Blog

B3 Strategies Strives to Help Re-Open Eagar, AZ Mill

PHOENIX, Ariz. (October 6, 2014) – In late August, a mill in Eagar, AZ was forced to temporarily close its doors due to a lack of materials.  The mill, owned by Vaagen Brother’s Lumber headquartered in Colville, Washington, opened in 2012. Vaagen Brother’s Lumber owns a number of mills throughout Northeast Washington State and Canada. The mill in Eagar, AZ is their first location in the Southwest. “We’ve worked with the Vaagen Brother’s Lumber for two Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

The Dying Gasp of the Forest Products Industry

In Eagar, AZ there is a mill. It’s a small mill, with 18 full time jobs. It is supported by around 30-40 logging jobs. About 25 truckloads of logs go through the mill each shift, creating 10 loads of lumber, 10 loads of chips, and 1.5 loads of bark. On Friday, August 26, 2014, this mill closed its doors – temporarily shutting down because of a lack of logs. While 18 jobs may not sound Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

Closure of Mill Threatens the Health of the Growing Forest Products Industry

PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 11, 2014) – In towns like Eagar, AZ every job counts. With the closure of the Four Corners Forest Products in mid-August, more members of the small community will be facing unemployment. “It’s frustrating,” said Kurtis Vaagen, owner of the mill. “We’ve been working hard to help improve the health of Arizona’s forests. The bureaucracy of the Forest Service not only prevents us from helping the forests, but has put our hard Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

The Power of PACs

Recently, Russell Smoldon was featured in an article in In Business discussing the power of political action committees (PACs). “Being able to be involved in the political process through a political action committee is unbelievable when it comes to your ability to impact public policy,” said Russell Smoldon, CEO of B3 Strategies. Read the full article here. PACs have many advantages, but probably the most important is access. They allow citizens to join together and become Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

The Number One Way to Save Over $2 Million on an Arizona Data Center

By Russell Smoldon In 2013, the Arizona Legislature established a tax incentive program directed towards Computer Data Centers. Owners, operators, and qualified co-location tenants of a CDC may be eligible to receive exemptions. Only a few qualified candidates are taking advantage of this opportunity. If someone you know is an owner, operator or a co-location tenant of a CDC, please consider forwarding this information to them. The goal of this program is to encourage and Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

Smoldon Says Forest Health Management is Cheaper than Fighting Forest Fires

We payed tribute to the 19 brave Granite Mountain Hotshots this week, and firefighters are optimistic about the San Juan Fire. However, dry summer weather conditions and overgrown forests are still a concern this fire season. In early May, Governor Brewer signed HB2343, now called forest health management, to drastically reduce Arizona’s forest fires and protect our firefighters and national forests. Recently, B3 Strategies CEO Russell Smoldon spoke with KTAR reporter Cooper Rummell about how forest health Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

Client News: Phoenix Children’s Hospital adds inpatient unit in Mercy Gilbert Medical Center

“Phoenix Children’s Hospital plans to open a pediatric inpatient unit within Dignity Health’s Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in October. The 22-bed unit will offer around-the-clock pediatric coverage staffed by PCH hospitalists for children requiring observation or inpatient care. More complex cases will be referred to PCH’s main Phoenix campus.” Read the full article written by Angela Gonzales, Senior Reporter at the Phoenix Business Journal, here.

By Emily Rice, ago

Russell D. Smoldon Honored By Greater Phoenix Urban League

Smoldon to receive the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award PHOENIX, Ariz. (May 8, 2014) – Russell D. Smoldon, CEO of B3 Strategies, will be honored by the Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL) during its 50th Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner. The awards recognize individuals and corporations who have exhibited genuine concern for the community in promoting and celebrating diversity, racial harmony, and social and economic equality. “We are proud to recognize Russell for Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago

News Release – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer Signs HB2078, Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2014   Arizona Governor Signs HB2078, Fair Access to Cancer Treatment Bill, Enacting Cost-Parity for Oral Anticancer Treatments PHOENIX, 5/1/14 – Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed House Bill 2078 into law Wednesday, making Arizona the 32nd state in the United States to have cost-parity for oral anticancer drugs. Beginning January 1, 2016, HB2078, sponsored by Representative Heather Carter (LD15), requires health insurance companies with plans that cover intravenous (IV) anticancer Read more…

By Emily Rice, ago