The City of Mesa's Office of Economic Development (OED) was recently awarded two Golden Prospector Awards from the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED). In the category of Economic Development Deal of the Year, Mesa OED won for the ElectraMeccanica project. In the category of Economic Development Programs, Mesa OED won for the Mesa CARES HUUB Digital Platform for Small Business.
"I am pleased to see the hard work of our economic development team and partners being recognized by AAED," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "It's truly an affirmation of the great things taking place in Mesa."
June 2021, ElectraMeccanica, a designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles, announced it had selected Mesa for its U.S.-based assembly facility and engineering technical center. The project is expected to create up to 500 new jobs. Mesa OED in partnership with community and state partners assisted ElectraMeccanica in its decision to select Mesa.
Mesa CARES HUUB was created as an online learning and interactive networking platform which expands resources to small businesses, especially those in under-represented communities. Designed specifically to help small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic, particularly micro-businesses and establishment owners who did not have existing relationships with banks or other service providers, to access tools to recover and rebuild. Mesa OED in partnership with Cohoots+ and other community partners developed and successfully delivered the program to Mesa small businesses affected by the pandemic.
The Golden Prospector Awards were established by AAED to encourage and recognize excellence, innovation, and creativity in economic development.
"We are honored to be recognized by AAED for these Golden Prospector Awards," said City of Mesa Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak. "These awards reflect a true partnership among community stakeholders and our economic development team to help businesses large and small locate and be successful in Mesa."
Serving as the leading statewide advocate for responsible economic development in Arizona since 1974, AAED's foundation has been rooted in education, advocacy, and collaboration to affect positive change and increase Arizona's competitive position to attract investment and create jobs. www.AAED.com
Contact: Kim Lofgreen
Tel. 480-644-3962
kim.lofgreen@mesaaz.gov