Promote:
Invest in Arizona
A short guide for companies expanding into Arizona: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Arizona at a glance
PopulationEstimate
7.62 million
The population was 7,623,818 as of July 1, 2025.
Source: Census Bureau, state population estimates, July 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$592.1 billion
GDP was US$592,103.0 million in 2025, in current dollars.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per personEstimate
US$77,665
GDP per person was US$77,664.9 in 2025, in current dollars, computed from BEA's GDP and the Census Bureau's population estimate.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.5%
Real GDP growth was 1.5 percent in 2025, as BEA publishes it.
Source: BEA, GDP by state, 2025 (annual update, September 2026) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Currency and inflation: see the United States at a glance
2. Before you set up
The body that handles foreign investment, Arizona’s limits on foreign ownership, the zones and other rules for investors, as the guide found them.
The Arizona Commerce Authority is the state economic development organization, as SelectUSA lists it.
Source: SelectUSA, state economic development organizations (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Arizona Revised Statutes section 33-443 bars foreign adversary nations and their agents from owning or leasing a substantial interest in Arizona real property, as amended from September 12, 2026.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, section 33-443 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board's 2024 annual report lists 7 foreign-trade zones in Arizona.
Source: Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 2024 annual report (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Senate Bill 1683, in force from September 12, 2026, adds leases, bars antennas and sensors on covered property, and lowers the substantial-interest threshold from 30 to 15 percent.
Source: Arizona Legislature, Laws 2026, Chapter 240 (SB 1683) (opens in a new tab) · as of June 22, 2026
Show 2 more
From January 1, 2027, utilities, telecommunications providers, critical infrastructure owners and government agencies must report to the Attorney General and Corporation Commission leases that may let foreign adversaries install equipment.
Source: Arizona Legislature, Laws 2026, Chapter 240 (SB 1683) (opens in a new tab) · as of June 22, 2026
The Attorney General enforces section 33-443 in superior court, which can order a divestment and a sale by the county board of supervisors.
Source: Arizona Legislature, Laws 2025, Chapter 253 (SB 1082) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 1, 2025
Investment rules across the United States: see Invest in the United States
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Arizona
- Ask the Corporation Commission for authority to transact business if your company is formed elsewhere, or file formation papers there to form an Arizona entity.Arizona Corporation CommissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, section 10-1501 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Apply to the Department of Revenue for an annual transaction privilege tax license before you begin business, and for a municipal license where a city taxes.Arizona Department of RevenueUS$12 for the state license; up to US$50 for a municipal license.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, section 42-5005 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Register to withhold Arizona income tax from wages you pay for work done in the state, and file the returns that section 43-401 and related sections require.Arizona Department of RevenueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, section 43-401 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Check whether you are an employer under the Employment Security Act, then register with the Department of Economic Security for unemployment insurance.Arizona Department of Economic SecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, section 23-613 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Steps that apply across the United States: see Invest in the United States
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with ACC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Meet requirements
State corporate and utility regulator
ACC
Arizona Corporation Commission
Grants foreign corporations authority to transact business, accepts articles of incorporation and organization, and regulates utilities and securities.
Visit ACC (opens in a new tab)Source: Arizona Corporation Commission, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Regional economic development organization
GPEC
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Assists companies exploring Greater Phoenix with site selection and publishes regional industry reports, including 2026 reports on manufacturing and aerospace and defense.
Visit GPEC (opens in a new tab)Source: GPEC, home page, reports of 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Federal small business district office
SBA Arizona District Office
U.S. Small Business Administration Arizona District Office
Runs free monthly clinics on SBA lending and preparing a request for capital, and helps Arizona small businesses with funding programs, counseling and federal contracting certifications.
- Get advice
Regional economic development chamber
Chamber of Southern Arizona
The Chamber of Southern Arizona
Supports business expansion, talent attraction and investment in Tucson and Southern Arizona, and lists regional incentive and assistance programs.
Visit Chamber of Southern Arizona (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Southern Arizona, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Get advice
Border port development authority
GYPA
Greater Yuma Port Authority
Advocates for the San Luis ports of entry with Mexico, publishes the commercial port's crossing hours, and offers industrial land beside the San Luis II commercial port.
Visit GYPA (opens in a new tab)Source: GYPA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Meet requirements
State tax authority
ADOR
Arizona Department of Revenue
Administers and collects state individual and corporate income, sales and withholding taxes, which a company registers for when it sets up in Arizona.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Arizona Chamber
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Advocates for Arizona business policy at the State Capitol, including trade policy, and publishes an annual Business Agenda.
Visit Arizona Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Arizona Chamber, about page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Greater Phoenix Chamber
Lists Greater Phoenix export resources, including the Commercial Service office, the District Export Council and the State Trade Expansion Program.
Visit Greater Phoenix Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Greater Phoenix Chamber, exporting resources (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Regional chamber of commerce
Mesa Chamber
Mesa Chamber of Commerce
Promotes and advocates for Mesa businesses through networking programs, industry committees and business referral groups in the East Valley.
Visit Mesa Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Mesa Chamber, home page, items of 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Reserved sectors
Arizona bars foreign adversary nations and their agents from owning or leasing real property and holding equipment on it, under section 33-443 as amended in 2026.
What to do: Have counsel read section 33-443 and its definitions before you buy, lease or finance Arizona property.
Sources: Arizona Legislature, Laws 2026, Chapter 240 (SB 1683) (opens in a new tab); Arizona Legislature, Laws 2025, Chapter 253 (SB 1082) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
State revenue outlook
The Legislature's FY 2027 baseline projects General Fund revenue of US$18.30 billion, down 0.9 percent from a revised US$18.46 billion in FY 2026.
What to do: Check state budget and tax changes each session before you fix multi-year costs.
Source: JLBC, FY 2027 Baseline, General Fund revenue (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Incentive funding
The Arizona Competes Fund gets a US$500,000 General Fund deposit and a statutory lottery deposit, and at least 30 percent of its money goes to rural and small business grants.
What to do: Confirm current award terms with the Commerce Authority before you count on a grant.
Source: JLBC, FY 2027 Baseline, Arizona Commerce Authority (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Invest in the United States
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the United States with other countriesSet the United States beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
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Promote:Arizona is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.