Calif. renewable energy company opens first U.S. manufacturing center in Phoenix

California-based Power-One, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of power inverters for the renewable energy industry, will open its first North American manufacturing facility in Phoenix.

Power-One is the sixth renewable energy company to move to Greater Phoenix since January because of the state’s landmark Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program. The company is the 12^th to move an operation from California to Arizona in the last two years.

A 150-acre technology park along Chandler’s Price Corridor that will soon be developed for corporate headquarters and bioscience and renewable energy expansions is already piquing the interest of companies. Capital Commercial Investments Inc. of Austin, Texas, will begin renovating an existing 500,000 square foot building at Continuum later this year. Chandler will begin adding roads and infrastructure in the spring.

Phoenix-area employers say they will be stepping up hiring in the fourth quarter. A survey conducted by Manpower Inc., showed an increase in its net employment outlook to 6 percent, the share of local employers that seek to hire more workers minus those that anticipate a decrease. That’s up from 2 percent in the third quarter and a negative 4 percent in fourth-quarter 2009. - Phoenix Business Journal

Arizona's multibillion-dollar aerospace industry is shifting from conventional aircraft to unmanned aerial systems such as Boeing Hummingbird helicopters manufactured in Mesa, according to industry executives and others who are working to strengthen the state's aerospace competitiveness. - The Arizona Republic

Candace Hunter Wiest, president and chief executive of West Valley National Bank, was recently selected as the 2010 Woman of the Year by a group of West Valley businesswomen. The group chose Wiest for her commitment to growing the bank and promotion of West Valley businesses and organizations. | Bank president focuses on small business lending