-- a component of the Mesa Business Builder Toolbox

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Preguntas Frecuentes / En español

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What is the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program?

The Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program is a FREE program that helps Mesa-based small businesses succeed and grow by helping them build business competency, increase competitiveness, and become more resilient.  

What does the Program provide?

The Program provides education, training, and one-on-one consulting support covering a wide array of common business subjects. Topics range from digital media, marketing, financial literacy, business operations, website development, and social media to accounting, business planning, retail management, computer literacy, restaurant operations, and more. Assistance is available via webinars, in person events, classes, college classes, training, and one-on-one professional business consulting and advising services, all FREE of charge to qualified businesses.

PLEASE NOTE: The program is a business assistance program and is not a funding program. Businesses may seek assistance to develop a financial plan that can then be used to approach a lender for the purpose of applying for a loan or grants from other agencies

The Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program is annually funded and operates in the City of Mesa’s fiscal year, based on the 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and is based on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Who can apply for the Program?

This program supports for-profit, Mesa-based businesses that are micro-sized, underserved, technology challenged, underbanked, or similarly challenged, and small-sized businesses with fewer than 25 full-time* employees that need professional services to help them reach milestones, and become more sustainable. 

*How do I calculate “Full-time Equivalent” Employees?

The definition of full-time equivalent (FTE) is the hours worked by one employee on a full-time basis. An FTE is considered to be 2,080 hours per year (calculated as: 8 hours per day x 5 workdays per week x 52 weeks per year = 2,080). Therefore, two part-time positions (.50 FTE) equal one (1) FTE.  

What businesses are eligible for the Program?

Business must be physically located within the City of Mesa; this includes home-based businesses. Businesses in Maricopa County islands or unincorporated areas of Mesa are not eligible.

Businesses must also have a Mesa General Business License, unless exempted.
BUSINESS LICENSE INFO

Is there a maximum dollar amount for benefits received per business through the Small Business Assistance Program?

YES. There is a cap on the amount of benefits a business can receive in the Small Business Assistance Program. The maximum lifetime benefit is $20,000 received by the business beginning in Program Year 2023 through the then current program year. When the maximum lifetime benefit is reached, the business will be notified by the Project Manager that the business will no longer be eligible for one-on-one consulting/advising services through the Small Business Assistance Program. However, the business may still participate in the other aspects of the Small Business Assistance Program such as Mesa Business Builder Educates U, Mesa HUUB, and Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios.

How do I apply for the Program?

First, your business must have a Mesa General Business License, then you may register for the program at Mesa HUUB. This is a two-step process. First, register your business on the Mesa HUUB. Second, on your Mesa HUUB dashboard page you will need to click the tile to “Apply for 1-on-1 Business Support.” This will take you to the application for the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program. During the application process, you may select from a wide variety of business subjects for assistance. When complete, click submit and the application will be processed.

Who needs a Mesa Business License?

Most businesses that collect sales tax (retailers, wholesalers, restaurants, etc.), service businesses, and home-based businesses operating in Mesa are required to have a business license. The cost of the license is $10 and is valid for 12 months.

BUSINESSES EXEMPT FROM BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENT 

How do I get a Mesa General Business License?

If you do not have a Mesa General Business License, APPLY HERE FOR YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE.  

The application process will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

What if my business is exempt from having a Mesa General Business License?

To apply to the program, if the business is exempt from a Mesa General Business License, you must provide the type of license you are required to have and the license number. 

If I apply for a Specialty License, do I also need a Mesa Business License?

A person will not have to obtain a Mesa Business License if they have a valid specialty license issued pursuant to any of the following Chapters of Title 5 of the Mesa City Code:

• Chapter 4, “Mobile Food Vendors” 

• Chapter 8, “Peddlers and Solicitors” 

• Chapter 22, “Automated Kiosks” 

I am having problems completing the online form for the Small Business Assistance Program. Can I print the form and deliver it or mail it?

NO. We are not able to accept paper forms. Please email mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov, or call Kelley Keffer, Project Manager, at 480-644-6958 for assistance with your application. For assistance in Spanish, we will connect you with a Spanish speaking assistant.

What documentation do I need to provide when I apply for the Program? 

Applicants must submit the business’s valid Mesa General Business License. unless exempt or the holder of another approved City of Mesa License such as a Food Truck, Mobile Food Vendor, or Peddler’s license.) Without a General Business License you may not apply.
BUSINESS LICENSE INFO 

How do I know if my business is in an unincorporated portion of Maricopa County or county island and not within the City of Mesa?

Please visit the Explore Mesa map.  Click “Search by Location” and type in your address. If the address you entered is in a Maricopa County island or unincorporated area, the map will return a result of “Non-Mesa Location.”

I live in Mesa and am the sole proprietor of a home-based business. I do not have a commercial address. May I apply for this program?

Yes. As a home-based business owner with a Mesa address, you are eligible for the Program.

Which types of businesses are not eligible for the Program?

Businesses that are not eligible for program participation are:

• Franchisees with more than three locations in Mesa, franchises with national marketing support (example: Subway), franchise locations that are not in the City of Mesa.
• Publicly held companies.
• Real estate investment firms.
• Firms involved in speculative activities that develop profits from fluctuations in price rather than through the normal course of trade, such as wildcatting for oil and dealing in commodities futures, when not part of the regular activities of the business.
• Dealers of rare coins and stamps.
• Firms involved in lending activities, such as banks, credit unions, check cashing, finance companies, factors, leasing companies, insurance companies (not agents), and any other firm whose stock in trade is money.
• Pyramid sales plans, where a participant's primary incentive is based on the sales made by an ever-increasing number of participants. Such products as cosmetics, household goods, and other soft goods lend themselves to this type of business.
• Firms engaged in illegal activities, including the production, servicing, or distribution of otherwise legal products that are to be used in connection with an illegal activity, such as selling drug paraphernalia or operating a motel that permits illegal prostitution.
• Gambling activities, including any business whose principal activity is gambling. While this precludes grants to racetracks, casinos, and similar enterprises, the rule does not restrict grants to otherwise eligible businesses, which obtain less than one-third of their annual gross income from either the sale of official state lottery tickets under a state license, or legal gambling activities licensed and supervised by a state authority, including businesses with an off-track betting license.
• Principles or owners of the business who are currently incarcerated or on parole.
• Businesses engaged in the growth, harvest, storage, transport, distribution, use or otherwise providing cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, including cultivation facility, dispensary, and infusion facility.

This list of ineligible businesses may be updated by the City as the program continues.

I own multiple businesses. Can I apply for the Program more than once?

If you have multiple, eligible businesses that are separate legal entities in Mesa, you may submit a separate application for each business. Each business requires a separate Mesa General Business License.

If I am not eligible for the Program, what other resources are available?

The City of Mesa Office of Economic Development has launched the Mesa Business Builder webpage as Mesa's key source of business information and for businesses needing access to financial support programs and resources. To discover other resources that are available, please visit MesaBusinessBuilder.com.

Businesses that are not eligible for the Small Business Assistance Program may also register on the Mesa HUUB and have access to all the resources, training, and information on this FREE digital platform.

The City of Mesa offers additional resources including Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios in downtown Mesa. This facility offers meeting, conference, and event spaces as well as technology and tools including a computer lab, podcast studio, digital development zones, multimedia AR/VR studio, and more. For more information visit: MBBTheStudios.com

When is the deadline for applications for the Program?

The Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available until the funding is fully depleted for the program year. The application must be submitted via the Mesa HUUB platform to be considered valid for evaluation and qualification. Technological or other submission difficulties will not excuse the requirement that the application be submitted completely. The program is open for applications beginning on July 8, 2025 until April 1, 2026 or until all funds are used, whichever comes first.

If you need assistance, please email mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov, or call Kelley Keffer at 480-644-6958.

When will I hear if my application was successful?

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming receipt. Applications will be processed within 7-10 businesses days, provided the information submitted is complete. Awards will be made to eligible businesses as long as funding is available. For Program Year 2025-2026, awarded assignments to vendors and consultants will begin in mid to late July 2025.

How do I know if my application was approved?

You will receive a notification upon the approval of your application with your next steps.

How do I know if my application was not approved?

You will receive an email from Mesa HUUB indicating your business is not eligible. For questions, email mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov.

Do I need to attend a Program Orientation session?

YES. All businesses accepted into the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program will need to attend a Program Orientation prior to receiving advising assignments. 

Am I eligible to apply for the Program if I started my business in the last year?

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming receipt. Applications will be processed within 7-10 businesses days, provided the information submitted is complete. Awards will be made to eligible businesses as long as funding is available. For Program Year 2025-2026, awarded assignments to vendors and consultants will begin in mid to late July 2025.

Upon completion of the bootcamp, you will be referred for one-on-one professional consultant services to address your business needs.

How long do I have to use my hours assigned with my consultant(s)?

After you receive your first 10-hour block assignment of hours and consultant(s) referral, you will have 60 days to complete the hours you have been allocated.

If you do not complete the 10 hours within 60 days, your status in the program will automatically be converted to INACTIVE, and your hours will no longer be available.

If you would like to reactivate your hours, you will need to contact the City of Mesa by emailing mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov. You will be contacted by a Project Manager to discuss reactivation.

How will awardees be notified?

The City of Mesa and the Mesa HUUB will use email to communicate with all applicants. Be sure to check  the email you provided on your application at least 1 – 2 times per week including spam folders.
We recommend you add MesaBusinessBuilder.com AND Mesa HUUB to your website favorites list and check regularly for updates.

Check your email often for correspondence from City staff @mesaaz.gov email address(es) and mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov to make sure you receive updates. 

What is Mesa Business Builder Educates U?