MesaBusinessBuilderLogo_FullCOlor_LoRes

The Mesa Business Resource Guide

-- a component of the Mesa Business Builder Toolbox

New Business Checklist -- Start a Brick & Mortar

Chapters:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Chapter 13 – Finance

LOAN PROGRAMS, GRANTS, TAX INCENTIVES AND CREDITS

Accion – Works to create an inclusive, healthy financial system that supports the nation’s small business owners by connecting entrepreneurs to affordable capital, educational resources, coaching, and networks. Targets underserved entrepreneurs — including entrepreneurs of color, low-income entrepreneurs, and women — who often lack access to the financial services they need to build and grow their businesses.

1101 15th St. NW, Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 393-5113

Arizona Commerce Authority – A source for grants, competitions, and state incentives.

Arizona State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) – SSBCI is a federal program administered by the Department of the Treasury to strengthen state programs that support private financing to small businesses and business enterprises owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI-owned businesses).

100 N. 7th Ave., Ste. 400
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 845-1200

Arizona Multi Bank Community Development Corporation (CDC) – A premiere community development loan fund serving Arizona since 1990. Now operating as a division of Clearinghouse CDFI, AZ Multi Bank CDC provides financial and technical assistance for small business, low and moderate-income housing, and economic development. This lender provides direct financing in the form of debt, debt with equity features, and credit enhancements to facilitate conventional financing and to leverage other private and public funds.

16 W. Vernon Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(800) 445-2142
azmultibank@multibank.org

Arizona Small Business Finance CDC – Works with small business owners throughout Arizona to help them with their loan needs – from working capital to purchasing commercial real estate.

2448 Historic Decatur Rd., #200
San Diego, CA 92106
(602) 762-4454
(800) 611-5170

City of Mesa Business Export Assistance Program (BEAP) – Provides small to medium-sized Mesa businesses information, training, marketing, and sales support that to help them begin or increase exporting products and/or services to international markets.

Growth Partners Arizona

Growth Partners Arizona: Nonprofit Loans – Provides affordable and flexible loans for nonprofits and provides business guidance for staff and boards of directors.

Growth Partners Arizona: Small Business Success Loans – Provides affordable and flexible financing to small businesses that currently don’t have access to traditional sources of loan capital. By focusing on underserved areas, they help drive positive change through thoughtful and collaborative approaches to community development.

7228 N. Dreamy Draw Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
(520) 382-9218
info@growthpartnersaz.org

LISC Phoenix – Provides a variety of flexible lending products designed to help local groups bring development projects to fruition including loans for housing, education, health, and business.

112 N. Central Ave., Ste. 700B
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
(602) 256-0015
infophx@lisc.org

Maricopa County Industrial Development Authority – Offers a way for private borrowers to receive tax-exempt bond financing.

8687 E. Via De Ventura, Ste. 306
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(602) 834-5226

PPEP Microbusiness & Housing Development – A financial institution focused on socio-economic development in underserved communities that assists small businesses to achieve prosperity and success. The program offers capital lending and supportive services which includes technical assistance, business counseling, and training to start-ups and existing businesses.

Main Office
806 E. 46th St.
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 622-3553

Prestamos – Provides comprehensive loans that give businesses access to financial solutions to help them get established and grow.

1024 E. Buckeye Rd., #270
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 258-9911

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Offers several loan programs to assist businesses in financing including the 7(a) Loan program, microloans, and the 504-loan program.

Phoenix – Main Office
4041 N. Central Ave., Ste. 1000
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 745-7200

GRANTS & COMPETITIONS

Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program – Designed to assist Mesa-based small businesses improve business competency and ensure success in today’s modern economy. The program provides free training and education, and one-on-one consulting with professional advisors. To qualify, businesses must be for-profit, located in the City of Mesa, and have a valid Mesa Business License. Apply for the program on the Mesa HUUB.

Arizona Innovation Challenge – One of the largest business plan competitions in the country, is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting early-stage ventures to scale.

Assets to Opportunity, A New Leaf – A matched savings program. People of low to moderate means can build assets towards post-secondary education or developing their small business. Small business owners can receive funds for necessary items and/or services they need to have a successful business.

Flinn Foundation – The Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program offers funding, professional support, connections, and networking opportunities to Arizona early-stage bioscience firms.

Mesa Chamber Capital Opportunity Program – The program features financial partners that work closely with the Chamber to help create opportunities for referral. The program also educates and collaborates with businesses on funding opportunities in other areas, including grants, angel investing, and others.

SBIR/STTR Grant Programs – Through these grants, eleven federal agencies award more than $2 billion in non-dilutive funding to small, high-tech, innovative businesses that that have the potential for commercialization.
Incentives

Arizona Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program – ADOT helps businesses — especially small and disadvantaged business enterprises — enhance their opportunities to participate in ADOT contracts.

Arizona State & Local Incentive Programs – Businesses locating or expanding in Mesa may be eligible for special state and/or local incentives and programs.

City of Mesa Business Export Assistance Program – Assists company expansions internationally by helping to relieve some of the financial burden many small to medium-sized companies face in attending training seminars, trade shows, sales missions, or in finding partners abroad to help grow their business. The program reimburses qualified Mesa companies up to 50% of the pre-approved eligible fees.

City of Mesa Downtown Small Business Utility Rate Program – Offers a 25% reduction in energy and water bills for three years for new businesses that fit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business. Businesses must apply for the program within their first year of operation.

City of Mesa Downtown Sign Program – Reimburses up to 100% of the cost for new signage, maintenance of existing legal or legal non-conforming signs or enhancement of existing signs.