Kickstart Ajo Application for Support

This is an application to request direct support for a new, expanding, or relocating business enterprise based in the community of Ajo, Arizona. Available support includes: Technical and/or Marketing Assistance, Dollar-for-Dollar Matched Savings Accounts, Money for Building and Facade Improvements, Mini-grants, Business Membership Stipends and Access to a Revolving Loan Fund. Kickstart Ajo is a collaboration among the Ajo District Chamber of Commerce, 3-Nations Market, Ajo Artisans Online, the Ajo Leadership for Sustainable Communities Cohort, and the International Sonoran Desert Alliance. It is made possible by generous support from Freeport McMoRan Foundation.

Email *

Your Name *

Phone # *

Business Name *

Please provide a short description of your business and/or a Mission Statement. *

Do you have a business plan? *

Which, if any, of the following apply to your business? Check all that apply *

Women-owned business

Minority-owned business

Latinx or Hispanic-owned business

Native American-owned business

None of the above

How would you characterize your business? Please select the most applicable category. *

An individual pop-up or market-based business

An individual E-commerce business

An Ajo-area business collective with resources and expenses shared across multiple entrepreneurs

A new small business (in operation less than 2 years) or a business that is still in a startup phase regardless of how long you've been working on it.

An established small business that has been around for 2+ years and has a clear and viable business model.

A relocating business or a business expanding from another market into the Ajo regional marketplace

If your business is relocating or expanding into the Ajo market, where is it currently located and how many years has it been in business?

What is the current or projected annual operating budget for your business. *

Less than $3,000 per year

$3,000 - $6,000 per year

$6,000-$12,000 per year

$12,000-$30,000 per year

$30,000-$60,000 per year

$60,000-$100,000 per year

$100,000-$500,000 per year

$500,000+ per year

Where is your business primarily based? Please select the most applicable category. *

A Commercial Space in Ajo's Historic Town Center

A Commercial Space in Ajo Outside of the Historic Town Center

A Commercial Space in Why, Lukeville or the Western Tohono O'odham Nation

3-Nations Market

Virtual / E-Commerce Business (Ajo Artisans Online or other online storefront)

Artisans Mercado or Ajo Farmers Market

Home-based Business

Which resource type are you applying for? Check all that apply. For detailed descriptions of each resource, visit: https://kickstartajo.weebly.com/business-assistance.html

Technical Support and/or Marketing Assistance (10 awards anticipated ranging from $250 up to $1,000)

Mini-grant for a Start-up, Pop-up, Market Vendor, or E-commerce Business (10 awards anticipated at $500 each)

Business Membership and Vendor Fee Stipends (9 awards anticipated ranging from $100-$300)

1:1 Matched Savings Account (8 awards anticipated ranging from $500 up to $2,000)

Business Micro Loans (3 awards anticipated up to $2,000 each)

Tenant or Facade Improvement to a commercial space (1 award of $5,000 anticipated)

Unsure - I need to better understand each option

What, specifically are you seeking to do with this support? Please include a description of the services, materials, and equipment that you are requesting help in procuring. Please be specific. *

How would this request for support help you to establish, grow and/or maintain your business? Please be specific. *

Please provide a line item budget for your request. For your convenience, there is a budget template available at https://kickstartajo.weebly.com/resources.html. Please complete the budget file and upload it here. A budget is required for your application to be considered complete.

Why are you applying for this resource instead of using a more traditional source of capital like a bank or the Small Business Administration? Have you applied for other support? *

What is the PRIMARY customer base for your business? *

Year-round residents and/or winter residents

Passthrough traffic, travelers and tourists

Online customers

Other businesses (Wholesale or B2B)

How does/will your business benefit the greater community? *

How has the Covid-19 Pandemic affected your business and what steps have you taken to adapt to the changed business environment? *

What are your benchmarks for success in 1 year? In 5 years? *

Are there other types of support or assistance that might be helpful to your business and/or the greater business community? If so, please describe.

Do you have any documents that might support your application (estimates from contractors, business plan, marketing concepts, operating budget, etc)? If so, please upload them here.

Kickstart Ajo - Application for Business Support

Kickstart Ajo - Application for Business Support

Kickstart Ajo - Application for Business Support