by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 19, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona businesses are taking on some of the nation’s largest loans, according to a new study that analyzed Small Business Administration (SBA) lending data from 2021 through 2024.
The report, compiled by Fleysher Law Bankruptcy & Debt Attorneys, found that companies in Arizona borrowed an average of $699,343 per loan, placing the state sixth highest nationwide. In total, 5,293 SBA loans worth more than $3.7 billion were approved in Arizona during the study period.
Georgia topped the list, with businesses borrowing an average of $795,216 per loan across 8,099 approvals, amounting to $6.4 billion. Texas and California followed, averaging $770,887 and $765,968 per loan respectively. California led all states in both total approvals (31,610) and overall loan value ($24.2 billion).
Other high-borrowing states included Alaska ($725,285), North Carolina ($722,981), Louisiana ($663,950), Nevada ($647,991), Alabama ($637,609), and Utah ($630,412). Maine ranked lowest, with businesses averaging just $272,290 per loan.
The study highlights wide regional differences in borrowing patterns, particularly with Southern states recording higher average loans. Analysts note that while large loans may suggest increased financial obligations, they are often a sign of investment rather than distress.
“This data shows clear differences in how businesses across the country access financing,” a spokesperson from Fleysher Law said. “Though large loans mean that the company needs money, it doesn’t automatically signal financial trouble. Many businesses borrow for working capital, equipment purchases, or product development.”
The report reviewed three types of SBA loans:
- 7(a) Loans, which provide flexible funding for a variety of business needs.
- 504 Loans, designed for fixed assets such as real estate, buildings, or large equipment.
- Microloans, offering up to $50,000 for smaller businesses or startups.
The findings underscore how companies across the U.S. are leveraging federal loan programs to finance operations and growth. With economic pressures continuing, access to capital remains a critical factor in business sustainability.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 18, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Pittsburgh-based autonomous trucking company Aurora Innovation Inc. has officially opened a terminal in Phoenix, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to expand its commercial footprint beyond Texas.
The newly operational site supports driverless freight runs, including nighttime operations, and is part of Aurora’s strategy to scale its autonomous vehicle network across the southwestern United States. The company confirmed that the Phoenix terminal opened in June and is already servicing commercial routes for two of its key partners: Hirschbach Motor Lines and Werner Enterprises.
This development follows Aurora’s earlier announcement, reported last fall, that it would extend its existing autonomous freight corridor — which previously connected Fort Worth and El Paso — to include Phoenix. The move marks Aurora’s first expansion outside of Texas and signals growing confidence in its driverless trucking technology.
While Aurora declined to provide the terminal’s exact location, a company spokesperson said it is situated a few miles from the Loop 202 and Interstate 10 interchange in Phoenix — a strategic logistics hub for commercial transport. Details on staffing at the terminal, including how many employees are currently working on site or whether they are permanently based in Arizona, were not disclosed.
The expansion comes as Aurora and its competitors in the self-driving freight sector race to commercialize their technology at scale. With rising demand for long-haul freight solutions and persistent driver shortages, autonomous trucking is increasingly being positioned as a critical innovation in the logistics industry.
Aurora has not yet announced additional expansion locations, but its continued growth outside of Texas suggests a broader national rollout may be on the horizon.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 17, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Main Street confidence ticked upward in July, with the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rising 1.7 points to 100.3, edging above its long-term average for the first time in months. The lift was driven largely by more owners reporting better business conditions and viewing it as a good time to expand.
The latest figures, however, paint a mixed picture. While sentiment improved, NFIB’s Uncertainty Index climbed eight points to 97, and labor quality has re-emerged as the top challenge, cited by 21% of owners, the highest share since early spring.
Survey results show growing confidence in day-to-day operations. Thirteen percent of owners rated their business health as “excellent,” up five points from June, and 52% said it was “good,” up three points. Reports of “fair” or “poor” conditions declined. Owners’ outlook on the economy also improved: the net share expecting better business conditions jumped 14 points to 36%, well above historical norms. Sixteen percent said it is a good time to expand, up from 11% last month.
Even with the improved outlook, sales remain a point of concern. Eleven percent named poor sales as their most pressing problem — the highest since February 2021. Inflation worries held steady at 11%, the lowest level since September 2021, though 28% plan to raise prices in the months ahead, a sign that cost pressures persist.
Worker shortages remain acute. Thirty-three percent of owners reported job openings they could not fill, the lowest since December 2020 but still well above average. Of those hiring, 84% said they had few or no qualified applicants. Plans to boost pay are cooling: 27% reported raising compensation in July, down six points, and 17% plan to do so in the next three months. Labor costs were named the top concern by 9% of respondents.
Capital investment showed modest improvement. Fifty-five percent of owners reported spending in the past six months, with the largest share buying new equipment. Still, plans for future capital outlays remain below long-term averages. Borrowing conditions are relatively stable, with only 4% saying their last loan was harder to get. Interest rate concerns remain low, though 25% of owners borrow regularly — a historically small share.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 16, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona Senate Health & Human Services Committee will hold a special hearing on Medicaid fraud this coming Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Arizona State Senate, following weeks of mounting concern over waste and abuse in the state’s healthcare system.
Committee Chairwoman Carine Werner (R-LD4) will lead the session, which will examine allegations of systemic fraud within the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Reports have tied the abuse largely to Residential Treatment Facilities—often called “sober living homes”—where patients were allegedly exploited in schemes designed to maximize profits rather than provide care.
One of the most prominent cases involves Farukh Jara Ali, the Pakistan-based owner of ProMD, who was indicted for submitting more than $650 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims. Investigators allege that some facilities bribed individuals to attend certain programs, then billed Medicaid for unnecessary—or entirely unprovided—services.
“This isn’t just about money,” Werner said. “It’s about ensuring our healthcare system isn’t exploited at the expense of people who truly need help.”
Arizona was among several states targeted in a recent nationwide healthcare fraud “takedown” that led to charges against more than 300 individuals. The estimated loss to Arizona alone exceeds $650 million.
The Aug. 18 hearing will bring together lawmakers, health officials, and other stakeholders to review the breakdowns that allowed the fraud to occur and consider policy reforms aimed at tightening oversight and accountability within AHCCCS. The session is open to the public.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Scottsdale residents attending Monday’s City Council work study session will encounter a new layer of security at City Hall, the first council meeting since the summer recess.
The changes, implemented in July, require all visitors to pass through walk-through metal detectors or handheld screening devices, and have their bags checked at designated entry points. Signage directs guests to approved entrances and exits, where security personnel are stationed to assist and conduct screenings.
The security upgrades mirror measures rolled out earlier at Scottsdale’s One Civic Center, part of an effort city officials say is designed to enhance safety for employees, residents, and other visitors.
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 13-3102 A), weapons are prohibited inside City Hall. A secure lockbox is available at the entrance for the temporary storage of legal weapons.
City officials chose the summer for the rollout to coincide with a typically lighter meeting schedule, giving visitors and staff time to adjust before busier months ahead. Monday’s meeting will focus on WestWorld-related matters, but for those planning to attend, the city advises arriving early to allow extra time for the new security process.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
