTER THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT VACATED HIS CONVICTION FOR SALT.

-- SEXUAL ASSAULT.

HE WAS SENTENCED UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRUGGING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A WOMAN AT HIS HOME.

SEVERAL OTHER WOMEN ACCUSED COSBY OF SIMILAR ASSAULTS BUT PENNSYLVANIA'S HIGH COURT TODAY THREW OUT THE CONVICTION, SAYING THAT THE PROSECUTOR IN THE CASE WAS OBLIGED TO STAND BY HIS PREDECESSOR'S PROMISE NOT TO CHARGE COSBY.

THAT PROMISE LED TO COSBY GIVING POTENTIALLY INCRIM SENATING-- INCRIMINATING TESTIMONY IN A CIVIL CASE.

IT WAS CALLED AN AFFRONT TO FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS.

>>> HOME RENTAL PRICES ARE ON THE INCREASE IN ARIZONA.

IS IT A SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND PROBLEM OR SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON?

WITH SPOKE WITH COURTNEY LEVINUS ABOUT HOW PROPERTY OWNERS AND LANDLORDS SEE THE ISSUE.

COURTNEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE TALKING HOME RENTAL PRICES.

THEY ARE THROUGH THE ROOF.

WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE?

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, LET ME TRY TO GIVE YOU I.P.D.

COULD OF THE READER'S-- GIVE YOU KIND OF THE READER'S DIGEST BUT IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PERFECT STORM SOME ARIZONA FOR OWNERS AND RENTERS.

EVEN PRIOR TO COVID WE HAD MASSIVE HOUSING SHORTAGES.

AND MANY FACTORS THAT ARE IMPACTING THIS SHORTAGE.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE THING.

WE'RE SEEING RECORD IN MIGRATION OF RESIDENTS FROM OTHER STATES.

WE'RE SEEING YOUNGER GENERATIONS WAITING LONGER TO BUY HOMES AND FORM FAMILIES.

BUT THEY'RE STAYING IN RENTAL HOUSING LONGER THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.

BABY BOOMERS ARE MOVING BACK INTO RENTAL HOMES AND BECOMING RENTERS BY CHOICE.

WE HAVE UNDERBUILT IN ARIZONA FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES.

I CAN MANY FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT WE'RE NOT KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT REPOSITIONING GOING ON IN THE MARKET.

A LOT OF OLDER RENTAL HOMES AND OLDER COMMUNITIES ARE BEING REHABBED AND UPDATED RESULTING IN HIGHER RATES.

AND RENTS-- LAND PRICES ARE GOING UP.

COVID HAS CERTAINLY EXACERBATED THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE RENTERS THAT ARE PAYING ARE HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE REPRESENTERS THAT ARE NOT PAYING.

AND FOR 17 MONTHS WE'VE BEEN UNDER EVICTION MORATORIUMS.

BASICALLY TURNED PRIVATE HOUSING INTO PUBLIC HOUSING OVERNIGHT WITHOUT THE ADEQUATE COMPENSATION.

THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN SLOW TO DEPLOY.

FINALLY I THINK TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE, AND EVEN ARIZONA REPUBLIC JUST REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT THE PHOENIX MEDIAN HOME PRICE FOR A SINGLE FAMILY HOME HIT A WORD $400-- RECORD $400,000.

AND THAT'S 100,000 SINCE 2020.

IT'S A 25% INCREASE.

SO MANY OF THE FACTORS ARE CAUSING RENTAL HOME PRICES TO ESCALATE.

AND AGAIN, IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

ACCORDING TO-- WE ARE APARTMENTS.ORG, WE NEED TO BUILD ABOUT 1700 UNITS-- THOUSAND UNITS A YEAR TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

AND WE'RE CURRENTLY BUILDING ABOUT 10,000 A YEAR.

SO WE'RE BEHIND THE CURVE AND WE'VE GOT TO CATCH UP.

>> APARTMENTS OR SING-FAMILY-- SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES OR BOTH?

>> THAT'S JUST APARTMENTS.

IT'S PRICE LEVELS.

WE NEED TO BUILD WORKFORCE HOUSING, ATTAINABLE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND NOT JUST THE HIGH-END HOUSING, WHICH IS A LOT OF WHAT'S BEING BUILT DRIVEN BY THE COST OF LAND.

>> I GOTCHA.

YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU THOUGHT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TURNING PRIVATE HOUSING INTO PUBLIC HOUSING.

BY WAY OF THESE FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUMS.

THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE RELIEF FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND RENTERS.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEWHAT BALANCED.

YOU'RE SAYING IT'S NOT BALANCED OFFER WHAT'S FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS HERE?

>> SO WE'RE SAYING THAT IT'S NOT BAD BAP-- BALANCED.

GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTED A VERY EASY PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM.

YOU COULD ACTUALLY MAKE UP TO $99,000 OR $180,000 AS A MARRIED COUPLE AND QUALIFY FOR AN EVICTION MORATORIUM.

BUT YOU CAN ONLY MAKE 80% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME WHICH IS ABOUT 65,000 IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE.

AND THE QUALIFICATION PROCESS FOR ASSISTANCE IS-- IT'S JUST AWFUL.

IT'S A BUREAUCRATIC NIGHTMARE.

AND REPRESENTERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ARE HAVING TO-- REPRESENTERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ARE HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH SO MANY HOOPS.

SO SINCE JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, ARIZONA'S ALLOCATED MORE THAN 880MILLION FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

AND AT THIS POINT THE STATE AND COUNTDOWN-- COUNTIES, ALL OF THE AGENCIES THAT ARE DEPLOYED THE FUNDS, HAVE ONLY DISPERSED ABOUT 6% OR 53MILLION.

IN ARIZONA A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE IS THAT 500MILLION IS OWED IN BACK RENT.

SO WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO COVER IT AT 880MILLION.

BUT WE HAVE TO GET THESE FUNDS DEPLOYED.

AND AGAIN, WE'VE HAD THESE FUNDS SINCE JANUARY.

>> YEAH, IT SOUNDS LIKE-- >> THREEMILLION HAS BEEN DEPLOYED.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A DISTRIBUTION PROBLEM HERE AND IT IF IT'S HAPPENING HERE, IS IT HAPPENING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

HOW DO WE COMPARE?

ARE OUR RENTS SPIKING SIMILAR IN OTHER AREAS OR ARE WE AN OUTLIER?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS.

IT REALLY IS REGIONAL.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THE SUNBELT STATES WHERE EAR GUTTING A HUGE INFLUX OF RESIDENTS.

THOSE RENTS ARE INCREASING.

SOME OF THE COASTAL AREAS WHERE ACTUALLY THERE IS AN EXODUSCH RESIDENTS-- EXODUS OF RESIDENTS, THOSE RATES ARE STAYING RELATIVELY FLAT AND ON THE WEST COAST OF CALIFORNIA THEY'RE SEEING SOME RENT BEING REDUCED.

AGAIN, I MEAN, IT SOUNDS SIMPLE BUT IT'S NOT.

BUT IT'S A SUPPLY AND NAND ISSUE.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A SUPPLY AND DEMAND AND THEN SOME.

COURTNEY LEVINUS, ARIZONA MULTI-HOUSING ASSOCIATION, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>>> AND UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," GETTING SIM LUS MONEY TO YOUNG PEOPLE-- STIMULUS MONEY TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE.

>>> ARIZONA'S DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING STIMULUS MONEY TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WERE FORMERLY IN THE FOSTER CARE CARE SYSTEM.

THE FOUNDATION HAS CREATED AN ONLINE PORTAL TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS.

THE FOUNDATION'S KRISJACOBER TELLS US MORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AGAIN KIDS IN FOSTER CARE AND THE COVID RELIEF FUNDS.

WE UNDERSTAND THE STATES RECEIVED UPWARDS OF $10MILLION.

BUT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF THIS MONEY ISN'T GETTING OUT TO ITS INTENDED BEN FIBBERIES.

WHAT'S-- BENEFICIARIES.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> SO, YEAH.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS GOING ON, TED.

ONE IS IT'S INTENDED-- ITS INTENDED BENEFICIARIES ARE OFTEN VERY HARD TO FIND.

SO THERE ARE MANY, MANY KIDS WHO, YOU KNOW, THE TOP LIMIT FOR THIS IS 26 YEARS OLD AND AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE.

MANY, MANY KIDS IN THAT GROUP PACKED THEIR STUFF ON MIDNIGHT OF THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY AND DISAPPEARED AND THEY ARE VERY, VERY HARD TO FIND.

BUT YOU KNOW, NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

SO PART OF IT IS THAT THE YOUTH THAT WE'RE TRYING TO REACH ARE HARD TO FIND.

AND PART OF IT IS THAT IT HAS TAKEN A WHILE TO GET THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS OFF THE GROUND IN A WAY THAT'S MEANINGFUL FOR KIDS AND EASY FOR THEM TO ACCESS.

AND YOU KNOW, REALLY, WE'RE JUST THREE WEEKS INTO OPENING OUR PORTAL TO DISBURSE SOME OF THESE FUNDS AND IT HAS BEEN A TRICKLE OF REQUESTS.

AND YOU KNOW, REALLY NOT THE DELUGING WE WERE HOPING FOR.

>> AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE-- AGAIN, AS FAR AS DCS IS CONCERNED, THEY DID HAVE PROBLEMS.

YOU'RE TRYING TO HELP THE SITUATION.

BUT IF SO MANY PEOPLE WHO COULD BENEFIT DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MESSAGING PROBLEM.

>> YEAH.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S A MESSAGING PROBLEM.

IT MIGHT BE A CREDIBILITY PROBLEM.

SO IF YOU'RE SOMEWHERE AND SOMEBODY SAYS TO YOU, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY WANTS TO HELP YOU AND GIVE YOU MONEY, I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S A TOUGH-- THAT'S A TOUGH MESSAGE.

AND YEAH, WE'RE JUST HOPING TO BUILD SOME MOMENTUM AND BUILD SOME-- YOU KNOW, CRITICAL MASS OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW ABOUT THIS AND ARE IN TOUCH WITH KIDS WHO HAVE PAGED-- AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE WHO COULD BENEFIT AND THEY APPLY AND WE HELP THEM.

>> WHAT CHANGES NOW, SINCE YOU TOOK OVER, OR ARE HELPING.

THEY WERE DOING THIS AND SO MUCH MONEY WAS WAITING TO BE DISTRIBUTED.

YOU'RE NOW IN CHARGE.

ANYTHING CHANGE?

>> SO-- SO WHAT HAS-- SO YOU KNOW, ARIZONA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN, WE HAVE A 38-YEAR HISTORY OF GIVING AWAY MONEY TO HELP KIDS IN FOSTER CARE DO THINGS.

SO WE HAD A DATABASE, A SYSTEM IN PLACE TO APPLY AND-- AND CUT CHECKS.

AND THE DEPARTMENT AT THE BEGINNING, YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT SYSTEM.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AND THAT KNOWLEDGE.

SO TED, WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR A BIG PIECE OF THE PIE.

IF A YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN IS IN EXTENDED FOSTER CARE, THEY CAN GO TO THEIR CASE SPECIALIST TO APPLY FOR THIS FUNDING.

IF A YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN IS IN COLLEGE, THIS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO THE E TV.

THE EDUCATE-- WE HAVE THE BIGGEST PIECE OF THE PIE, BUT IT'S THE HARDEST YOUTH TO REACH BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO AGED OUT AND WALKED AWAY AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE JUST HOPING THE DEPARTMENT HAS A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND WE'RE REACHING OUT TO EVERY CONTACT WE HAVE IN OUR DATABASE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE OR THAT POP-- FOR THAT POPULATION AND THAT IT-- YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD JUST APPLY AND WE'LL WRITE A CHECK.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, ARE YOU TALKING NOW ABOUT DIRECT PAYMENT FOR THOSE WHO APPLY?

BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WAS A BIT OF A CONTROVERSY.

>> WE DIRECT PAY FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

FUNDING FOR HOUSING IS AVAILABLE.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A LEAGUES OR SOME STATEMENT FROM THE LANDLORD OR SOME STATEMENT FROM YOUR ROOM HATE THAT THEY CHARGED YOU $500 A MONTH FOR THE ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU'RE NOT ON THE LEASE.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME DOCUMENTATION FOR THOSE THINGS.

BUT YOU KNOW, THERE'S TUTORING AVAILABLE.

THERE'S DRIVER'S EDUCATION AVAILABLE.

THERE'S HELP WITH MEDICAL BILLS AVAILABLE.

THERE IS HELP FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND ARE PARENTINGS KIDS AVAILABLE.

-- PARENTING LITTLE KIDS AVAILABLE.

THERE ARE ALL KIND OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UP TO $2,000 PER YOUTH TO HELP THEM, YOU KNOW-- IT IS DIFFICULT AT BEST FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE WITH NO SUPPORT.

AND THEN YOU PILED COVID ON TOP OF THAT AND WE ARE JUST REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THESE FUNDS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SOME KIDS' LIVES.

>> FOR SOMEONE WATCHING RIGHT NOW, THAT EITHER KNOWS A KID WHO IS IN FOSTER CARE, FAMILY OF-- A FAMILY OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO WAS IN FOSTER CARE, AND WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> SO OUR WEBSITE, ASFCF.ORG/CAA.

OR YOU KNOW WHAT, TED?

WE'RE HERE ALL DAY LONG ANSWERING THE PHONES.

602-252-9445.

AND YOU KNOW, TO ME, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IN FOSTER CARE MATTERS.

BUT THIS IS SUCH A-- IT'S SUCH A NEW OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A WAY FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE TO GET A BOOST UP.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

MAYBE WE CAN HELP THEM MOVE INTO THEIR FIRST APARTMENT, HELP THEM WITH A UTILITY BILL OR LAPTOP OR WHATEVER.

AND WE JUST WANT TO SEE THIS MONEY YOU KNOW, GO OUT THE DOOR.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S THERE FOR.

GET IT USED.

KRISJACOBER, ARIZONA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOUNDATION, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU KNOW, BACK AT YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME AND I HOPE OUR PHONE RINGS OFF THE HOOK.

♪ ♪ ♪ >>> ARIZONA IS BECOMING A HUB FOR ELECTRIC CAR MAKERS.

THREE START-UP COMPANIES HAVE SET UP SHOP IN THE LAST 16 MONTHS.

WE ASKED SANDRA WATSON OF THE ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY FOR AN UPDATE ON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND WHERE IT'S ALL HEADED.

SANDRA WATSON, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS.

ARIZONA BECOMING A HUB, A MANUFACTURING HUB, IF YOU WILL, FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES!

WHAT DID ALL THIS HAPPEN?

>> WELL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON, TED.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE TALKING ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

ARIZONA HAS BECOME A HOTBED FOR MANUFACTURING, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

JUST IN THE LAST 16 MONTHS, WE'VE HAD THREE VERY SIGNIFICANT GROUND BREAKINGS.

ELECTRIC MECHANICA WHICH WAS IN MAY.

WE ALSO HAD LOU KID MOTORS AND NICHOL LA BOTH IN PINALCOUNTIES.

VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR ARIZONA.

WE'RE SEEING A SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN THIS INDUSTRY AND ARIZONA IS PERFECTLY POISED TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT INDUSTRY GROW.

>> I SEEM TO RECALL WHAT TENNESSEE CAME A HOTBED FOR EXISTING MANUFACTURING COMPANIES.

BUT THEY OPERATIONS TO TENNESSEE.

SOUNDS LIKE HERE IN ARIZONA, THESE ARE START-UPTH, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT-- START-UPS, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THE CONVERGENCE BETWEEN THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY AND THE ALL THE MOTIVE INDUSTRY.

THESE LATEST ARE ADVANCING THE STLI AS WE KNOW IT.

-- HAVE AS WITH ENGIT.

AND ARIZONA-- INDUSTRY AS WE KNOW IT.

AND ARIZONA WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT LEVEL OF GROWTH.

ARIZONA HAS SOME INCREDIBLE ATTRIBUTES THAT WE OFFER TO BUSINESSES IN RELATION TO GROWING THEIR NEW MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AUTO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN DETROIT.

BUT AS YOU START TO SEE THESE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THEY ARE LOOKING AT NEW LOCATIONS AND PAIRING UP WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE MEETING THEIR FUTURE DEMANDS AS WELL AS FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE PROXIMITY TO MEXICO, PROXIMITY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ALL GOOD THINGS?

>> EXCELLENT.

YES.

ARIZONA'S PROXIMITY TO THESE GLOBAL MARKETS IS REALLY A CRITICAL VALUE PROPOSITION FOR THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

MEXICO HAS A VERY ROW BUST SUPPLY CHAIN AS IT RE-- ROBUST SUPPLY CHAIN AS IT RELATES TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AS DOES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

ARIZONA CONTINUES TO GROW OUR SUPPLY CHAIN IN THIS INDUSTRY.

SO COUPLED WITH THE PROXIMITY TO MEXICO AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, IT REALLY DOES GIVE ARIZONA A VERY SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO GROWING THIS MANUFACTURING BASE.

>> TALK MORE ABOUT THAT SUPPLY CHAIN, PAUSE WE GOT THE BIG THREE THAT YOU MENTIONED AS FAR AS START-UPS FOR OFFING THESE THINGS.

BUT YOU-- AS FAR AS MANUFACTURING THESE THINGS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE SATELLITES AROUND THE BIG GUYS, DON'T YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE NOT ONLY HAVE A ROBUST SUPPLY CHAIN HERE IN ARIZONA.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN VERY STRONG IN AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE AND THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY.

SO SUPPLIERS WILL SUPPLY TO MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES.

WE ALSO HAVE SEEN GREAT SUCCESS IN ADDING NEW SUPPLIERS.

WE JUST RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A NEW SUPPLIER FOR LUCID AND FLAGSTAFF.

SO UACG WHITEHAUL IS A MANUFACTURER-- OR IS A SUPPLIER FOR LUCID AND THEY ENDED UP LANDING IN FLAGSTAFF.

ARIZONA HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER.

WE'VE SEEN SUPPLIERS LOOK AT LOCATIONS ALL THROUGHOUT ARIZONA.

SO WE'VE GOT SOME REALLY VERY SIGNIFICANT LARGE MANUFACTURERS LIKE LUCID AND NIKOLA, WHICH IS DRIVING A VERY STRONG ROBUST SUPPLY CHAIN OPPORTUNITY FOR ARIZONA.

>> I NOTICED CASAGRANDE WAS KIND OF A FOCAL POINT.

HOW DID THEY BECOME SUCH A FOCUS FOR THIS EMERGING INDUSTRY?

>> CASAGRANDE AND PINALCOUNTY IN GENERAL HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER MANUFACTURERS.

NUMBER ONE, THEY CAN DRAW A TALENT BASE FROM BOTH METROPOLITAN AREAS.

SO FROM THE GREATER PHOENIX AREA AS WELL AS TUCSON AREA.

THEY'RE PERFECTLY POSITIONED BETWEEN THESE TWO LARGE METRO MARKETS.

THEY HAVE PLENTY OF LAND, WHICH IS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, NECESSARY FOR THESE LARGER AUTO-- AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.

LUCID MOTORS IS AT AMILLION SQUARE FEED CURRENTLY.

NIKOLA IS BUILDING THEIR FACILITY NOW.

SO THE COMBINATION OF TALENT THAT THEY CAN DRAW FROM, THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS CRITICAL TO GROWING THIS INDUSTRY, MODERN TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, AS WELL AS THE ENERGY REQUIRED FOR THESE FACILITIES.

SO NOT ONLY DOES PINALCOUNTY AND THE CASAGRANDE AREA HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE.

ARIZONA IS PERFECTLY POSITIONED TO COMPETE FOR THESE PROJECTS IN THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE.

>> AND HOW LONG BEFORE THESE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES, THEY'RE UP, THEY'RE OPERATIONAL, THEY'RE SENDING OUT CARS LIKE YOU KNOW-- NO ONE'S BUSINESS HERE.

WHAT KIND OF TIMETABLE?

>> LUCID'S FACILITY IS COMPLETE AND THEY'RE ALREADY STARTING TO PRODUCE VEHICLES.

NICHOLI IS UP AND RUNNING AND THEY-- THEY'RE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SO THEY SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

ELECTRIC MECHANICA AS YOU KNOW IS A VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY HERE.

AND THEY LANDED IN MESA.

THEY WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTING THEIR ASSEMBLY FACILITY AND THEY WILLABLE MANUFACTURING-- OR ASSEMBLING VEHICLES VERY SOON.

>> LAST QUESTION, SANDRA, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME ON THIS.

THIS IS VERY ENCOURAGING AS FAR AS THIS EMERGING INDUSTRY.

IS ARIZONAE, THOUGH, READY, TO BE AN EARLY ADAPTER TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

IT'S ONE THING WE'RE MAKING ALL THOSE THINGS, AND THAT'S GREAT, BUT SOME OF THOSE WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE THEM, TOO.

HOW LONG ABOUT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS READY?

>> WELL, IT'S HAPPENING NOW, TED.

WE'RE SEEING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHARGING STATIONS ALL OVER THE STATE.

SO ALL OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS BEING DEVELOPED.

WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT ARIZONA IS WE'VE GOT A MODERN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT IS VERY EASY FOR US TO GET THESE OPERATIONS, THESE CHARGING STATIONS, UP AND RUNNING.

AND SO WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY AND WE WILL BE READY.

>> ALL RIGHT!

SANDRA WATSON, ARIZONA COMMERCE AUTHORITY, GOOD CONVERSATION!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

>> THANKS SO MUCH, TED.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.