October 5 PickPima: Small Biz Commission meets Vail businesses, Safety grants available, So AZ takes global stage

Pima County, Arizona sent this bulletin at 10/05/2026 10:10 AM MST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
masthead

October 5, 2026 - Vol. 3, No. 20
SBC in Vail

Small Business Commission connects with
Vail business community

The Pima County Small Business Commission recently brought its first outreach effort to Vail, hosting a small business roundtable in partnership with the Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce on Sept 22, 2026.

More than 20 local business owners and community members attended the event to share their experiences, discuss challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen the local business environment.

READ MORE

SOAZHCC

County and Hispanic Chamber partner for One Pima small business safety grants

The Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will oversee a Business Safety and Beautification Grant Program in partnership with Pima County after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved providing an initial $250,000 to fund the program at its regular meeting Sept. 22.

The small grant program is part of the One Pima Initiative championed by District 5 Supervisor Andrés Cano, who brought the multi-pronged initiative to the Board in 2025 that seeks to address public safety concerns, housing, addiction, and other issues through invigoration of existing County programs.

READ MORE
CCIM lunch

Southern Arizona takes the global stage

Southern Arizona’s growing presence in the global economy was the focus of the Southern Arizona CCIM Chapter’s September luncheon, “Southern AZ on the Global Stage: Insights in Regional Foreign Direct Investment Initiatives,” held Sept 8, 2026.

The program brought together Pima County Economic Development Director Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, City of Tucson Chief Economic Development Officer Mike Czechowski, and University of Arizona Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing Director Krishna Muralidharan for a conversation about how Southern Arizona is positioning itself to compete for international investment.

READ MORE
Andres Cano Rob Elias

Cafecito with Supervisor Andrés Cano highlights community connections

Pima County Economic Development joined the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for its Cafecito with District 5 Supervisor Andrés Cano, on Sept 21, 2026, at Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe.

Cafecito series offers an intimate setting for local business and community leaders to connect with regional leaders and learn more about the issues and opportunities shaping Southern Arizona.

READ MORE
UACI OV

Life science startup wins Oro Valley-sponsored competition for UACI incubation program

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI) is pleased to announce that 3MB Science and Technology has been selected as the winning company for the UACI Sponsored Launch Fueled by the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Town of Oro Valley.

UACI is Arizona’s leading and longest continuously operating incubator, helping innovators turn breakthrough ideas into successful companies and has supported over 300 science and tech-based startups. As the selected company, 3MB Science and Technology will receive a one-year sponsored entry into UACI, gaining access to the people, place, and programming to help bring its innovation from concept to market.

READ MORE

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.

FOLLOW NOW!