10/02/2026
Today was a BIG day for Surprise Economic Development!
We officially celebrated the Grand Opening of Spark Surprise AZ, the City of Surprise’s new Business Development Hub! Mayor Kevin Sartor and Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic cut the ribbon, officially opening Spark Surprise to businesses and entrepreneurs in our community.
They were joined by Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg, Councilmember Johnny V. Melton, Supervisor Debbie Lesko - Vice Chair of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Surprise City Manager Andrea Davis, Economic Development Assistant Director Mike Hoover, Economic Development Project Manager - Spark Surprise Samuel Pena, and Economic Development Administrative Specialist - Spark Surprise Maggie Lewis.
Making a community resource like this a reality would be impossible without our many incredible partners! A few were on hand to celebrate with us today including:
- City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality who provided their Block Party Trailer
- George Sezemsky, CEO Forums Chair, SCORE Mentors
- Ryan Dixon, Small Business Advocate, Maricopa County - Procurement Services
- Robert Theobald, Small Business Ombudsman, Sr. VP, Small Business Services, Arizona Commerce Authority
- Patrick Jordan, Compliance Assistance Supervisor, ADOSH
- Darren Ware, Safety Coordinator, ADOSH
- Steve Kaiser, CEO, Arizona Small Business Association
- Katherine Dunphy, Marketing Director, Arizona Small Business Association
- Kaila Hammonds, Director of Business Development, Arizona Small Business Association
- Dysart Schools: Dysart Student Broadcasting
Special shout out to Fairytale Finds Market and all today's vendors for putting on a fantastic market for the event!
Spark Surprise is located in the heart of our City, right on Elm Street, and for the Grand Opening, many of the amazing Elm Street Restaurants participated in the Taste of Elm Street. Big thank you to:
MISSION BBQ
Pita Kitchen Mediterranean Grill
Southern Steer Butcher
Osteria Mia - Surprise
Jet's Pizza
Tacos Chilango
Cafe Zupas
Better Buzz Coffee
Farmer Boys
One final, Sparkling Shout Out to the incredible Flash Mob Dance Participants that took over Elm Street Today! Great work Assistant Choreographer (and today's Michal Jackson) K-9, Pomp Team & Dance Company with Peoria High School, Pomp Team with Paradise Honors High School, Dance Team with Ottawa University - Arizona, and the Desert Flowers Belly Dancing Troop.
Check out photos of all of today's wonderful festivities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6rLE
Spark Surprise | 14462 W. Elm Street, Suite 143
https://www.sparksurpriseaz.com/
Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!