Small businesses across Pima County can apply for up to $10,000 to upgrade their properties through a grant program that opened for applications Friday, Oct. 30.
The Business Safety & Beautification Grant Program is a partnership between Pima County Economic Development and the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, according to a Pima County announcement. The program is open to eligible businesses countywide. Oro Valley and the Catalina Foothills fall within Pima County.
Eligible improvements may include exterior and interior lighting, security cameras, landscaping, murals, signage, graffiti removal, power washing and storefront enhancements, the county stated.
The grant program falls under Pima County's broader One Pima Initiative. That initiative is the county's two-year plan to strengthen public safety, expand treatment and recovery services, support housing stability and improve public spaces, according to the county's One Pima page. Funding for One Pima comes from a mix of general fund commitments, state and federal grants and opioid settlement dollars.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the county's 2026–2029 Economic Development Strategic Plan at its Oct. 27 meeting, according to a separate county newsroom release. Heath Vescovi-Chiordi, Pima County Economic Development director, said in that announcement that the updated plan "prioritizes actions for small business support and expansion while addressing infrastructure development, new industry attraction, resource use, and more."
The grant program aligns with those economic development priorities, the county stated, by helping existing businesses and creating commercial spaces that benefit surrounding neighborhoods.
The application window is open. Program guidelines, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions and application materials are available on the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce website.
