Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation

10/14/2026

Please join us in congratulating our Executive Director, Mignonne Hollis, on being recognized by Herald/Review Media as the Digital Inclusion Advocate for Cochise County!

Mignonne's efforts to build a partnership with the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA) and bring the Hive to Sierra Vista have helped create an invaluable community resource. From small businesses and job seekers to students and older adults, the Hive is opening doors to technology, digital skills, and new opportunities for people of all ages.

Congratulations, Mignonne! This recognition is well deserved!

10/14/2026

There's something creative brewing at the Sierra Vista Hive this October!

From digital art to podcasting and video storytelling, the Hive is helping our community explore new skills, get creative, and have a little fun along the way!

There are still two FREE, beginner-friendly workshops coming up this month:

🎙️ Campfire Stories: Podcasting Workshop
October 21 | 4:30–6 PM

🎬 Spooky Shorts: Video Storytelling Workshop
October 28 | 4:30–6 PM

Both workshops are open to ages 10 and up, and no experience is necessary!

The Hive, located inside the Community Innovation Center in Sierra Vista, offers free opportunities to learn, explore technology, and build digital skills.

👻 Check out the video to see what's happening at the Hive, and sign up for a workshop at https://theidia.eventbrite.com/
Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration

10/09/2026

Today's the day! 🎉

The Arizona@Work Job Fair is happening TODAY at the Community Innovation Center!

Eric and Ethan have a few things they want you to know before you head our way.

📅 TODAY, October 9 | 10 AM–2 PM
📍 4251 Enterprise Way, Sierra Vista

Come explore job opportunities, connect with employers, and learn about free resources available through the Hive.

See you soon!

10/08/2026

Looking for a job? We've got more than employers waiting for you tomorrow!

The Hive at the Sierra Vista Community Innovation Center will be open during the Arizona At Work-Southeastern Arizona Job Fair TOMORROW! Listen to more from IDIA's The Hive at Sierra Vista CIC's Digital Navigator, Ethan, to learn about the resources available to help you in your job search.

Whether you're updating your resume, exploring new opportunities, or need a little help navigating the job search process, the Hive is here to help!

📅 Friday, October 9
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Community Innovation Center, 4251 Enterprise Way, Sierra Vista

Come meet local employers, explore opportunities, and stop by the Hive to see how their free resources can help you take your next step.
We hope to see you tomorrow!

10/06/2026

Are you looking for a new job or are you hiring? THIS FRIDAY we're happy to host the Arizona At Work-Southeastern Arizona Fall Hiring Fair from 10am - 2pm here at the Community Innovation Center! Whether you are looking for your next hire or your next role, this Friday the CIC is the place to be!
Contact Eric Grisham if you are an employer who would like to have a table.

10/06/2026

Last week, we shared a look at ARED Executive Director Mignonne Hollis’ trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City with The Chamber of Southern Arizona and regional leaders. We appreciate Herald/Review Media taking a deeper look at why these opportunities matter for Cochise County and rural Arizona.

We believe Cochise County belongs in the conversations shaping Southern Arizona’s economic future. Thank you to the Herald/Review for helping tell that story.

Read the full story below:

Mignonne Hollis met with leaders and site selectors in NYC and D.C. to boost rural Southern Arizona's economy.

09/28/2026

ARED Executive Director Mignonne Hollis recently joined a 30-member delegation of business executives, community leaders and elected officials from across Southern Arizona for the The Chamber of Southern Arizona’s Executive Leadership Trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

In Washington, the delegation met with members of Congress, federal agencies, and representatives from the Mexican and Canadian embassies to discuss issues impacting Southern Arizona’s economic future. Several conversations were especially relevant to Cochise County, including cross-border trade and commerce, USMCA, support for the Douglas Airport, small business resources, workforce needs and infrastructure.

The delegation’s meeting at the Embassy of Mexico also provided an opportunity to discuss the economic relationship between Arizona and Sonora and the importance of strengthening cross-border commerce. For Cochise County, where our communities and economies are deeply connected to Mexico, having a voice in those conversations matters.

In New York City, the delegation met with site selectors and media professionals to promote Southern Arizona’s assets and opportunities to those influencing business relocation and expansion decisions. The group also toured the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a former industrial property transformed into a thriving hub for more than 500 businesses and makers.

Economic development is built on relationships, and those relationships are built by showing up.

Cochise County is an important part of Southern Arizona’s economic story. ARED is proud to make sure our communities, businesses and opportunities are represented in the conversations shaping our region’s future.

Thank you to the Chamber of Southern Arizona for bringing Southern Arizona leaders together and creating opportunities to elevate our region on a national stage.

09/08/2026

Get to know our friends from the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration at The Hive at the Sierra Vista CIC!! Have you been to the Hive yet? What technology are you itching to learn how to use?
Thank you Coolfmlive and SSVEC for the spotlight!

08/05/2026

When federal policymakers take time to listen, rural voices have an opportunity to shape the future.

The Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation was pleased to welcome Steve Owen, Region 9 Advocate for the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, to Cochise County for a roundtable focused on our growing aerospace industry.

Hosted at the City of Benson, Arizona Municipal Airport, the discussion brought together aviation businesses, Cochise College, local government, airport leadership, and economic development partners to talk about both the opportunities and challenges facing our region.

Topics included:
• The growing demand for flight instructors and FAA-designated pilot examiners
• Regulatory challenges facing municipal airports, including barriers to developing small airport facilities
• The expanding role of the Benson Municipal Airport in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) testing
• Cochise College's new UAS pilot program and the importance of developing the workforce needed to support Arizona's growing aerospace industry

These conversations are exactly why regional collaboration matters. When local businesses, educators, and community leaders have the opportunity to share their experiences directly with federal policymakers, it helps ensure that rural communities are part of the conversation as policies are developed.

Thank you to Steve Owen and the SBA Office of Advocacy for visiting Cochise County and taking the time to hear directly from those working to grow Arizona's aerospace economy. We also appreciate the City of Benson's hospitality and all of our partners who participated in this important discussion.

07/29/2026

BIG NEWS!

The Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation has been selected as one of just 20 new Civic Hub grantees in the nation by the Trust for Civic Life.

This recognition affirms what we've long believed: when people come together across communities, sectors, and perspectives, they can solve problems and build a stronger future together.

Through this three-year investment, ARED will continue strengthening our role as a regional convener by creating opportunities for collaboration, expanding civic participation, and supporting community-driven solutions throughout Cochise County.

From Cochise Ignite to the Community Innovation Center, the Hive, workforce partnerships, and regional convenings, we've been working to create spaces where relationships grow, ideas take shape, and communities tackle challenges together.

We're honored to join a national network of Civic Hubs helping strengthen trust, agency, and belonging in rural America.

LEARN MORE: https://trustforciviclife.org/trust-for-civic-life-awards-7-6-million-to-20-new-civic-hubs/