If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, funding and assistance can be key to growth!

Here are a few grant and assistance programs currently available:

Arizona Commerce Authority – The Arizona Commerce Authority consists of expert business professionals ready to assist new, existing, and relocating businesses who want to streamline processes and navigate channels for faster results.
Arizona Economic Resource Center – The Arizona Economic Resource Center (AZERC) aims to enable eligible Arizona cities, towns, counties, tribal communities and nonprofits to win and implement competitive federal, state, municipal or foundation grants.
An initiative of Local First Arizona, the Arizona Economic Resource Center provides assistance with grants free of charge to qualifying entities.
DreamBuilder - Created by Freeport-McMoRan and ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, DreamBuilder is a free, bilingual online training program designed for women entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business.
Fuerza Local - Únase a nuestro grupo de negocios locales en todo tipo de industria de propiedad hispana. Desde nuestros recursos para propietarios de pequeñas empresas hasta nuestra amplia red de empresarios de ideas afines, encontrará la ayuda que necesita con Fuerza Local Arizona. Su éxito significa el éxito para todos.
2025 Moonshot Pitch Competition - Coming soon to Globe/Miami! Do you have a “moonshot” business idea or an existing business you’d like to expand? Or maybe you have a product or business idea scribbled down on a napkin or notebook, but that's as far as you've gotten?! If yes, join us for Moonshot's 6th Annual Rural Arizona Pitch Competition for entrepreneurs and business owners (aka, a showcase like you see on ABC's Shark Tank)! Win local prize money plus each tour stop winner will compete for the state title and $10,000 in cash, $5,000 in cash for "Crowd Favorite”, and several NEW cash prizes! Winners from each tour stop will receive two complimentary tickets to the finals event and a one-night stay at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Prescott, Arizona. Apply Here
SBDC - The Arizona Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides no fee one-to-one confidential evaluation and guidance by experienced Business Advisors with real-life ownership and management experience.
RCAC SGR - Coming Soon! Start, Grow, Revive Your Small Business! Workshops, networking and valuable tools and resources for local entrepreneurs. This is a hands-on workshop for those just starting out or for those seeking to enhance their business strategy. Designed to empower you every step of the way.
Gila County EDC - Provides micro business loans for locally owned businesses at low interest rates.

Need help navigating options? Contact our Economic Development team for guidance!

Welcome to the Economic Development Blog!

April 2025