Economic Development Toolkit Workshop

Last week, the CATALYST had the pleasure of hosting an insightful workshop led by the Town of Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development on Economic Development Toolkit. The session focused on one critical theme: how small business growth fuels the local economy and strengthens the community. With a deep dive into the tools and programs available, business owners walked away equipped with practical resources to support their next steps.

Mike from the Town of Gilbert walked participants through the key initiatives designed to foster small business success. Here’s a snapshot of what was covered:

MCCCD Scholarships

Gilbert is investing in its people. The Gilbert Next Level Resident Career Training Scholarship helps residents and Gilbert business owners pursue high-demand programs through the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). This opportunity opens the door to upskilling and career advancement, right here in our community.

Next Level Gilbert HUUB

Think of this as your one-stop-shop for local business resources. The HUUB platform offers access to grants, a learning library, one-on-one advising with local experts, funding opportunities, and community events. It’s all hyper-local, focused on Gilbert business owners, and built to centralize support in a single, user-friendly platform.

Green Gilbert Partnership

Sustainability meets savings with the Green Gilbert Partnership. This initiative helps businesses reduce their environmental impact while unlocking cost-saving benefits. Once certified, businesses are featured on the Town's website—gaining visibility and showing customers their commitment to sustainability.

SizeUp Tool

Curious about your competition? Wondering where to advertise? The SizeUp Tool gives business owners access to real-time data on local market conditions, competitors, demographic insights, and advertising strategies. It’s like having a personal data analyst for your business.

Taking Care of Small Business (TCSB)

Navigating the development and permitting process can be a hurdle for new business owners. TCSB offers guidance through the Town's procedures to help make starting and growing a business more straightforward and less intimidating.

Discover Gilbert

Tourism plays a big role in boosting local business. Discover Gilbert promotes local events and attractions, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore everything Gilbert has to offer. This program collaborates closely with Parks & Recreation and works to drive traffic to local businesses.

Throughout the workshop, participants were reminded that the Town of Gilbert is more than just a municipality—it’s a partner in business. The Office of Economic Development offers valuable data, insights on regional workforce trends, real estate analytics, and tourism numbers, all to help businesses make informed decisions and thrive.

If you’re a Gilbert business owner, now is the time to tap into these resources. Growth is within reach—and Gilbert is here to help you get there.