Behind every storefront light left on late at night is a family taking a risk. In Tucson, where nearly 80 percent of businesses have ten employees or fewer, that risk defines our local economy. We often say small businesses are the backbone of our city — at ribbon cuttings, in speeches, and in policy conversations. But too often, the systems designed to support them are created without taking the time to truly listen to their experiences. In 2022, the Tucson IDA initiated a Capital Landscape...

Southern Arizona is powered by builders, makers, and tradespeople whose skills shape the neighborhoods we live in. Yet for many aspiring contractors and small business owners—especially Latino, bilingual, and first-generation entrepreneurs—the path into the skilled trades can feel out of reach. High upfront costs, limited access to capital, and a lack of business training too often become barriers that stop talented people before they ever begin. Thanks to a newly awarded FHLBank San...

Groundswell Capital has been nationally recognized by ICLEI USA and the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance as part of a $13M investment in local climate solutions. This milestone highlights Arizona’s leadership in advancing climate resilience and economic justice through accessible, community-driven funding.