Arizona Commerce Authority Celebrates National Small Business Week

PHOENIX, AZ (May 5, 2022) – The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is celebrating National Small Business Week through May 7, 2022.

Arizona is home to 611,097 small businesses, representing 99.5% of Arizona businesses. The 1.1 million small business employees in Arizona represent 42.9% of the state’s employees, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.

Arizona small business employment grew by 44.4% between 1994 and 2018, which exceeded the national small business employment growth rate.

Arizona has added more than 18,500 business establishments between 2015 and 2020.

"The ACA is proud to celebrate Small Business Week and recognize Arizona’s hard-working entrepreneurs, small business owners and employees who continuously drive our economy forward,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We look forward to supporting more small businesses in the future with resources like the Arizona Small Business Boot Camp to help them grow and succeed.”

Last week, the ACA celebrated the 2-year anniversary of the Small Business Boot Camp, a first-of-its-kind program that connects entrepreneurs and small business leaders with local experts who provide support, guidance and resources. Launched on April 27, 2020 as a six-week program, the Small Business Boot Camp spans 97 weeks, 234 sessions and 180 speakers with over 11,000 attendees representing all 15 Arizona counties. Nearly 800 attendees have participated in the Small Business Boot Camp in 2022 alone.

The Arizona Commerce Authority also proudly supports Governor Ducey’s Back to Work Small Business Rehiring and Retention Program that fosters small business growth and helps fill thousands of jobs throughout the state. The program assists small, locally owned or operated businesses by providing them with up to $10,000 to hire and retain employees and help fund employee hiring/signing bonuses, relocation bonuses, and employee retention bonuses.

The Back to Work Small Business Rehiring and Retention Program recently received a new $5 million round of funding for small businesses that meet eligibility requirements. Applications are being accepted through May 13.

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.