Small Business.Big Ideas.
SIMPLE AND ACCESSIBLE SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS TO BUILD A THRIVING BUSINESS DISTRICT
ROLLING APPLICATIONS WITH MULTIPLE FUNDING DATES.
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Our goal is to help support or kickstart great businesses and creative innovations for Tucson's Rio Nuevo District. With flexible capital and reduced barriers for applications, Rio Nuevo is empowering micro-entrepreneurs to dream big.
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Grants funds up to $25,000 per business.
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The application process is straightforward and reporting is hassle-free. ​​
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We accept rolling applications with multiple funding dates for added flexibility.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN DEC 1
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Tucson's small and micro-business are critical for our economy, our culture, and our community.
We are excited to be able to offer highly flexible capital to support your
small businesses needs. We are looking to invest in high-impact
projects that are ready to launch.
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Below are just a few of the ways the capital can be used.
Please review our eligibility for full information.
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STARTUP CAPITAL
We are looking to support entrepreneurs who have a great idea for a new business start or who have just launched in the last two years.
GROWTH CAPITAL
Existing businesses located in the Rio Nuevo District can apply for funding for a project that will help increase their companies revenue or success.
CREATIVE CAPITAL
We looking for creative and innovative projects that will activate the Rio Nuevo District and bring foot traffic to the area.
EQUITABLE CAPITAL
Our primary focus is on providing capital to projects and companies that struggle to secure capital from other sources. We have an emphasis on funding underrepresented small businesses.
Rio Nuevo District
In order to receive funding, your project or business must be located in the Rio Nuevo District.
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If you business is a mobile company, at least 75% of your revenue must come from the Rio Nuevo District.
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Please use the mapping tool to identify if your project falls within the District bounds.
Our funding is restricted to this area so if your projects does not qualify as a Rio Nuevo project, your application will be disqualified.
About
A public nonprofit driving over $2 billion dollars of economic impact for Tucson.
Rio Nuevo's mission is to revitalize downtown Tucson to create a vibrant, urban environment where residents and visitors can live, stay, work and play, allowing us to compete with cities like Austin, Portland and San Diego for citizens and tourists seeking an urban destination: safe, walkable, artistic and fun, complete with great food and music.
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Rio Nuevo Funding
Rio Nuevo funds are generated from a portion of state sales tax from businesses in the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District. The District boundaries include the west side of I-10 at Congress Street, downtown Tucson and Broadway Boulevard to Park Place Mall. These state funds – currently set by Arizona legislature to be collected through 2035 – are managed and invested by the Rio Nuevo Board of Directors, appointed by the Arizona Governor, state Senate president and speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives.
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Driving Investment & Development
Rio Nuevo is an economic engine and a city builder that drives jobs and long-term growth by helping defray the steep costs of major projects: new development and property improvements that will benefit Tucson in the long view but come at a price today.
Rio Nuevo has teamed up with Groundswell Capital, a nonprofit lender, to deliver impactful grants that support innovative businesses, strengthen the local economy, create quality jobs, and foster a thriving, inclusive community for the City of Tucson.​
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