Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation

Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation has been expanding and developing sustainable indust

Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation (AREDF) is a non-profit organization that focuses on specific economic pillars: Aerospace, Healthcare, Defense and International Relations. AREDF also provides affordable, fully functional office space where startup and small preexisting businesses can stabilize and grow.

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!

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

BIG NEWS!The Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation has been selected as one of just 20 new Civic Hub grantees...
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/

Ready to grow your business but not sure where to start with funding?Join us at the Community Innovation Center for 'Fun...
07/20/2026

Ready to grow your business but not sure where to start with funding?

Join us at the Community Innovation Center for 'Funding Your Business: Navigating Funding Readiness for Arizona Entrepreneurs' an interactive workshop designed to help Cochise County entrepreneurs prepare to access capital and financing opportunities through Arizona's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 11, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Community Innovation Center in Sierra Vista.

Whether you're launching a new business or looking to expand, you'll learn:
• What it means to be "capital ready"
• How to strengthen your financial documents
• What lenders are looking for
• Financing options available in Arizona
• Technical assistance and local business resources

This is a great opportunity to connect with experts and local business support organizations while taking the next step toward securing funding for your business!

Register today: https://app.livestorm.co/prestamos-cdfi/funding-your-business-navigating-funding-readiness-for-arizona-entrepreneurs-28

07/02/2026

Some of the very best Independence Day celebrations don't happen in big cities. They happen in small towns. We've rounded up Fourth of July celebrations happening throughout our communities so you can get out, explore, and enjoy everything our small towns have to offer. Wherever you celebrate, we hope it's filled with family, friends, and memories that last a lifetime.

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸If you ask us, there's no better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than in a small ...
07/02/2026

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

If you ask us, there's no better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than in a small town.

Across Cochise County, neighbors will line Main Streets before the sun comes up, kids will decorate their bikes, families will gather for parades, local bands will play in the park, and fireworks will light the desert sky. That's the heart of America, and you'll find it right here this weekend.

We've rounded up Fourth of July celebrations happening throughout our communities so you can get out, explore, and enjoy everything our small towns have to offer.

Here's to 250 years of history, and to the small towns that continue to keep these traditions alive. Have a safe, happy, and memorable Fourth of July!

06/29/2026

Next up in our ARED Board Spotlights, we are highlighting Gayle Berry, Executive Director of Willcox Theater and Arts. She is an engineer by education, who fuses the connections between arts, creativity, engineering and quality of life. She has taught at The Ohio State University and worked in diverse industries including manufacturing, financial, and advertising. She and her husband Ron have resided in the Willcox, Arizona area for more than 25 years.

Thank you for your board service and for all you do to enrich the community of Willcox!

06/15/2026

This month, we're shining the spotlight on Bernadette Harris, a Navy veteran, licensed insurance agent, and Community Innovation Center Small Business tenant dedicated to helping individuals navigate their healthcare options with confidence and clarity.

Driven by a passion for service, Bernadette brings compassion, integrity, and a commitment to empowering others through education and informed decision-making. In this video, she shares a little about her work, her business journey, and the impact the Community Innovation Center has had on her success.

We're proud to support entrepreneurs and small businesses like Bernadette's as they grow, serve our community, and make a difference every day.

Did you know that the Nogales ports of entry facilitate more than $34 billion in international trade each year?Despite a...
06/09/2026

Did you know that the Nogales ports of entry facilitate more than $34 billion in international trade each year?

Despite a population of just 22,000, Nogales serves as one of Arizona's most important gateways for trade, connecting businesses, supply chains, and consumers across the US and Mexico.

ARED's Executive Director Mignonne Hollis, also serves as the Vice Chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission, who recently joined leaders from across Arizona for a visit to Nogales, where participants had the opportunity to learn more about the community's critical role in international commerce and Arizona's economy.

Thank you to the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority, the City of Nogales, and all of the local leaders who helped showcase the importance of this vital trade corridor.

Our Assistant Economic Development Director Sarah Pacheco had a great time joining the First Watch Radio Program to talk...
06/03/2026

Our Assistant Economic Development Director Sarah Pacheco had a great time joining the First Watch Radio Program to talk about our !

They discussed how the Community Innovation Center is serving as a hub for collaboration, professional development, meetings, conferences, and community events. Program hosts asked about the IDIA's The Hive at Sierra Vista CIC, which offers free digital skills training, technology access, and workforce support right here in Sierra Vista.

Whether you're looking for a meeting space, a place to host an event, coworking space, or resources to help you grow personally or professionally, the Community Innovation Center is here for you.

Thank you to the Cochise County Sheriff's Office - Mark J. Dannels Sheriff and First Watch for helping us share the story of this exciting resource and the impact it's having across the region. You can listen in, the link is live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tr5kb1N-DQ

Address

750 Bartow Drive, Ste 16
Sierra Vista, AZ
85635

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(520) 458-6948

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