THE QUICK JAB

Bill Jabjiniak, Economic Development Director

Mesa Office of Economic Development receives international accreditation

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recently announced that the City of Mesa Office of Economic Development has once again been recognized as one of 69 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Originally accredited in August of 2017, our department was reaccredited by IEDC following three successful years of activity as an AEDO member.

"This recognition of our Office of Economic Development is a tribute to the innovation, persistence, and professionalism of the staff in bringing new development and jobs to Mesa," City Manager Chris Brady said.

The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against crucial standards in the profession. The program consists of two phases: a documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the organization, funding, programming, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.

"The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor," IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle said.

Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that the City of Mesa Office of Economic Development attained a measure of excellence that assures the community and its prospects are in good hands.

Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO subcommittee.

The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With more than 5,000 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession, and one force for advocacy.

Economic development is a team sport and we cannot do it alone. Over the last several years, I have met with representatives from various AEDO organizations to review best practices for other high-performing organizations. Fellow AEDO organizations comprise a tremendous network that will continue to be a great resource for us going forward.  Working together, with your continued support, we will work to grow and diversify Mesa’s economy by creating quality jobs for Mesa residents. 

www.SelectMesa.com

Mesa CARES team helping small businesses with financial grants, technical assistance, and marketing programs
By Bill Jabjiniak, Economic Development Director

Small businesses are critical to Mesa’s economy, yet they have been greatly impacted by the required business closures and limited services mandated by statewide executive orders. Our City staff have stepped up, working diligently to help businesses that have felt the sting of COVID-19. Through the Mesa CARES Small Business Reemergence Programs, we are able to deliver critical support to Mesa small businesses through financial grants, technical assistance, and marketing programs. 

Financial Assistance

The financial assistance program provided grants for up to 90 days of rent and utilities through the federal CARES Act. The City team reached out to Mesa businesses to inform them about the program, assisted business owners to work through the application process, quickly reviewed applications for eligibility, and when qualified, provided checks to the businesses so their employees and bills could be paid. 515 small businesses received funding for a total of more than $4.3 million. 

Technical Assistance

With the completion of the financial grant program, city staff have now launched the technical assistance program. This program is intended to help Mesa-based businesses recover faster from the pandemic by providing customized free training, one-on-one business coaching, and products and services to promote health, revitalization, and sustainability. The City has contracted with subject matter experts and professionals to provide more than 100 webinars, coaching opportunities, operational advice, signage, and Personal Protective Equipment for their business. Training and assistance include marketing services, computer and technology training and support, financial and legal consulting, and much more. Learn more and register at www.MesaAz.gov/CARESBizTechAssist.

Escape to Mesa

Moreover, the City has partnered with Visit Mesa to launch “Escape to Mesa,” a marketing program that consists of a series of themed vacation packages targeted to area locals and statewide residents. The program is aimed at reopening the city's tourism industry for visitors and features a $150 incentive package for guests to book a two or more-night stay in Mesa hotels. Visitors and residents can learn more at www.EscapeToMesa.com.

Shop Mesa

In addition, the City has partnered with Hownd to launch the Shop Mesa/Hownd online marketing platform to help drive traffic to Mesa’s brick and mortar establishments. The program invites merchants to join the Hownd platform to offer customers the opportunity to purchase support vouchers, much like digital gift cards, and take advantage of promotional offers from local businesses. Approximately 80 Mesa merchants have signed up for the program thus far.

The City has established a fund to cover Hownd’s administrative fees that would ordinarily by charged to the participating merchants. The fund will achieve a return on investment by generating revenue for local businesses from thousands of consumers through the sale of vouchers, gift cards, and coupons purchased through the MyHownd mobile app, email, social media, or a participating business's website. Merchants can learn more and register at www.hownd.com/Mesa-Az or www.MesaAz.gov/ShopMesa.

These are truly unprecedented times requiring innovative solutions and herculean effort. I am proud of City staff and their resolve to provide this much needed help to our community.

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

Visit Mesa launched a series of themed vacation packages as part of its new Escape to Mesa campaign targeted to area locals and Arizona residents. The destination marketing organization partnered with the City of Mesa through the Mesa CARES Business Reemergence Program on the new outreach aimed at reopening the city’s tourism industry for visitors. Escape to Mesa vacation packages feature a $150 incentive to guests that book a two or more-night stay in Mesa hotels and will be available for a limited time.

“Escape to Mesa is a new collaboration between the City of Mesa and Visit Mesa designed to help support our tourism industry,” Mayor John Giles said. “I hope Mesa residents take advantage of this special offer and enjoy a weekend at one of our stellar hotels and check out the fun activities our great city has to offer.”

There are three themed vacation packages to choose from: Weekend Warrior, Family Fun, and Relaxation Retreat. After visitors book their Mesa hotel stay, they can register their upcoming vacation on the website, www.EscapeToMesa.com and qualify for $100 toward a Mesa experience, attraction, or service and an additional $50 gift card to a Mesa restaurant or choose the Downtown Mesa gift card good at select retailers and restaurants.

The Escape to Mesa packages were developed to help stimulate Mesa’s economy as the state safely begins to reopen in the fall, while increasing awareness of Mesa’s hotel industry being ready for visitors in the fall and winter months. The booking incentive will be marketed through the end of the year, while supplies last.

Like the rest of the aviation industry, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (Gateway Airport, Airport) saw a near disappearance of passenger traffic due to the COVID-19 outbreak. When compared to the same months a year before, passenger traffic at the airport was down 93% in April and 61% in May. This trend mirrored airport activity throughout the country as people stayed home and elected officials tried to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, beginning in June, Gateway Airport started to reverse that trend and has continued to show significant gains in passenger activity throughout the summer. In August 2020, the Airport was down only 35% when compared to last year. In fact, by Labor Day Weekend, more travelers passed through Gateway Airport than last year, a statistic that was not seen at other airports nationwide.

“Gateway Airport and Allegiant have done a good job ensuring that high touch areas in the terminal remain clean, passengers wear masks, and everyone respects social distancing,” Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Executive Director and CEO J. Brian O’Neill A.A.E. said. “Our Stay Healthy Fly Safe initiative has helped stop the spread of COVID-19 and helped build consumer confidence in the safety of air travel.”

Allegiant Air, Gateway Airport’s predominant air carrier, serves more than 45 nonstop destinations from greater Phoenix and welcomed approximately 1.8 million passengers in 2019. Airline industry experts predict that leisure travel will be the first segment to rebound, with frequent-flying business travelers and international markets lagging.

Allegiant continues to show a growing commitment to the Greater Phoenix region, adding dozens of new nonstop routes during the past two years. The airline recently announced a new route beginning November 19 between Gateway Airport and Santa Maria, California. This new route will connect visitors to the Santa Maria wine country just outside of Santa Barbara, great hiking, and other popular activities along the Pacific Coast. 

For more information about Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, please visit: www.GatewayAirport.com.

Mesa's Falcon Field Airport seeing recent economic activity

High demand for aviation services, re-investment by current tenants, and the current real estate market are resulting in business expansions and attraction at Falcon Field Airport.

To meet east valley demand, Leopard Aviation, a flight training business, has expanded its operations to Falcon Field Airport in a City-owned facility at 4636 E. Fighter Aces Dr. Leopard Aviation offers flexible training in modern G1000/GFC700 Cessna aircraft.

Recently, Lemac Aviation purchased combined office and hangar space at 4927 E. Falcon Dr., which expands its Falcon Field Airport presence to 9,700 square feet. The company has inspection-authorized mechanics on site and provides aircraft maintenance and design services, emergency repairs, inspections, and consulting for home-built aircraft.

GNC Enterprises, LLC recently purchased the 32,000-square-foot hangar and office facility at 4753 E. Falcon Dr. GNC will store aircraft and operate an auction business at the location. 

www.FalconFieldAirport.com