Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation

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

06/02/2026

Next in our Series, hear from one of our newest Board Members, Chris Russell, on why he has decided to join the ARED Board.

Chris Russell is the founding attorney for The Russell’s Law Firm, PLC, which specializes in serious injury / wrongful death and criminal defense in Cochise County. Chris believes that lawyers should be an integral part of the community and speak out when the powers that be want silence. The firm represents those who have suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, as well as those accused of a crime.

Chris earned his business degree from Eastern Washington University, and his juris doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. He retired from the United States Army after service as an armor officer and career lawyer. He and his family settled in Sierra Vista in 2000 and chose to make Cochise County their home. He currently serves as Cochise County’s representative on the State Bar Board of Governors and is the Secretary / Treasurer for the State Bar. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Better Bucks of Sierra Vista, with a mission to improve life for those in need in the Sierra Vista community by funding and partnering with local social service providers. The non-profit organization operates three main programs: Better Bucks – a cash-like voucher system for purchasing essential goods, Better Work – workforce development and job readiness initiatives, and Better Meals – helping families and students pay for meals and reduce meal account debts. He also supports The Huachucans, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money and helping kids in Cochise County since 1985.

Chris also actively participates in the local aviation community and is a licensed pilot. He has taught Aviation Law at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and attended classes with the Cochise College Aviation Program. He is currently involved in developing better training programs for aviation students.

He and his family, enjoy traveling, sailing, skiing, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities together and from time-to-time get a little over-competitive, which keeps the parents young, or so they think.

05/27/2026

One of the most meaningful experiences during the SelectUSA Investment Summit was attending a reception at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., where conversations focused heavily on the strength and importance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship.

The Mexican Cultural Institute building itself tells the story of Mexico’s history through incredible murals spanning from ancient civilizations to modern day. It created a powerful setting for conversations about the economic relationship between the United States and Mexico.

We heard directly from Paul Dabbar, the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Commerce. He said, "There is no better place to celebrate the US - Mexico relationship than in this beautiful location that tells the story of our shared history."

Mexico remains the United States’ largest trading partner, and border regions like the Arizona-Sonora megaregion are uniquely positioned to help strengthen that relationship even further.

Throughout the summit, speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of the USMCA and the need to continue supporting strong cross-border trade and investment partnerships. For regions like southern Arizona, these conversations are not abstract policy discussions. They directly impact jobs, manufacturing, supply chains, entrepreneurship, logistics, and long-term economic opportunity.

At ARED, we strongly support efforts that encourage collaboration, investment, and economic partnership between the U.S. and Mexico. There are significant opportunities to grow industries, support innovation, strengthen supply chains, and attract investment that benefits communities on both sides of the border.

05/20/2026

Thank you to Terri Jo Neff and Herald/Review Media for highlighting ARED’s experience at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. as part of the inaugural Rural Designee program.

The summit created valuable opportunities to showcase southern Arizona, strengthen cross-border relationships, and participate in important conversations surrounding rural investment, manufacturing, trade, and the future of the Arizona-Sonora region.
Arizona Commerce Authority

Read more here:

Representatives of a Sierra Vista-based economic development group joined the Arizona Commerce Authority at a Washington, D.C., summit to promote rural competitiveness, cross-border USMCA trade, and foreign direct investment in the Arizona-Sonora megaregion.

05/15/2026

Members of our team recently attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit as part of the inaugural “Invest in Rural America” Rural Designee program.

Throughout the multi-day summit, ARED participated in discussions focused on manufacturing, site readiness, investment attraction, rural competitiveness, trade, entrepreneurship, and international business development.

Meetings included conversations with companies and organizations involved in aerospace and defense, staffing and workforce solutions, solar and energy industries, technology platforms, venture capital, and advanced manufacturing and more.

A key theme throughout the summit was the growing recognition that rural communities offer significant competitive advantages, particularly when communities are prepared to clearly communicate their assets, infrastructure, workforce, utility capacity, and development opportunities. Companies that have located in rural communities stated they are more accepting of cultural difference and are more flexible throughout the process.

ARED was also proud to participate as part of the Arizona delegation alongside the Arizona Commerce Authority and to connect with economic development leaders from rural communities across the country to share strategies and best practices.

05/03/2026

Our Executive Director and Assistant Economic Development Director participated in the pre-SelectUSA spin off forum with the Arizona Commerce Authority in preparation for the main event this week.

We enjoyed putting heads together with our fellow Economic Development professionals and meeting delegations from 16 different countries interested in bringing investment to our great state!

We'll see you this week at !

04/28/2026

ARED is fortunate to be led by a board that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community. This will be the first of our series, introducing board member Hannah Rainey!

Hannah Rainey works in an administrative leadership role at Rainey Pain & Performance, an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Sierra Vista. She has a background in healthcare, education, and small business, and enjoys finding ways to support employers and help things run more smoothly behind the scenes.

She earned her degree in Physical Education and Coaching from Brigham Young University, a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Wayland Baptist University, and a Fitness Business Management certificate from Sam Houston State University. Hannah serves on the City of Sierra Vista’s Economic Development Commission and is part of Cochise County’s Workforce Attraction Group, where she helps support local employers and strengthen the community long term.

She stays actively involved in the community through a mix of youth programs, local events, and service efforts. This includes participating in events like DECA and the Big Idea Blitz, as well as supporting local initiatives such as Cochise United and Club Cochise Volleyball. She also supports organizations like the Boys & Girls Club and Peach's Pantry, as well as education efforts through the University of Arizona South Foundation.

Hannah is also involved in employment support efforts through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and helps support small local efforts, including Sky Island Pickleball Club. She and her husband, Nick, are raising their four kids in Sierra Vista and care a lot about helping the community be a good place to live and work.

04/28/2026

ARED's Board President Ralph Robles and Board VP Heather Floyd recently attended the PEAC (Professional Educators Across Cochise) gathering, joining important discussions about increasing STEM opportunities in Cochise County for our students!
Thank you to Joseph Sepp Sprietsma!

04/27/2026

Our Executive Director, Mignonne Hollis, recently attended the 50th Anniversary of the SBA Office of Advocacy. Congratulations to this agency for reaching this milestone! We are grateful for all they do to help small businesses cut through red tape as well as conducting research and outreach that assists communities in providing effective business resources and support throughout our country.
Cheers to 50 years!
U.S. Small Business Administration

03/24/2026

Our Executive Director was recently named the Arizona-Mexico Commission Vice Chair. Last week, she joined Governor Katie Hobbs with the AMC delegation in Washington, D.C. to highlight the critical role of trade in the Arizona–Sonora Mega Region and to continue to advocate for the renewal of the USMCA.

ARED Executive Director Mignonne Hollis said of the trip, "Attending the Governors Fly-In event in Washington, D.C., to promote the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was one of the most valuable experiences I had during my trip. The event provided valuable insights from various perspectives on how we can effectively continue to advocate for the importance of the USMCA."