Arizona’s technology ecosystem is no longer a secret to the rest of the world. It’s front and center on a global stage, and companies and talent are inquiring more and more about opportunities for growth here. The efforts of our state’s economic development groups and technology leaders such as the Arizona Technology Council, our members and the Arizona Commerce Authority have worked hard in the public policy arena to ensure our state stays open for business. In the past year, we have improved education funding, sparked investment and offered more incentives to growing startup companies. Legislation approved to support the technology business community continues to help us build momentum.
Opinion By Steve Zylstra for Arizona Big Media
As more companies open, expand or move their businesses to Arizona, we’re seeing our strongest technology sectors flourish and new sectors arise. Looking forward to the year ahead, I see Arizona technology taking another leap forward. Here are the industries that will get us there:
Additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, continues to be one of our most exciting sectors. Organizations like PADT and Honeywell Aerospace are exploring new ways to develop end-use parts for multiple industries. One of the newest members of our technology community, Nikola, has one of the largest 3D printers in the world at its new research center/headquarters. We’re on the verge of numerous breakthroughs in additive manufacturing for health care. In addition, Arizona State University (ASU) partnered with PADT, Honeywell Aerospace and other companies in 2017 to open the Manufacturing Research and Innovation Hub, the Southwest’s largest additive manufacturing research center. The center boasts $2 million in cutting-edge plastic, polymer and metal 3D printing equipment. This facility will enable Arizona to become the top producer of additive manufacturing talent in the nation.
Main Image caption: Racks of servers in a data center. Image credit: Creative Commons.
Inset image: Steve Zylstra. Image credit: AZ Tech Council
