completing abusinessapplication. government agencies, applyfor utilitiesandschools.Businessescan eligibility through NEDCO by be required to submitahardship for the justification to qualify rebate, includingapartments, banks, Eligible businessesare located onMainSt.between AlmaSchoolRd. andHorne.Someapplicants will requirements. The minimummonthlyrebate is$250permonth. utility bills(not to exceed $2,500permonth)for theprogram eligiblebusinesses thatmeet eligibility is 20percent of theparticipatingbusinesscustomers’ portionof theirmonthlycity electric of Mesa customers’ utility electric billsdueinJuly, August andSeptember. The amount of thecurrent voucher including determination of eligibility of thevouchers. anddispersal Thesevouchers willbeappliedto Development Corporation (NEDCO) BusinessSupportCenter. NEDCO willadminister theprogram The program isacollaborative effort between thecity andNeighborhood of Mesa Economic ELECTRIC VOUCHER PROGRAM andsupportforadvocacy theCentral project andbusinessesalongtheroute. Mesa The city hasdedicated of aneconomic Mesa development staff member to provide business BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN WhereToPark.pdf. showing thefree parkingareas for downtown beviewed can atmesaaz.gov/lightrail/images/ Mesa and staffcan better direct theircustomers to theparkingareas thatare most convenient. Amap access points for downtown. Thisincludescolor-coded parkinglot designationssobusinessowners The city hasinstalled newsignsinorder of Mesa to promote accessible parkingandbusiness WAYFINDING ANDSIGNAGE Visit mesaaz.gov/lightrail for project information. various businessassistance programs availableto businessowners affected by construction. The city hasdeveloped of Mesa awebsite withCentral extension Mesa project information and PROJECT WEBSITE Joachim|480.644.3562mesaaz.gov/economicShea CITY OFMESA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

business. Thebottom lineiswe are allbetter together. JointheChamberto helpbuildabetter Mesa. The Chamberprovides networking, access, andtools advocacy for better andbetter education Sally Harrison|480.969.1307 |mesachamber.org Chamberof CommerceMesa 40,000 searches permonth. resources to helpmarket owned locally businessesinanonlinedirectory thatgets approximately by supportingandcelebrating owned locally businesses.Local First Arizona offers tools and Local First Arizona isastatewide non-profit organization working to strengthen Arizona’s economy During lightrail construction of theCentral extension, Mesa Friends of Transit hassupported local community onthebenefits andimportance of a well-designed andaccessible masstransit system. Friends of Transit isagrassroots organizationthatserves asaresource to theGreater Phoenix David Schwartz |602.277.0911 |friendsoftransit.org Friends of Transit general businesssupport. area businesses,includingmaintenance, marketing andpromotion, specialevent advertising and and businessdevelopment inthesquare mileof downtown DMA Mesa. offers assistance for these The Downtown AssociationisaSpecialImprovement Mesa dedicated District to economic growth David Short|480.890.2613 |downtownmesa.com Downtown Association(DMA) Mesa BUSINESS ADVOCACY PARTNERS Kimber Lanning|602.956.0909 |localfirstaz.com Local First Arizona businesses to potential newcustomers. moreand learn abouttheCentral extension. Mesa Theevents alsoprovide free promotion of local gift cards businesses.Themixers to Mesa local serve asgreat opportunitiesfor thepublicto network and beverages are availableto mixer attendees andevery guest has anopportunity to winvaluable Friends of Transit every restaurant few monthsataMesa inthelightrail construction area. Free food businesses by sponsoringanevent Mixers. seriesknown Mixers asMesa TheMesa are hosted by Para recibir esta información en formatos alternativos, llameal602.253.5000 /TTY602.251.2039. To receive thisinformation in alternative formats, 602.253.5000 call /TTY 602.251.2039.

project visit: For updates ontheCentral extension Mesa

valleymetro.org/centralmesa SER TR VING THEGREA A NSIT F TER PHOENIXREGION riends of riends

LRT2176/SN/10.2013 Business Assistance CENTRAL MESA LIGHT EXTENSION RAIL ABOUT THE CENTRAL MESA LIGHT RAIL EXTENSION BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PARTNERS

The 3.1-mile Central Mesa project extends light rail east from the current end-of-line through downtown MARICOPA SMALL BUSINESS Mesa to Mesa Dr. The extension, which is scheduled to open in 2016, consists of three stations and a DEVELOPMENT CENTER (SBDC) park-and-ride on the northeast corner of Main St. and Mesa Dr. It will add approximately 5,000 new riders Dale Kater | 480.784.0590 | maricopasbdc.com and attract additional development to downtown Mesa. The Maricopa Community Colleges SBDC provides one-on-one confidential business counseling at no charge to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Specifically, the SBDC offers counseling, The Central Mesa extension will serve the growing transit demand in the East Valley and connect residents guidance, assistance, education and resources as follows: to the downtown Mesa business district, new educational institutions, Mesa Arts Center and Mesa City VALLEY METRO BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Plaza. It will also connect riders to special events and activities in Tempe and Phoenix. • Free one-on-one business counseling • Identifying sources of capital CONSTRUCTION OUTREACH • Business plan assistance • SBA loan assistance

McKellips Rd Valley Metro’s Community Relations team is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and keeps you • Market feasibility and research • Inventory control assessment CENTRAL MESA LIGHT202 RAIL EXTENSION informed of construction progress and assists with any issues or concerns. Valley Metro’s Business • Cash flow analysis • Technology development Assistance Coordinator, Michael Book, provides one-on-one support to businesses during construction. 101 MESA LEGEND • Financial projections development • Applying for DBE/WBE certification Central Mesa Light Rail Extension Tempe Transport. Ctr. Valley Metro Light Rail Line 24-HOUR HOTLINE Veterans Way/College Ave Valley Metro Light Rail Station N NEIGHBORHOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT University Dr Transit Center The Valley Metro hotline is available to give business owners and residents the ability to ask questions CORPORATION (NEDCO) BUSINESS SUPPORT CENTER 2016 Park-and-Ride Sycamore Sycamore/Main St or report problems that may arise during light rail construction. Call 602-254-RAIL, 24 hours a day, Smith-MartinPrice-101 Fwy Main St Note: Dates indicate anticipated calendar year openings seven days a week. Terry Benelli | 480.258.6927 | [email protected] | nedco-mesa.org Apache Blvd Broadway Rd NEDCO is a micro lender (loans under $50,000) for businesses that don’t meet traditional bank COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) lending criteria. The NEDCO Business Support Center is available to help businesses plan ahead for The Valley Metro CAB consists of residents and business representatives along the Central Mesa any changes that may be experienced during construction. Through the Business Support Center,

Southern Ave Dobson Rd Longmore Alma School Rd Extension Dr Club Country St Center Mesa Dr Horne Dr Stapley extension who represent the community during construction. business owners are connected with experienced consultants to discuss:

The CAB meets regularly to evaluate how well the contractor manages and minimizes the impacts • Marketing and social media consulting • Construction mitigation planning ABOUT THE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM of light rail construction to the community. Board members review activities that may require the • QuickBooks training • Human resource planning contractor to alleviate concerns and determine the results of the contractor’s effectiveness in resolving Restaurant and retail consulting Information technology consulting It is a priority for Valley Metro and the city of Mesa to support existing businesses during the • • construction-related issues in the community. construction of the Central Mesa extension. A wide array of business assistance programs are available • Financial reporting and budgeting • Loan application assistance to provide resources to keep your business well positioned during construction. METRO MAX REWARDS PROGRAM SCORE GREATER PHOENIX The METRO Max Rewards program offers consumers an incentive to visit businesses along the Central Neil Brown | 602.539.2284 | [email protected] | greaterphoenix.score.org CENTRAL MESA EXTENSION FAST FACTS Mesa extension. To participate, a business affected by light rail construction must offer a discount or incentive to customers. Valley Metro publicizes the business’ discount online, in print and through SCORE helps small businesses succeed every day by providing free face-to-face business mentoring, • 3.1-mile extension social media channels. Take advantage of this marketing opportunity that targets a local and valleywide local workshops and online expert resources. SCORE’s free mentoring service includes: • Four stations: Alma School Rd., Country Club Dr., Center St. and Mesa Dr. audience! For more information about the METRO Max Rewards program, please visit the website at • Business finance and accounting • Sales, marketing and public relations • Park-and-ride at Mesa Dr. valleymetro.org/metromax. • Business operations • Technology and IT services • Construction underway, with completion expected in 2016 or earlier • Business strategy and planning • Trains will run current schedule – every 12 minutes on weekdays ADDITIONAL VALLEY METRO PROGRAMS • General marketing support • Multi media marketing campaigns WEST MESA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • Peer-to-peer business forums CORPORATION (WMCDC) YOUR POINT OF CONTACT Cynthia Dunham | 480.964.3751 | [email protected] Michael Book The WMCDC’s mission is to positively impact the economic growth, commercial and residential Business Assistance Coordinator revitalization and development of the community. For support during construction, WMCDC offers the following programs: T: 602.256.5811 / TTY: 602.251.2039 M: 480.800.9510 / Email: [email protected] • Storefront Improvement Grant Program • Community and economic Back Door Improvement Grant Program development technical assistance Website: valleymetro.org/centralmesa • Micro Enterprise and Small Business • Crime Free and Neighborhood Safety Program Facebook: facebook.com/metrorailconstruction • Incubator Program • Community Compliance Program Twitter: @metrorail • Neighborhood planning and group support Join the Central Mesa extension email distribution list by contacting Michael Book.