City of Tucson Small Business Center

The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department is accepting grant applications from qualified commercial property and storefront owners to participate in the Thrive Storefront Renovation Project, a façade improvement grant program within the Thrive in the 05 area.

The program provides funding to support property owners in investing in storefront improvements that attract customers, enhance neighborhood streetscapes, and strengthen the visual quality and economic vitality of key commercial corridors. Through this initiative, HCD will award up to $500,000 in total direct construction funding for up to three (3) exterior improvement projects that contribute to a more functional and economically resilient business environment while advancing Thrive in the 05 and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) goals.

An additional Historic Preservation funding opportunity of up to $10,000 is available for up to five eligible properties located within the Historic Miracle Mile District for historically appropriate exterior improvements.

HCD will host a virtual pre-proposal conference June 25, 2026, from 4:00-5:00PM MST via Zoom. This is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss ideas, and receive feedback on proposal concepts to ensure alignment with the priorities of this funding opportunity. Find more information at tucsonaz.gov/hcd.

¡Muchas felicidades, Yaneisy! 🎓

We are so proud of you and everything you have accomplished. It has been so special to watch you grow from an intern to a graduate from the University of Arizona.

Your hard work, dedication, and willingness to learn have made a real impact on our team and the community we serve. We are also excited that you will now be helping us teach and support future classes.

Congratulations on this well-deserved milestone. We are so happy for you and excited to see all the great things you will continue to do.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, Gisselle!🎈🎉

Wishing you a beautiful day and a year filled with happiness, good health, and success. We’re grateful to have you on the team and hope you enjoy your special day!

Yesterday, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our amazing Sazón Empresarial cohort! 🎉

Throughout this program, local business owners dedicated weeks to learning and developing their products to successfully bring them to market. Participants worked on perfecting their recipes, calculating product costs, conducting sensory evaluations, and ultimately obtaining nutrition labels for their products.

Graduates also had the incredible opportunity to showcase their products to Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, along with distinguished guests including Consul Fernando Adrian Sanchez from the Mexican Consulate, Deputy Consul Lee Wong, Paloma Granados from Tucson City of Gastronomy UNESCO, and Chef Rascon from La Caridad Community Kitchen at the Community Food Bank.

Congratulations to our graduates:
✨ SUMAJ Bolivian Street Food
✨ Shish Kebab House of Tucson
✨ Y Las Tortillas LLC
✨ Frozen Delight
✨ Tacos y Antojitos Sol Y Mí Tierra Tortillería
✨ Terranova
✨ Carniceria Wild West
✨ The Cookie Jar
✨ Chalypau

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and excited to see their businesses continue to grow! 👏

On Friday, we were invited to attend the Alta Vista High School Market Day! This event was part of the school’s entrepreneurship class, where students work on developing their own businesses and products throughout the course. Along the way, they learn about costs, marketing, business plans, and even earn their food handler permits.

It’s great to see schools creating programs like this and helping inspire and shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community. 👏

Thank you to Alta Vista High School and Professor Sanchez for the invitation!

May 3 – May 9 is National Small Business Week! 🎉

This Tuesday, some of Tucson’s incredible small businesses had the opportunity to attend the National Small Business Week and National Economic Development Week proclamation and be recognized by City of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and City Council Members for their hard work, resilience, and impact in our community. 👏

Small businesses are the heart and backbone of Tucson’s economy, creating jobs, strengthening neighborhoods, and helping our community thrive. From family-owned restaurants and food trucks to local shops, contractors, and service providers, these businesses create jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, and help Tucson thrive.

At the Tucson Small Business Center, we are proud to support our local entrepreneurs through resources, guidance, and education. Year-to-date, the Small Business Center has provided more than 3,100 hours of training and one-on-one assistance, serving 435 small businesses across our community.

This week, we celebrate the dedication and perseverance of Tucson’s small business owners. Thank you for everything you do to make Tucson stronger. 💙
Businesses that participated:
Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
Renaissance Antique Furniture Restoration & Service
Tacos y Antojitos Sol Y Mí Tierra Tortillería
Chalypau
Dibely Digital Solutions
El Antojo Poblano en Tucson
Pet Grooming MI MUNDO
The Cookie Jar
Balica Hra
Genuine Services LLC
Zacha's LLC

Have a great business idea but not sure how to pitch it effectively?
Join SCORE Southern Arizona for the FREE webinar “Winning Your Pitch: How to Sell Your Idea Effectively” on May 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM MST!

Learn how to:
✔ Craft a clear and compelling message
✔ Build confidence when presenting
✔ Engage your audience effectively
✔ Avoid common presentation mistakes
✔ Improve your delivery and communication style

Whether you’re speaking to investors, lenders, customers, or your team, this workshop will help you present your ideas with confidence.

Winning Your Pitch: How to Sell Your Idea Effectively - SCORE Having a great idea isn’t enough—you need to be able to present it in a way that inspires confidence and gets others to say “yes.”

📢 INFO SESSION

Are you in the process or do you have any questions related to a building permit with the City of Tucson? Join our info session to learn how to start your building permit and better understand the steps required by the City.

During this session, you will learn:
- The step-by-step process to apply for a building permit
- What documents you need before submitting your application
- Common mistakes that can delay approvals
- How the City of Tucson Small Business Center can support you
- Answers to your questions about permits and requirements

Whether you’re just getting started or already working through the process, this session is a great opportunity to get clarity and move your project forward with confidence.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/would-you-like-to-learn-how-to-start-your-building-permit-tickets-1988790970329?aff=oddtdtcreator

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📢 SESIÓN INFORMATIVA

¿Te encuentras en el proceso o tienes alguna pregunta relacionada con un permiso de construcción con la Ciudad de Tucson? Únete a nuestra sesión informativa para aprender cómo iniciar tu permiso de construcción y entender mejor los pasos requeridos por la Ciudad.

Durante esta sesión aprenderás:
-El proceso paso a paso para solicitar un permiso de construcción
-Qué documentos necesitas antes de enviar tu solicitud
-Errores comunes que pueden retrasar las aprobaciones
-Cómo el Centro de Pequeñas Empresas de la Ciudad de Tucson puede apoyarte
-Respuestas a tus preguntas sobre permisos y requisitos

Ya sea que apenas estés comenzando o que ya estés avanzando en el proceso, esta sesión es una gran oportunidad para obtener claridad y avanzar en tu proyecto con confianza.
Regístrate aquí: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/would-you-like-to-learn-how-to-start-your-building-permit-tickets-1988790970329?aff=oddtdtcreator

🚧 Now Open: Rural Arizona Contractor’s Pathway Program Grant!

Ready to become a licensed contractor in Arizona? This grant helps cover initial costs to obtain your R-62 Minor Home Improvement license.

Designed for individuals in rural areas and members of Native American tribes, this is your chance to grow your skills and business.

Learn more & apply: roc.az.gov/pathway-program

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🚧 ¡Ya está abierto: Programa de Beca Rural: Arizona Contractor’s Pathway!

¿Listo para convertirte en contratista con licencia en Arizona? Esta beca ayuda a cubrir los costos iniciales para obtener tu licencia R-62 de Mejoras Menores del Hogar.

Diseñado para personas en áreas rurales y miembros de tribus nativas ¡es tu oportunidad para crecer profesionalmente y hacer crecer tu negocio!

Más información y aplicación: roc.az.gov/pathway-program