May Economic Development ENEWS

Current News

Scottsdale named top spot for Entrepreneurs

In WalletHub's recent comparison of 100 U.S. cities, Scottsdale secured the top spot in Arizona for launching a business—highlighting its reputation as a thriving hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.


Scottsdale had a strong showing across key categories—ranking 5th nationally for access to resources, 12th for business environment, and 78th for business costs. These rankings reflect the city’s support network and high quality of life making it an ideal destination for startups and growing companies alike.

 Jet OUT Lands in Scottsdale

Scottsdale Airport has welcomed Jet OUT, a Wisconsin-based private aviation company, as its third U.S. base. This strategic expansion underscores Scottsdale's growing presence in the private aviation sector.


Jet OUT's growth in Scottsdale is expected to boost local economic development, offering enhanced connectivity and luxury travel options for the region. The company's decision to establish operations at the Scottsdale Airport reflects the city's appeal as a hub for business and leisure aviation.

Scottsdale Earns Prestigious AEDO Reaccreditation, Reinforcing Commitment to Excellence

The Scottsdale Economic Development Department has once again earned the prestigious Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).


This recognition places Scottsdale among just 86 organizations worldwide that meet the highest standards of excellence, professionalism, and impact in the field of economic development. The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, program, and staff of the candidate economic development organization. 


This accreditation underscores Scottsdale’s commitment to excellence and leadership in economic development.

ASBA Launches SCALE Program to Empower Arizona Entrepreneurs

The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, has introduced the Strategic Coaching for Advancing Local Entrepreneurs (SCALE) program. This initiative offers a two-part approach to bolster Arizona's small business ecosystem:


Educational & Business Roadshow: Bringing essential business education and resources directly to underserved communities across the state through hands-on workshops led by experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.


SCALE to Profitability: An intensive six-month program where participants refine their business models, develop funding and growth strategies, and prepare to pitch their ventures to a panel of Arizona investors, bankers, and industry leaders during the program’s culminating Pitch Day.


Whether you're launching a new business or aiming to scale an existing one, SCALE provides the tools and mentorship to drive success.

Upcoming Events

Arizona Restaurant Week

May 16-25, 2025


Arizona Restaurant Week is back, and it’s the perfect excuse to explore Scottsdale’s vibrant culinary scene! This statewide celebration invites food lovers to step outside their usual routine and savor everything from Southwest favorites and global cuisine to upscale fine dining and cozy comfort food.


With over 160 restaurants participating across Arizona—including many right here in Scottsdale—it’s a great time to support local businesses and discover new favorites. So bring your appetite and get ready to dig in!

Small Business Boot Camp - Funding for Your Small Business

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

9:00 a.m.

Webinar


Sourcing funds for small business is a full-time job for business owners. During this Arizona Commerce Authority session, participants will learn about the different types of funding options and requirements for small business owners. Businesses will have the opportunities to work with Chicanos Por La Causa and understand how to prepare for funding by leveraging the State Small Business Credit Initiatives Technical Assistance program (SSBCI TA).

June Days

June 1 - 30, 2025

Throughout Old Town Scottsdale


Longer days and cooler evenings make June the perfect time to enjoy all that Old Town Scottsdale has to offer. Take full advantage of quieter streets while supporting the small businesses, restaurants, and galleries that help define the area’s unique charm.


June Days brings you over 100 events and activities all month long including the Tournament of Treats, Stadium Tours, Stories & Sweets and Yoga Morning Powered by lululemon. Come celebrate community, creativity, and connection. It’s a great reminder of why Scottsdale is such a vibrant place to live—and a great time to explore, engage, and support local.

Innovation on Display at Freeway Tech Talent Summit + Startup World Cup AZ


The Freeway Tech Talent Summit + Startup World Cup AZ was recently held in Scottsdale showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation. The event brought together top regional talent, startups, investors, and community leaders.


Scottsdale Economic Development was proud to support this exciting initiative that combined pitch competitions, thought-provoking panels, and meaningful networking opportunities.


A special thank you to Mayor Lisa Borowsky and CIO Bianca Lochner for representing the City of Scottsdale and contributing to the event's success.

Scottsdale Company Spotlight 

Affinaquest powers higher education institutions and academic medical centers to boost constituent engagement and drive lasting philanthropy. Our Salesforce-based CRM and data management solutions deliver advanced data insights, predictive analytics, and robust data management capabilities that enable institutions to personalize donor outreach, unlock incremental revenue growth, and achieve long-term sustainability. Affinaquest leads the evolution of CRM solutions and data-driven philanthropy for a changing institutional landscape.a.


“Affinaquest is proud to call SkySong, ASU’s Scottsdale Innovation Center, home. As one of our longest-tenured clients in both advancement and athletics, ASU keeps us closely connected to the evolving needs of higher education. This dynamic environment fuels collaboration and innovation, accelerating Affinaquest’s ability to deliver relevant and impactful software to the higher education community.” David Marr – CEO, Affinaquest

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