September 2024

Mesa Forward

We just released our FY 2023-2024 Annual Report, and I am thrilled with the incredible success the Mesa Office of Economic Development has had this past year.  

In this fiscal year, we assisted in attracting, retaining and expanding 66 projects, which will create more than 2,600 jobs with an average annual salary of $61,300! These projects will occupy more than 7.1 million square feet of space and will create more than $5 billion of capital investment.
 
Additionally, we continue to press forward with innovative programs like our small business assistance programs, serving hundreds of businesses annually. We’ve had our best year yet with the opening of Mesa Business Builder at the Studios in Downtown Mesa! Workforce development expanded the JobConnect Mesa website to make it easier for employers to connect with job seekers! We also launched our new Retail Attraction Strategy to recruit quality amenities to Mesa. And our continued business retention and expansion program ensures existing Mesa businesses are healthy and thriving.
 
With the vision of our elected leaders and support from our community partners, we are truly moving Mesa forward.
 
See more successes by viewing our annual report.

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Office of Economic Development receives 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council

The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the international Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the Mesa Business Builder (MBB) Program in the category of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development. Mesa OED was acknowledged and honored at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver Sept. 15-18.

The MBB Program is Mesa’s strategic initiative for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship. Created by Mesa OED in 2021, MBB features nine programs and services, divided into three main areas: Information and Communications, Training and Education, and Specialty Spaces. The goal of the MBB Program is to enhance competitiveness, build resilience, and encourage growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in Mesa.

Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and play a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development.

Applications now open for the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program

The City of Mesa has announced the opening of the Mesa Business Builder (MBB) Small Business Assistance Program for the new program year. This award-winning initiative offers FREE expert personalized guidance from professional advisors and consultants to help Mesa businesses grow.

Since 2021, the Program has helped more than 360 Mesa businesses. During fiscal year 23-24, 165 small businesses received more than $349,000 in services that included website development, strategic planning, signage, photo/video production, tax advising, and more. Qualified Mesa businesses are matched with subject matter experts to receive one-on-one consulting services tailored to the unique needs of their business to help hone their competitive edge.

Additionally, the MBB Small Business Assistance Program offers Mesa Business Builder Educates U. Participants in the Program can take college classes at Mesa Community College in 14 certificate programs with tuition and course fees paid by the program. Last program year, 24 students from 21 Mesa businesses took 145 college credit hours.

To qualify for the program, businesses must be located in the City of Mesa, be a for-profit company, and have a Mesa General Business License, or other qualifying Mesa license.

To learn more about the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program and Mesa Business Builder Educates U visit MesaBusinessBuilder.com. The site provides access to Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios, the new 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art space in Downtown Mesa that offers tools and technology to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Visit the Mesa HUUB to apply for the program. For more information on program details and eligibility, visit MesaBusinessBuilder.com or contact Mesa Business Builder at MesaBusinessBuilder@mesaaz.gov.

City of Mesa Office of Economic Development welcomes new team member Brian Adkins

Brian Adkins joined the City of Mesa Office of Economic Development August 2024 as an Economic Development Specialist. In this position, Brian provides support, information, and tools for businesses looking into locating and expanding in Mesa. 

Prior to joining the City of Mesa, Brian worked in commercial real estate with NAI Premier, completing land development, industrial, office, and retail projects for local to national credit clients throughout the Greater Salt Lake City region. Prior to his work at NAI, Brian spent more than five years in Arizona working for Intel Corporation at Fab 32, specializing in process engineering, quality control, maintenance, troubleshooting, and operations.

He earned his Master of Arts in Political Psychology from Arizona State University’s School of Politics and Global Studies in December 2022, after earning concurrent Bachelors of Arts in History and Religious Studies at Arizona State in December 2020.