Category: Economic Development

While COVID-19 made for a challenging year, Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) turned it into an opportunity to grow Arizona’s economic resiliency. AAED offered several new virtual programs with help from committees and volunteer leadership. Without travel constraints, AAED members statewide attended more than 26 virtual events, totaling more than 130 hours of networking time.

Among the new programs were Economic Development 101, an Arizona-focused overview of economic development for elected officials; Roadtrip AZ, a virtual road trip to some of Arizona’s rural and urban communities; and Member InFocus, introducing attendees to economic development practitioners in the state.

– Meg Zemlicka, Arizona Association for Economic Development

Due to the density and diversity of resources downtowns offer, they weather economic hardships better than any other area in a community. AZDowntowns is a collaboration of cities and towns of all sizes, Business Improvement Districts, nonprofit organizations, small businesses and individuals across the state that are committed to revitalizing downtown areas.

The organization holds monthly meetings to share best practices pressing to downtowns, main streets and urban environments. Amid the pandemic, the frequency of meetings has increased to provide statewide support including hosting a restaurant reopening webinar. Membership is free to anyone passionate about growing their local downtown areas.

– Amanda Elliott, Town of Gilbert

Colorado City, Ariz. and the surrounding communities have been growing this year. Those who call it home are embracing the pioneering spirit. These small communities are sheltered by the timeless, majestic red sandstone cliffs. The beauty of the area brings peace and tranquility to its residents and visitors alike.

Colorado City borders Zions National Park near the Grand Canyon’s northern rim and is known for its picturesque views.

Several new businesses in the retail, commercial and tourism industry have opened this year. As the area continues to grow, plans to expand the tourism sector will bring hundreds of new jobs.

– Tami Ursenbach, Mohave County Economic Development

Helping remove obstacles. Facilitating connections. Empowering startups. These are just a few of the ways the Town of Sahuarita’s BizLaunch program fosters an ecosystem where startups can thrive.

Three local startups, ATG, Sylvan Source and DesertDx, were chosen to participate in the University of Arizona Center for Innovation’s (UACI) incubation program for six months, fully sponsored. The startups gained access to resources, facilities and expert guidance to build valuable companies and technical prowess.

During the pandemic, Sylvan Source took advantage of the resources offered through UACI’s incubation program and was selected as a 2020 AIC awardee, winning $150,000 in grants.

– Andrea Caicedo, Town of Sahuarita Economic Development

The City of Prescott, Ariz. has recently welcomed two great additions to our growing business ecosystem.

Combat Proven Technologies is building a state-of-the-art headquarters and manufacturing facility here. The technology and aerospace defense contractor will bring more than 100 quality jobs to the area and is scheduled to open early 2021.

Also, the Hilton Garden opens this month with 101 guest rooms, a locally curated restaurant, meeting rooms and a 5,000-square-foot banquet facility in a historic warehouse building. The project has spurred revitalization along the Granite Creek corridor and represents the first new rooms in the market in over a decade.

– John Heiney, City of Prescott

To keep businesses thriving amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Mesa is thinking ‘inside the box.’

The Made on Main Street Box was founded by community members Nancy Le and Heather Smith to help local merchants remain virtually engaged and offer curated subscription boxes with merchandise from assorted downtown businesses. All funds raised go back into supporting the businesses in the community.

There are 21 independent merchants participating, providing boxes like “Expresso Yourself” and “It’s a Brew-tea-ful Day” filled with locally made coffees, teas and mugs. This month’s limited-edition box is dedicated to thanking our essential workers including teachers.

– Tracy Schey, Downtown Mesa

Although Page, Ariz. is considered rural, the city had more than 4 million visitors from across the globe last year alone. The reality of 2020 forced businesses to pivot but ended up serving as a catalyst for even the most siloed and busiest organizations to meet and collaborate, something that the city was struggling with.

Amidst the pandemic, the City of Page has had major wins with fiber (broadband) expansions, a record-breaking lake season on Lake Powell, enhanced daily commercial airline services to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and being the feature of YouTube’s most live-streamed video ever, starring David Blaine.

– Tim Suan, City of Page

The Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation recently formed Aerospace Arizona to act as a conduit to promote, advance and support the state’s aerospace industry — which is currently ranked fifth in the country.

To improve this ranking, the organization represents its members and informs them on legislative, regulatory, safety and technical issues. It also serves as a proactive advocate for the enactment of responsible legislation and public policy that promotes the economically viable and environmentally responsible development of the aerospace industry throughout the entire state. In line with that mission, Aerospace Arizona also operates an unmanned test site in Benson, Ariz.

– Mignonne Hollis, Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation

As a rural city in northeastern Arizona, St. Johns has turned to creative thinking to remain resilient in economic development during these challenging times.

Housing remains a top priority, as the city has recently partnered with an international architecture firm to bring new and affordable housing options to the growing city. Economic developers have been focusing on recruiting manufacturing companies, which has brought in hundreds of jobs.

To support the growing area, the city is currently building a broadband WISP that will support this future growth, which is required to sustain and scale St. Johns in future for years to come.

– Chris Chiesl, City of St. Johns

Nanomoneo, a biotechnology instrument company, has selected the University of Arizona Center for Innovation for its new applied research operation.

The newly formed, venture capital-backed company is working on solutions that allow consumers to “see” things that are not normally visible with the naked eye. The company plans to hire 14 people over the next five years, including research scientists, engineers and research support. The total economic impact is estimated at $17 million.

The UA Center for Innovation provides both space and incubation programs for scalable science and technology startups to develop their technology and business and scale operations quickly.

– Arizona Commerce Authority reports