Ajo entrepreneurs take the stage at
Moonshot Rural AZ Pitch Competition
Entrepreneurship was on full display in Ajo as seven local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs took the stage for the Moonshot Rural AZ Pitch Competition, presenting their ideas to a packed house of community members, mentors, and judges.
Congratulations to this year’s Ajo winners! Blanca Mayne of Bidi Bidi Boutique Co. earned first place and a $1,000 prize, while Jon Cameron of Cameron Cares Nonprofit took second place and $500. Ashlee Ebinger of OCD Clean – Organized Cleaning Done Right received third place and $250. Marjorie Casse and Bret Benge of Sidewinder Bicycle Company were selected as Crowd Favorite and won $500.
Pima County advances childcare access on two fronts
Pima County's leadership in childcare access is being recognized nationally, even as the county rolls out a new benefit closer to home.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) featured Pima County as one of five counties nationwide in its 2025-26 Childcare Supply Network, highlighted in NACo's new guide, Building Sustainable Childcare Solutions.
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Forbes names Tucson one
of the Top U.S. Cities Remote Workers Are Choosing in 2026
Tucson continues to gain national attention as a destination for people looking for the right combination of affordability, quality of life, and opportunity. A recent Forbes article, “7 American Cities Remote Workers Are Choosing in 2026,” includes Tucson among a select group of communities attracting remote workers from across the country.
The July 2026 article notes that the remote-work landscape is changing. While the first wave of remote work gave employees the freedom to work from virtually anywhere, today’s remote workers are increasingly looking beyond traditional technology hubs and high-cost coastal cities for communities where they can build a sustainable lifestyle. Tucson stands out as one of those destinations.
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Small Business Pulse
Mission, Margin & Momentum — Building Something That Lasts
By Janay Arenas, Pima County Small Business Commissioner
Many entrepreneurs begin with a dream.
Maybe it starts with a skill, a passion, a solution to a problem, or a desire to make a difference. That spark is important—but over time, every business owner faces a bigger question:
How do you build something that lasts?
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DreamBuilder program offered locally to help small businesses succeed
If you have a small business you want to grow or an idea for a business you want to start, sign up for the DreamBuilder program’s in-person classes throughout Pima County.
DreamBuilder offers a step-by-step, experiential framework to help entrepreneurs build a solid foundation to launch and grow their small businesses. The DreamBuilder program covers essential small business topics including business planning, sales & marketing, pricing, financial management, and access to capital.
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UACI opens applications
for sponsored incubator program in Oro Valley
The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), which serves as the science and technology startup incubator network of Tech Parks Arizona, has opened applications for the UACI Sponsored Launch fueled by the Oro Valley Chamber and Town of Oro Valley.
Early-stage science and technology startups are invited to apply by August 14, 2026, for a sponsored year of admission to the UACI incubator to accelerate their path to commercialization.
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Southern Arizona Development Finance Summit helps
move projects from concept
to closing
The Tucson Industrial Development Authority (Tucson IDA) will convene developers, nonprofit organizations, lenders, investors, public sector leaders, and economic development professionals from across the region for the Southern Arizona Development Finance Summit, taking place September 10–11, 2026.
Designed to help move projects from concept to closing, the two-day Summit will connect attendees with innovative financing tools, development expertise, and strategic capital partners to accelerate projects that strengthen communities and drive long-term economic growth throughout Southern Arizona.
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Follow us on LinkedIn
Keep up on the latest economic development news in the region by following the Pima County Economic Development Department on LinkedIn.
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