Tucson Small Business Center Grand Opening

Tucson Small Business Center Grand Opening

Published on October 02, 2025

TUCSON, AZ - October 2, 2025. The City of Tucson, Groundswell Capital, and the Tucson Industrial Development Authority (TIDA) are celebrating the Grand Opening of the Tucson Small Business Center and Resource Fair on October 9. Located in the former site of the historic Lee Ho Market, the newly transformed 12,000 sq foot incubator will help entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive by bringing resources, capital, and community together.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create generational wealth, reduce poverty, and strengthen our community," said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. " That's why I championed the creation of the City's Small Business Program, and why today we are investing nearly $1 million and partnering with the Tucson Industrial Development Authority. The best investment we can make is in our residents, by giving them the tools to launch their businesses and the capital they need to grow," said the Mayor.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Tucson's economy, and this Center is designed to meet them where they are," said Dre Thompson, CEO of the Tucson IDA and President of Groundswell Capital. "By combining education, access to capital, and community partnerships, we're creating a truly inclusive model for economic growth."

Located in the heart of historic Barrio Viejo, in a building that once served the neighborhood as a Chinese market for over 100 years, the Tucson Small Business Center will now serve small businesses and entrepreneurs with technology resources, available meeting spaces, and free education opportunities. The Center offers free workshops, curated events, access to innovative lending programs, weekly open office hours, and more - all designed to create equitable opportunities and support Tucson's growing business community.

"As someone who works with our entrepreneurs every day, I see firsthand how small-, legacy-, and local businesses are the heart of Tucson," said Francisca Villegas, City of Tucson Small Business Program Manager. "In Arizona, 97 percent of all businesses have fewer than 20 employees-and those small businesses employ 40 percent of our state's workforce. These businesses create jobs and anchor our neighborhoods with cultura, resilience, and pride. Opening the Tucson Small Business Center is about honoring that impact and ensuring that every entrepreneur-no matter their background-has a place to grow, connect, and thrive."

Event Details

The Grand Opening & Resource Fair is free and open to the public. Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community partners are invited to:

• Meet and connect with local business resource providers and community organizations

• Explore the Vantage West Innovation Hub, a new space for year-round workshops, trainings, and collaboration

• Network with fellow Tucson entrepreneurs and small business owners

• Enjoy live local music and refreshments as part of the celebration

Vantage West Innovation Hub will provide free workshops and financial education to small businesses throughout the year. The Tucson Small Business Center is also sponsored by community partners such as Growth Partners Arizona, the Chamber of Southern Arizona, Udall Law Firm, Christopher Ambrosio Law, The Royce Firm CPA, and Circle Stone Capital.

The Tucson Small Business Center represents the culmination of Mayor Regina Romero's vision to co-locate the City of Tucson's Small Business Program, the Tucson Industrial Development Authority, and access to equitable funding and resources through Groundswell Capital's technical assistance and innovative lending programs. This investment reflects the City's broader policy priorities, which include driving robust economic development, with an emphasis on small businesses and ensuring equitable access and investment across all communities.

The City of Tucson contributed $925,000 of American Rescue Plan dollars to the purchase of the building, in partnership with the Tucson Industrial Development Authority.

Learn more about the Tucson Small Business Center

To learn more about the Tucson Small Business Center and explore free resources for local business owners, visit tucsonsmallbusinesscenter.com.

Housed within the Tucson Small Business Center are key partners working together to strengthen Tucson's economic ecosystem. From technical assistance, innovative lending and investment programs through the Tucson IDA and Groundswell Capital, the City of Tucson's Small Business Program providing hands-on support and free workshops for small businesses, and the PimaTucson Housing Innovation Hub expanding pathways to homeownership, the Center is a collaborative space where resources align to create long-term impact for our community.

About City of Tucson Small Business Program

The City of Tucson Small Business Program offers classes, workshops and open office hours to help people start and grow their business so they can realize their dreams. City of Tucson business navigators provide help to small business owners, with a focus on women and minority entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and sustain their businesses. In partnership with the City of Tucson IDA, the Small Business Program is providing thousands of hours of business education, coaching and mentoring, and securing nearly $1.5M for small business grants supporting hundreds of small businesses and startups to start or grow a business in Tucson.

About Tucson Industrial Development Authority

The Tucson Industrial Development Authority enables strategic economic and community development by providing financing and access to capital for projects and programs that benefit a thriving Tucson. Holistic economic development empowers good jobs, affordable homes, healthy neighborhoods, sustainable infrastructure, and equitable opportunities for all.

About Groundswell Capital

Groundswell Capital is a mission-driven lending nonprofit dedicated to sustainable economic growth, focusing on clean energy, small business financing, and community development. By aligning financial returns with environmental and social responsibility, Groundswell Capital is helping to shape a resilient and equitable future for Arizona.