1. Toolbox for Small Town Economic Development
League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference
August 22, 2016

2. Mignonne Hollis, Executive Director Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation Danielle Casey, Economic Development Director City of Scottsdale Julie Engel, President and CEO Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation John Saltonstall, Business Retention and Expansion Manager City of Flagstaff Susan Hyatt Dumon, Vice President, Business Expansion - Moderator Arizona Commerce Authority

3. Arizona Association for Economic Development
(AAED) serves as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through an effective program of professional education, public policy, and collaboration.

4. What is Economic Development?
A program, group of programs, or activity that seeks to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community through efforts to create and retain jobs, facilitate growth, and provide a stable tax base.

5. How does your region define Economic Development?
Business Retention
New Business Attraction
Infrastructure Development
Retail
Small Business Development, Economic Gardening

6. MUST HAVE’s for Economic Development
Economic Development Strategic Plan
SOME FUNDING and a dedicated practitioner (regardless of the organization they work for)
Understanding your target industries – Manufacturing? Logistics? Tourism?

7. Federal Tools and Opportunities
Community Development Block Grants
Small Business Administration
USDA Rural Economic Development Grants/Rural Business Opportunity & Enterprise Grants

8. State Tools and Opportunities
Redevelopment Districts, Single Central Business Districts, & Government Property Lease Excise Tax
Greater Arizona Development Authority/ Water Infrastructure Authority
Arizona Commerce Authority – Certified Sites, Rural Economic Development Grant, Qualified Facilities Tax Credit, Quality Jobs Tax Credit, Job Training

9. Networks and Training Opportunities
Small Business Development Centers
Chambers of Commerce
Arizona Association for Economic Development
Online tools and programs (Arizona Prospector, Size Up, MAP Dashboard, MAG State Demographic Tool etc.)
Shop Local programs, associations and strategies

10. Thank you!
For more information on the Arizona Association for Economic Development visit:
aaed.com