Big Dreams, Small Beginnings: How Mesa is Fueling the Next Generation of Innovators

At the heart of every major enterprise, there is a small beginning. Here in Mesa, we are continually shaping a community where innovative ideas and entrepreneurial dreams can grow into businesses that drive economic growth and create quality jobs. Our city is taking big steps to foster an environment where emerging businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs can thrive, bringing new energy and opportunities to Mesa and beyond.

Specialty Spaces Attract Innovators

Mesa will host PHX Startup Week at Mesa Business Builder (MBB) @ The Studios November 12-14. For three full days, Downtown Mesa will be the epicenter for celebrating the entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators who are pushing boundaries and reimagining what is possible. This year’s lineup includes dynamic speakers like Dr. Heidi Jannenga, Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Officer of WebPT; Drew Trojanowski, CEO of the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center; Clate Mask, NY Times best-selling author and Co-Founder/CEO of Keap; and many others who will share insights and inspiration with attendees. PHX Startup Week is set to feature an incredible slate of programming covering everything from startup fundamentals to scaling growth, providing valuable resources for today’s entrepreneurs.

It is a significant moment for Mesa and a reflection of our growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are proud that Downtown Mesa continues to be a central hub for technology businesses wanting to start, grow, and expand. For example, LaunchPoint, our incubator, hosted local startups like Urbix and GT Medical Technologies and helped them grow into multimillion dollar companies. Urbix now occupies 33,000 square feet in northeast Mesa and is already preparing for further expansion, demonstrating how big things can grow from small beginnings right here in Mesa.

What Makes Downtown Special

Downtown Mesa is also home to numerous assets that support and inspire creativity, learning, and collaboration. From the Mesa Arts Center and the i.d.e.a. Museum to the Arizona Museum of Natural History, we offer spaces that fuel innovation and provide cultural richness to our downtown. Notably, the Arizona State University Sidney Poitier New American Film School, Benedictine University, CO+HOOTS, HeatSync Labs, and THINKspot bring together educators, hundreds of students, and entrepreneurs for connections and discovery. Add the array of art galleries, nearly 100 coffee shops, restaurants, and unique retailers, and Downtown Mesa is a place where entrepreneurs feel inspired and supported at every stage of their journey.

Mesa’s commitment to supporting business growth and economic vitality in Downtown is further underscored by the recent addition of our new City Hall at Center Street and Main Street. Join us at the Public Open House, Saturday, November 23, 10AM to 2PM to celebrate the new City Hall as a beacon of our city’s dedication to a flourishing and strong community.

Looking ahead, we see an even brighter future for Mesa’s business landscape. Whether you are an entrepreneur with an idea, a small business owner ready to grow, or simply someone who loves the vibrancy of Downtown Mesa, you are part of a community that is ready to support you. 

For more information on reserving Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios for your next event, meeting or to tour the space, visit MBBTheStudios.com. 

 

Mesa earns two Golden Prospector Awards from AAED for Economic Development efforts

The City of Mesa’s Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) was recently awarded two Golden Prospector Awards of Merit from the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED). In the category of Multimedia Promotion, Mesa OED won for the Business Advocate e-Newsletter. In the category of Marketing Brochure, Mesa OED won for Asian District Mesa, AZ® Brochure.

The Business Advocate is a monthly specialty e-newsletter designed to support Mesa’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and aspiring business owners. Its mission is to provide the readers with relevant articles and information about business concerns, services, events, workshops, grants, resources, and tools to help them make their businesses more competitive, sustainable, and successful. By doing so, the newsletter aims to help businesses grow, foster job creation, and add investment into the community.

The Business Advocate has been highly effective in achieving its mission. Over the course of just one year, it has built a substantial subscriber base of 8,477, with open rates as high as 49% and click-through rates as high as 26%. These engagement metrics far exceed industry averages of 37% open rate and 2% click-through rate according to Constant Contact.

Mesa OED created the Asian District Mesa, AZ® brochure to attract visitors to the vibrant Asian District and to provide comprehensive information about the district’s unique shopping and dining scene.

The Golden Prospector Awards were established by AAED to encourage and recognize excellence, innovation, and creativity in economic development. www.AAED.com 

Newest Asian District Mesa AZ® mural celebrates Year of the Dragon

The Asian District Mesa, AZ has unveiled its fifth cultural mural at Mekong Plaza at the southwest corner of Main Street and Dobson Road. Local artist Shela Yu created the new mural, Jewel of Balance, featuring a striking dragon named Drina, symbolizing power, strength, and good luck. As a symbol of unity and resilience, the dragon highlights the district's cultural diversity and the deep-rooted traditions of Asian communities in Mesa.

Born and raised in Mesa, Shela Yu has witnessed the growth and evolution of the Asian District firsthand. "Painting this dragon mural at Mekong Plaza feels different because I'm sharing my culture with the very community where I grew up," said Yu. Her concept for Jewel of Balance draws from the richness of East Asian traditions blended with modern elements to reflect the unique cultural heritage thriving in Mesa. "The Asian District offers a profound sense of belonging for Asian Americans in the Phoenix area," Yu added.

The mural is located on the south wall of Mekong Plaza, 66 S. Dobson Road, and invites visitors to engage with both the artwork and the stories it represents. The detailed dragon, set against a mountainous landscape, embodies balance and good fortune - key values in many Asian cultures. Through vibrant public artworks like this, Yu is dedicated to amplifying Asian American voices and celebrating the diversity that defines Mesa's Asian District.

Visitors can explore the full collection of murals and learn about the artists who contributed to this cultural tapestry by viewing the mural map available at selectmesa.com/asiandistrict.

City of Mesa now hiring for Deputy Economic Development Director

The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development (Mesa OED) is hiring a Deputy Economic Development Director. This position performs administrative work involving designing, coordinating, directing, and implementing programs and projects that support commercial, office, and industrial development including contract management, budget development and monitoring, negotiating, facility management, and entrepreneurial development; workforce development; the attraction of and assistance to domestic and international businesses; development of public facilities and infrastructure; small business, entrepreneurship, and technology business initiatives; and/or other economic development, redevelopment, or capital improvement programs or projects.

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