Follow the table of contents links to review details of each incentive we offer to downtown Mesa businesses.
The downtown is located within an established Central Business District (CBD) and Redevelopment Area (RDA). Provided the development meets certain conditions and approval of a development agreement with us, we may grant a GPLET with an 8-year tax abatement. This incentive exchanges the regular tax rate with what is often a much lower excise tax.
The Downtown Small Business Attraction Utility Rate Program offers a 25% reduction in energy and water bills for three years for new businesses that fit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a small business. Businesses must apply for the program within their first year of operation.
To begin your application process:
- Send an email stating your interest to us at downtowntransformation@mesaaz.gov
- Include your estimated first day of operation (if known). If your business is already operating, please attach proof of your first day of operation. Applications usually take three weeks or less to process.
Eligibility
- Must be located inside the Central Business District and Town Center Redevelopment Area (CBD/TRA)
- Must have an average total minimum actual or projected annual energy consumption of twelve thousand (12,000) kilowatt-hours (kWh) for up to the most recent twelve-month period and a maximum of eight hundred thousand (800,000) kWh for up to the most recent twelve-month period
- Must have an anticipated average monthly billed usage in the next twelve (12) months of equal to or greater than ten (10) kgal and less than or equal to two-hundred (200) kgal
- A single point of delivery within the CBD/TRA measured through one meter for the billing of each utility service
- Meets the definition of a small business as stated by the U.S. Small Business Administration
- Consists of a use consistent with Mesa’s adopted form-based code or in a commercial or industrial zoned area where the form-based code does not apply
- Employs the equivalent of at least two (2) full-time employee (FTE) positions (subject to verification through unemployment tax and wage reporting or comparable records). Customers must also be current on all utility bills and any other amounts owed Mesa.
Terms and Conditions
- Limited to three (3) consecutive years per eligible Customer.
- The Customer must sign a three-year agreement evidencing the commitment through the 3-year period to meeting the eligibility criteria, including promises to continue operating within Mesa; to meet or increase their initial level of electric consumption; and to use reasonable efforts to increase the number of jobs that are part of their business operations within Mesa.
- Customers may apply for the small business utility rate only within their first year of operation.
- Customers may only participate once.
- Customers that do not maintain or increase their total average annual utility usage from their first year receiving the rate may be required to repay Mesa for the difference between this Schedule E3.6D and the otherwise applicable electric rate schedule.
- We may terminate, suspend or modify the rate for active and/or future participants should it serve the interests of Mesa.
- Customers may be required to obtain a financial instrument satisfactory to us that protects Mesa from a default under the agreement and from the accumulation of delinquent and deficient charges of a Customer served under this Rate Schedule.
- The customer becomes ineligible if it has less than two employees for a total of six months or more during any consecutive 12-month period.
U.S. Small Business Administration Size Standards
Mesa supports a vibrant and active downtown. Encroachments are reviewed at no cost to businesses in the downtown area and are granted on a case-by-case basis.
Downtown Patio Guide
Mesa offers expedited and super expedited plan review for 100% or 200% of the permit cost, respectively. No-cost expedited plan review can be negotiated on a case by case basis.
Mesa owns numerous surface and structured parking lots in downtown with long-term leases options.
The Self-Certification Program eliminates plan review by allowing a registered professional to take responsibility for and certify a project's compliance with building code, standards and ordinances. Self-Certification reduces permit issuance to within five working days of application.
Large development or redevelopment projects may be assigned a dedicated downtown project manager at no cost to help navigate the project through municipal level processes, permits and agreements.
Mesa’s Downtown Sign Program is a grant program made possible by a generous grant from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. This is a competitive grant with limited funding. Participants will be selected based on evaluation criteria outlined in the program application. Signs with neon or neon-like elements and projecting signs will receive preference points.
The grant amount for each business is not defined and will be determined based on the need, value and benefit to the public urban environment of each proposed project. Permit and encroachment fees (if applicable) are not covered by the grant.
Mesa’s Downtown Sign Program is a grant that reimburses up to 100% of the cost for:
- New signage
- Maintenance of existing legal or legal non-conforming signs
- Enhancement of existing sign
Property owners or tenants may apply (with property owner’s approval) and select a sign company to complete the work. Mesa’s Downtown Sign Program is made possible by a generous grant from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Sign Program Application
2023 Grant Awardees
Congratulations to the following awardees for the 2023 grant cycle.
- Cottage Dental
- History by George
- Hope's Frybread
- House of Holmes
- Level 1 Arcade Bar
- Main Street Group Insurance
- Oro Brewing
- Outcast Doughnuts
- Urban Legend Beer Company
The Mesa City Council approved 4.4 million dollars in American Rescue Act funding for Downtown Revitalization projects on June 16, 2022. Combined with grants, the City intends to spend a total of 5 million dollars on downtown projects, including the Downtown Façade Improvement Program. The program will fund design, demolition and the vast majority of construction costs for facades between Country Club and Center, 1st Avenue to 1st Street. Façade selections will be complete by the end of 2022 and design is anticipated to begin fall 2023.
Take a tour of the 2018 Façade
Questions?
Please contact Anthony.Rodriguez@mesaaz.gov.