The Arizona Commerce Authority offers a wide range of programming to support small businesses around the state such as the Small Business Checklist, the Small Business Academy, the State Small Business Credit Initiative and the Small Business Boot Camp.
Small businesses in the state
of the state's total business
Small business employees
In the Nation for
Fastest-Growing Small Businesses
The Arizona Small Business Checklist is a free interactive tool to help guide business owners to launch, operate and scale their business. Explore all the resources available in the checklist with the help of the virtual assistant SALLI.
PERSONALIZE YOUR CHECKLIST PERSONALIZE YOUR CHECKLIST
The Arizona State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program supports small businesses by improving their access to capital. The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to help small businesses grow and create jobs. The program provides funding to state programs that partner with private lenders to extend capital to small businesses that might not otherwise have access to loans or investment capital.
APPLY FOR SSBCI APPLY FOR SSBCI
Arizona’s Small Business Academy equips small businesses across the state with the knowledge to scale their business. The Arizona Commerce Authority works with experienced and successful business owners to share their insights and strategies with entrepreneurs and SMBs. These courses are often out of reach and the Academy aims to provide the resources and close the knowledge gap completely free of charge.
JOIN THE ACADEMY JOIN THE ACADEMY
The Arizona Small Business Boot Camp is a statewide initiative to help Arizona’s small businesses grow and thrive. Local business leaders and subject matter experts provide real-time support and available resources through virtual webinars and hands-on workshops.
VIEW VIRTUAL WEBINARS VIEW VIRTUAL WEBINARSArizona Business One Stop is a secure, user-friendly portal that helps entrepreneurs and business owners quickly plan, start and grow their businesses in Arizona. By centralizing tasks across multiple state agencies, the platform streamlines processes like business registration, licensing and compliance. Whether launching a new venture or expanding an existing operation, users can save time and reduce paperwork with a single, simplified experience, all in one place.
The Arizona Small Business Growth Coalition (SBGC) is a statewide alliance of six trusted organizations dedicated to helping small businesses across Arizona start, grow and thrive. Led by the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Coalition brings together service providers who align resources, share data and collaborate to create measurable impact. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy.
SCALE (Strategic Coaching for Advancing Local Entrepreneurs) is a statewide initiative developed by the Arizona Small Business Association in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority to help Arizona's small businesses start strong, grow sustainably, and access new opportunities.
PHOENIX, AZ (June 25, 2026) – To further strengthen the growing relationship between Arizona and Canada, dignitaries and leaders from both regions gathered to mark the opening of the new Canada Consulate office in Phoenix with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception held on June 24, 2026. Governor Katie Hobbs joined Mark Wiseman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States; Sylvie Bédard, Consul General a.i. of Canada in Los Angeles; Ali Ehsassi, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy (Canada-U.S. Trade); Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, and local government, economic development, business and community leaders to celebrate the office opening.
READ MORE about Governor Hobbs Joins Canadian Leaders To Celebrate Opening Of Canada Consulate Office In Arizona »PHOENIX, AZ (June 17, 2026) – Following another year of major economic development wins highlighted by historic investments, significant expansions and rapid economic growth, Arizona received a prestigious “Gold Shovel” award from Area Development Magazine in the 5-8 million state population category, marking the sixth year in a row that Arizona has received a gold shovel. The Shovel Awards recognize states that “garnered large job-creating and investment projects through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, and other processes that attracted new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities.” In addition, Area Development named Amkor’s $7 billion advanced packaging and testing expansion project in Peoria and Axon’s Scottsdale headquarters expansion as “Projects of the Year.”
READ MORE about Arizona Wins Sixth Straight Gold Shovel Award Recognizing Economic Development Excellence »