Gardens are sanctuaries that help plants grow, the same principle that the Sierra Vista Industrial Development Authority (IDA), the City of Sierra Vista, and the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce want to promote co-working space Cochise Economics. park.
Demetry Simonton, president of the City of Sierra Vista’s Industrial Development Authority, said it helps support local nonprofits and businesses by providing free spaces to come together and work.
“A lot of companies need a place they can go to from time to time,” says Simonton. “So it was a challenge to have a place that was quiet and had the necessary resources and facilities, wasn’t it? increase.”
This is a partnership involving the City of Sierra Vista’s Department of Industrial Development, the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, the City of Sierra Vista, and the Cochise County Superintendent of Education, Simonton said.
Cochise County Superintendent of Education Dr. Jacqui Clay’s New Crossroads Academy, an accommodation aimed at helping high school dropouts earn their diplomas, will provide laptops for the facility, Simonton said.
“So if you’re a business or a nonprofit and you don’t have a laptop or a computer, you can use it,” says Simonton. “We have a media center where we can do video production and audio recording. Now there is an outdoor area. ”
Simonton said the equipment was donated by a facility in Phoenix, along with more than $21,000 worth of desks and cubicles. He said the total cost of the project, including the renovation of the building, is about $60,000.
Simonton said IDA will issue industrial revenue bonds on behalf of companies. He said the IDA has issued more than $50 million worth of industrial revenue bonds over the past two years.
Simonton said the fees IDA received from the bond went to an economic development fund established jointly with the city of Sierra Vista. He said those fees from bond issuance funded the economic garden.
Melanie Edwards Burton, CEO of the Sierra Vista Chamber of Commerce, said space is limited for budding businesses.
“A lot of business is now done virtually, but some businesses still need a place to work or meet,” said Edwards-Barton. “So in supporting all the young businesses out there, it’s so important to give them a place to think and collaborate in order to give them that opportunity.”
Tony Boone, economic development manager for the City of Sierra Vista, said the Economic Garden’s goal is to improve the economic dynamics of the region.
“Pursuing this entire ecosystem is another tribute, another tool, another place, and indeed it is,” said Boone. “We’re going to cover the pitch contest we’re working with the Economic Garden, the (University of Arizona Innovation Center) incubator, and Moonshot (another Flagstaff nonprofit). To put all of this in context, it really is about stirring the pot. I’m trying to ignite the flames.”
Boone continued, “We’re all in different roles at different times. But ultimately, we’re looking to improve the economic impetus of Sierra Vista and Cochise County.”
Currently, the Economic Garden Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Simonton said.
“This is a great space that they have for free,” said Edwards-Barton. “It’s always difficult for young businesses. They don’t have the financial resources. It is an opportunity for
Simonton added that the future goal is to make the Economic Garden a 24-hour facility and is considering applying for a grant to fund the keycode door.
The Economic Gardens is located on the east side of the Catholic Community Services Building in Suite B of California Route 90-6049.
