Arizona is currently targeting companies from the below industries.
Arizona Economic Development Team
Gillian Bowden
Geographic Information Systems, Economic Development Analyst
Arizona Commerce Authority
Ken Burns
Chief Operating Officer
Arizona Commerce Authority
Jack Bustamante
Vice President Of Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Shaun Cesario
Economic Development Research Analyst
Arizona Commerce Authority
Herbert Flores
Vice President Of Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Allison Grigg
Senior Vice President Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Andrew Knochel
Director Of Economic Development Research
Arizona Commerce Authority
Ryan Kosakowski
Vice President, Business Development (Economic Development, Workforce, Site Selection, Incentives)
Arizona Commerce Authority
Vic Narusis
Evp-Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Devin Patterson
Vice President Of Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Kathy Rodriguez
Director Of Small Business Services And Executive Director Of The Gcsb
Arizona Commerce Authority
Michael Rosas
Vice President Of Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Ryan Ruiz
Senior Vice President Business Development
Arizona Commerce Authority
Featured Profiles
Business and Tax Incentives in Arizona
Arizona has economic development incentives designed to attract and retain businesses, offering a competitive edge in today's global economy. These incentive programs range from tax credits and abatements to workforce training programs, tailored to support companies in various industries for sustainable growth and job creation.
Angel Investment
The principal objective of the Angel Investment program is to expand early stage investments in targeted Arizona small businesses. The program accomplishes this goal by providing tax credits to investors who make investments in small businesses certified by the Arizona Commerce Authority and by eliminating Arizona capital gains tax liabilities associated with the disposition of investments in those small businesses. To view the list of businesses that have been certified under this program please click here.
Foreign Trade Zone
Foreign-trade zones are designated sites licensed by the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board (Commerce Secretary is Chairperson) at which special customs procedures may be used. These procedures allow domestic activity involving foreign items to take place prior to formal customs entry. Duty-free treatment is accorded items that are re-exported and duty payment is deferred on items sold in the U.S. market, thus offsetting customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with producers located in the United States. Subzones/usage-driven sites are approved for a specific company/use. A site which has been granted zone status may not be used for zone activity until the site or a section thereof has been separately approved for FTZ activation by local U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, and the zone activity remains under the supervision of CBP. FTZ sites and facilities remain within the jurisdiction of local, state or federal governments or agencies.
Healthy Forest
The primary goal of the Healthy Forest Enterprise incentive (A.R.S. § 41-1516) is to promote forest health in Arizona. This is achieved by providing incentives for certified businesses that are primarily engaged in harvesting, processing or transporting of qualifying forest products:Use Fuel Tax ReductionTransaction Privilege Tax Exemption(TPT Exemption) on:Purchased qualifying equipmentLeased or rented qualifying equipmentConstruction contractsEquipment repair partsMotor vehicle fuel and use fuelUse Tax Exemption on:Qualifying equipment purchased out-of-stateEquipment repair partsMotor vehicle fuel and use fuelProperty Tax ReductionEmployment Income Tax Credit – Arizona income tax credit earned over a three-year period for each net new job created, totaling up to $3,000 per employeeProduction Income Tax Credits – For taxable years beginning from and after December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2030, a tax credit is allowed for processing qualifying forest products. The credit amount is equal to: $10,000 for the first twenty thousand tons of qualifying forest products the taxpayer processes in a calendar year, and $5,000 for every ten thousand tons thereafter.
Arizona Finance Authority
The Arizona Finance Authority (AFA) is a one-stop shop for financing, supporting expanding and relocating businesses, communities’ infrastructure needs, and homebuyers. The AFA is committed to providing a streamlined, predictable process, getting borrowers the affordable financing they need more quickly.With the AFA’s Arizona Industrial Development Authority, private borrowers can reduce their financing costs by issuing tax-exempt bonds. The AzIDA also offers eligible Arizona homebuyers assistance with their down payment and closing costs. For political subdivisions seeking financing for public facilities, the AFA’s Greater Arizona Development Authority can help lower costs and accelerate project development.On August 6, 2016, the Arizona Industrial Development Authority succeeded the Arizona Health Facilities Authority, the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and the Arizona International Development Authority. For any questions, please contact the AFA management team.
Venture Ready Accelerator
The Venture Ready Accelerator program connects Arizona talent with rich resources, partnering an entrepreneur with a seasoned CEO to coach them through a series of five rigorous panels over a 12-month period, resulting in a stronger business model.The panels focus on intake, marketing, finance, dry run and final/graduation. In each panel, the company pitches its business model to a team of CEOs and professional experts and receives specific points of feedback that identify gaps and strategic opportunities.
Virtual Accelerator
The Virtual Accelerator is a 12-week venture development program tailored to the needs of early-stage startups. With a streamlined online framework, the Virtual Accelerator’s course content and mentorship opportunities empower founders to grow their businesses, pursue venture financing, and craft competitive applications for other programs.Founders in the accelerator are paired with an expert coach who provides mentorship, support, and guidance. These mentors are community partners with deep experience building, scaling, and exiting successful startups. As part of Arizona’s ecosystem tools to enhance innovation in the state, the Virtual Accelerator utilizes the ACA Arizona Innovation Network (ACA IN), an asynchronous resource library and networking hub.c
Sbir/Sttrresource Center
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation. These highly competitive programs advance commercialization and research and development opportunities for startups and small businesses.The Arizona Commerce Authority has aggregated a collection of SBIR/STTR resources to mobilize and equip the state's startups and small businesses to successfully compete for federal research opportunities.
Institute Of Automated Mobility
IAM is pioneering what is becoming the national playbook for a safe and scalable transition to automated vehicles. The consortium brings together experts from the private industry, government and academia. With a strategic, forward-thinking roadmap, IAM provides the technical guidance and coordination to deploy automation to significantly increase safety and efficiency.
Science Foundation Arizona
Science Foundation Arizona is a 501(c)(3), public-private non-profit organization dedicated to diversifying and strengthening Arizona’s economy by supporting mission-driven research. The Arizona Commerce Authority and Science Foundation Arizona have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate industry-education collaboration and pursue external funding opportunities. Together, the two organizations will work to energize next-gen talent while growing and attracting industries of the future.
State Trade Expansion Program
The Arizona Commerce Authority has partnered with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to facilitate the Arizona State Trade Expansion Program (AZSTEP). AZSTEP assists Arizona small businesses in entering export markets for the first time or expanding into new markets.
Small Business Services
Small Business Services (SBS) has a dual focus. First, to provide information on business licensing and statewide resources for every stage of business development, and second, to serve as an advocate by developing policies and programs addressing the needs of small businesses. Small Business Services works closely with small business owners, entrepreneurs, government officials, community leaders and business organizations.
Small Business Digital Academy
Navigating websites, Google profiles, and social media can be challenging for new entrepreneurs. The Arizona Commerce Authority has designed the Small Business Digital program, a comprehensive three-week initiative to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to take control of their business's online presence and drive success. Entrepreneurs and small business owners will learn strategies for website, social media, e-commerce, search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics tools to represent their business online effectively. Small business experts guide the live learning sessions on Monday of each week.
Qualified Facility
The Qualified Facility tax credit (A.R.S. § 41-1512) was established by the Arizona Legislature in to promote the location and expansion of headquarters facilities or manufacturing facilities, including manufacturing-related research & development. The goal of the program is to encourage business investment that will produce high-quality employment opportunities for the citizens of Arizona and enhance Arizona’s position as a center for corporate headquarters, commercial research, and manufacturing. The Program accomplishes this goal by providing a refundable tax credit to taxpayers who are expanding or locating a Qualified Facility in Arizona.The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) may authorize up to $125 million per calendar year in tax credits to qualified companies through December 2030. The tax credits will be authorized on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a priority placement number assigned by the ACA at the time of Pre-Approval. Download the Tax Credit Allocation Table to view the amount of tax credits available this year.Subject to eligibility requirements, the Qualified Facility tax credit offers a refundable income tax credit equal to the lesser of:10% of the qualifying capital investment or$20,000 per net new job at the facility if the total qualifying investment is less than $2,000,000,000, or $30,000 per net new full-time employment position associated with the facility if the total qualifying investment is more than $2,000,000,000, or$30,000,000 per taxpayer per year.
Computer Data Center Program
The objective of this program is to encourage computer data center (CDC) operation and expansion in Arizona. The Program accomplishes this objective by providing Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) and Use Tax exemptions at the state, county and local levels, on qualifying purchases of CDC Equipment. The CDC incentive is administered by the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR).
Lease Excise
The Government Property Lease Excise Tax ("GPLET") has been established by the State of Arizona and is a redevelopment tool to initiate development by reducing a project's operating costs by replacing the real property tax with an excise tax. Under the state statute an excise tax is established for the building type of use and is calculated on the gross square footage of the building. The use of the excise tax cannot continue for more than twenty-five years and requires that the land and improvements conveyed to a government entity and leased back for private use. The excise tax rate can be abated for the first eight years after a certificate of occupancy on the building is issued if the property is located within a Central Business District and a Redevelopment Area.
Research & Development
The Research and Development (R&D) incentive provides an Arizona income tax credit for increased research and development activities conducted in this state, including research conducted at a state university and funded by the company. The goal is to encourage Arizona businesses to continue investing in research and development activities.
Sales Tax Exemptions For Manufacturing
Exemptions are available for:Machinery or equipment used directly in manufacturing, see A.R.S. § 42-5159(B)(1).Machinery, equipment or transmission lines used directly in producing or transmitting electrical power, but not including distribution, see A.R.S. § 42-5159(B)(4).Machinery or equipment used in research and development, see A.R.S. § 42-5159(B)(15).The electricity or natural gas for businesses that are principally engaged in manufacturing or smelting operations. See A.R.S. §§ 42-5063(C)(6) and 42-5159(G).Questions can be directed to the Arizona Department of Revenue at 602-255-3381.Learn more.
Arizona Advanced Technology Network
Preparing Arizona for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow.Emerging technologies have evolved the manufacturing industry, leading to a surplus of advanced positions. As a response, the state’s private companies, public sector and academic institutions came together to create a first-of-its-kind partnership called the Arizona Advanced Technology Network. The goal? Continue preparing Arizona’s workforce for the future.
The Future48 Workforce Accelerators
In Arizona, the future is here. The Future48 Workforce Accelerators represent Arizona’s latest workforce advancement, connecting students with the skills and know-how needed for jobs in the state’s growing advanced manufacturing industry.
Navigator
The Arizona Commerce Authority's Navigator offers no-cost talent acquisition assistance to companies moving to or expanding in Arizona. In fact, Arizona is one of the few states to assist in the navigation of federal workforce programs as well as building strategic partnerships between your company and vital community organizations. Navigator services provided at no charge include:Immediate access to job-ready talent poolsJob postings on statewide job board -- typically 5 occupations for 4 monthsCustom recruiting services such as resume screening & social media promotionAssist in creating strategic partnershipsDirect hire recruitment strategySkill assessments and talent screeningsAssistance navigating state/federal
Arizona Innovation Challenge
The Arizona Innovation Challenge, one of the largest business plan competitions in the country, is designed to advance innovation and technology commercialization opportunities in Arizona by assisting early-stage ventures to scale.Up to ten companies are selected to join the portfolio in each round and are required to complete the Venture Ready Accelerator program, a rigorous process designed to provide mentorship and training as they continue to scale.
Arizona’S Proptech Sandbox Program
Arizona has established a global reputation as the best state in the nation to test, launch and scale new ideas and new business models. In 2019, legislation established the first property technology sandbox in the United States, giving visionary thinkers a platform to test unique, tech-based property services and products.
Advanced Manufacturing Facilities Grant
The Arizona Advanced Manufacturing Facilities Grant (AMF) is a partnership with Arizona State University. The grant provides discounted access to ASU's established Core Facilities for semiconductor and hard-materials startup companies that are not current users or users with light facility usage. We will provide a 1:1 match of Core Facility usage (up to $75,000 per company), lowering the financial entry barrier by half.
Small Business Boot Camp
The Arizona Commerce Authority – supported by a dynamic group of community partners — has launched a statewide initiative to help Arizona’s small businesses prepare for success, plan for the future, and grow into thriving businesses. Through virtual webinars and hands-on workshops, local business leaders and subject matter experts will provide real-time support and available resources across Arizona.
Arizona State Small Business Credit Initiative
The State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a federal program administered by the Department of Treasury to strengthen state programs that support private financing of socially and economically disadvantaged businesses (SEDI-owned businesses).Treasury approved Arizona’s application to implement three programs under the SSBCI Initiative:Arizona Loan Guarantee ProgramArizona Venture Co-InvestArizona Multi-Fund VentureSummary information about the programs is provided below.
Reviews
State Reviews are coming soon! In the meantime, you can see reviews of Arizona cities using the button below.
FAQs
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