This program helps local businesses grow by continuing to invest in the community.
Local businesses are an important part of Flagstaff. They create jobs, drive our economy, provide services, support local events and organizations, and make our community a better place to live. That’s part of the reason why the City of Flagstaff created the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Incentive. This program helps local businesses grow by continuing to invest in the community.
The BRE Incentive is a grant program for businesses in Flagstaff that have between 1 and 150 employees. Businesses can apply for grants from $5,000 to $30,000 to help pay for projects like buying new equipment, expanding their buildings, creating new jobs or improving the way they operate. The goal is to help businesses stay in Flagstaff and continue growing.
Unlike many traditional business grants, the BRE Incentive looks at how a business benefits the community as well as how it supports business growth. Applications are reviewed based on four main areas: employee wages, environmental responsibility, community impact and private investment. Businesses receive higher scores when they pay wages above the regional median, use sustainable business practices, invest their own money alongside the grant and provide meaningful benefits to the community. Examples include creating workforce development opportunities, partnering with local organizations, improving public infrastructure or supporting education and training programs.
The program also supports industries that are important to Flagstaff’s economy. These include advanced manufacturing, health care, bioscience, software development, clean energy, forestry products, food processing and research and development. By helping businesses that are already here, the city creates more job opportunities and encourages companies to keep growing locally.
Another great part of the program is that businesses have to invest their own money along with the grant. This means city funding is matching business dollars, which helps businesses do even more than they could on their own. Many companies use the money to buy equipment, improve their facilities or increase production, which helps both the business and the local economy.
Through the years, the BRE Incentive has helped many Flagstaff businesses succeed. Companies like Tech Genie, Chocolita, Randy’s Downtown Garage, Flagstaff Optimal Health and Katalyst Space Technologies have received funding. They have used the grants to expand their businesses, develop new products, improve their buildings and create or keep quality jobs.
Many of these businesses have also made a positive impact outside of their own companies. Some have worked with local schools, offered job training, supported environmental projects and helped grow Flagstaff’s innovation and business community. Their success benefits more than just their employees – it helps the whole city.
The BRE Incentive also encourages businesses to help sustain the environment. Companies that reduce waste, save water and energy, recycle materials or use other sustainable practices may earn higher scores during the application process. This supports Flagstaff’s environmental goals while helping businesses become more efficient.
The City of Flagstaff’s Economic Development team also works closely with businesses throughout the process. Staff members help applicants complete their applications and continue supporting businesses after they receive funding. Businesses share updates on their progress, allowing the city to celebrate their success and connect them with other resources.
As Flagstaff continues to grow, helping local businesses succeed is one of the best ways to build a strong economy. Businesses that already call Flagstaff home create jobs, support local families and make our community unique. When they grow, everyone benefits.
The Business Retention and Expansion Incentive accepts applications once each year, starting Sept. 1 and will be open until Oct. 31. Businesses that want to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements or the application process can visit the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Development website, chooseflagstaff.com. FBN
By Creag Znetko
Creag Znetko is the Economic Development administrator for the City of Flagstaff.
