Surprise Economic Development

Cinnamon Roll Day is coming up this Sunday, October 4! 🌀

Of course, we couldn’t let the occasion pass without celebrating with our #1 Most Desired Retailer, IKEA! 💙💛

A recent trip to IKEA gave members of our Economic Development team the perfect opportunity to get into the spirit with a few of their famous cinnamon rolls.

Happy Kanelbullens dag from the City of Surprise!

Today was a BIG day for Surprise Economic Development!

We officially celebrated the Grand Opening of Spark Surprise AZ, the City of Surprise’s new Business Development Hub! Mayor Kevin Sartor and Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic cut the ribbon, officially opening Spark Surprise to businesses and entrepreneurs in our community.

They were joined by Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg, Councilmember Johnny V. Melton, Supervisor Debbie Lesko - Vice Chair of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Surprise City Manager Andrea Davis, Economic Development Assistant Director Mike Hoover, Economic Development Project Manager - Spark Surprise Samuel Pena, and Economic Development Administrative Specialist - Spark Surprise Maggie Lewis.

Making a community resource like this a reality would be impossible without our many incredible partners! A few were on hand to celebrate with us today including:
- City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality who provided their Block Party Trailer
- George Sezemsky, CEO Forums Chair, SCORE Mentors
- Ryan Dixon, Small Business Advocate, Maricopa County - Procurement Services
- Robert Theobald, Small Business Ombudsman, Sr. VP, Small Business Services, Arizona Commerce Authority
- Patrick Jordan, Compliance Assistance Supervisor, ADOSH
- Darren Ware, Safety Coordinator, ADOSH
- Steve Kaiser, CEO, Arizona Small Business Association
- Katherine Dunphy, Marketing Director, Arizona Small Business Association
- Kaila Hammonds, Director of Business Development, Arizona Small Business Association
- Dysart Schools: Dysart Student Broadcasting

Special shout out to Fairytale Finds Market and all today's vendors for putting on a fantastic market for the event!

Spark Surprise is located in the heart of our City, right on Elm Street, and for the Grand Opening, many of the amazing Elm Street Restaurants participated in the Taste of Elm Street. Big thank you to:
MISSION BBQ
Pita Kitchen Mediterranean Grill
Southern Steer Butcher
Osteria Mia - Surprise
Jet's Pizza
Tacos Chilango
Cafe Zupas
Better Buzz Coffee
Farmer Boys

One final, Sparkling Shout Out to the incredible Flash Mob Dance Participants that took over Elm Street Today! Great work Assistant Choreographer (and today's Michal Jackson) K-9, Pomp Team & Dance Company with Peoria High School, Pomp Team with Paradise Honors High School, Dance Team with Ottawa University - Arizona, and the Desert Flowers Belly Dancing Troop.

Check out photos of all of today's wonderful festivities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6rLE



Spark Surprise | 14462 W. Elm Street, Suite 143
https://www.sparksurpriseaz.com/

Spark Surprise Ribbon Cutting Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic joined local business owners Fabiano Aoki and Ismael Aoki to celebrate the 5-Year Anniversary of Cyclone Muay Thai & Aoki Jiu-Jitsu here in Surprise!

Joining in on the celebration were Economic Development Project Manager of Spark Surprise AZ Samuel Pena as well as West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder.

Congratulations Fabiano and Ismael on 5 incredible years in our community. Looking forward to many more!

To see photos of todays event click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD6kQJ



Cyclone Muay Thai & Aoki Jiu-Jitsu | 16630 W. Greenway Rd. Suite 307

Cyclone Muay Thai & Aoki Jiu Jitsu 5-Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

One week from today, we celebrate a major milestone for Surprise’s business community!

Spark Surprise AZ was created to give entrepreneurs, small businesses and professionals a place to connect, access resources and turn ideas into opportunities. On October 1, we’re inviting the community to come see that vision in action!

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., experience Spark Surprise while enjoying a Taste on Elm and a mini Elm Street Market featuring local businesses and vendors. Then, at 12:30 p.m., help us officially mark the occasion with a Ribbon Cutting.

This is more than the opening of a new space. It’s another step forward in supporting business growth, entrepreneurship and connection in Surprise.

We’ll see you October 1!

Tomorrow is the day!

The Surprise Job Fair is happening tomorrow, with opportunities for all skill levels across a wide range of industries, including:

• Law Enforcement & Public Safety
• Healthcare & Home Care
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Transportation & Logistics
• Distribution & Warehousing
• Government & Public Service
• Staffing & Recruitment
• Social & Community Services
• Military Careers

Hosted by ARIZONA at WORK in partnership with the City of Surprise, this is your chance to meet employers face-to-face, explore career opportunities and make valuable connections.

📅 Tomorrow, September 24 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Surprise Regional Library

Bring your resume and come ready to connect. Your next opportunity could be waiting for you!

Councilmember Johnny V. Melton and Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic joined Retro Exchange Owner Grey Rodgers and General Manager Cody Smith for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of their new business in Surprise!

Retro Exchange is a one-stop destination for collectors and gamers, offering toys, comics, video games, collectibles, tabletop gaming and more.

Thank you to West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder and Benevilla Donor Relations Specialist Angelita Contreras for joining in on today's celebration.

Congratulations to Grey, Cody, and the whole Retro Exchange team, welcome to the Surprise community!

Check out photos from today's event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5Hbk



Retro Exchange | 12851 W. Bell Road, Surprise AZ 85378
https://www.rextoys.com/

Retro Exchange Ribbon Cutting Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

AI isn’t just for big companies. Local small businesses can put it to work, too!

The WESTMARC AI Readiness Workshop series is launching at Spark Surprise, giving small business owners hands-on opportunities to explore practical ways to incorporate AI into their operations.

The first session focuses on a challenge many businesses face, turning more leads into customers through better follow-up and smarter workflows.

Take advantage of this FREE resource for our business community and reserve your spot:

https://luma.com/ai-readiness-workshops

Tomorrow we’re kicking off the WESTMARC AI Readiness Workshop series for Small Business Owners right here at Spark Surprise!

Join Michael Damond Campbell for the first session and learn how AI-assisted follow-up and repeatable workflows can help you stay connected with leads and work smarter.

No AI expertise needed, just bring your business and be ready to learn!

Registration is FREE:
https://luma.com/ai-readiness-workshops

Mission Update: CLASSIFIED

Stay tuned...

https://youtu.be/G8Pa893SSgs

Mission: Accomplished Director Jerkovic and Agent Baker are back with new updates on last...

For this we want to congratulate our colleagues in the City of Surprise Human Service & Community Vitality Department on the opening of their new Surprise Community and Resource Center last week.

The Facility is absolutely breathtaking, and it was amazing seeing just how many partners and members of our community were on hand to celebrate.

Special shout out to Surprise HSCV Director Seth Dyson for the incredible work you and your team have done to prepare this exceptional community space!

Visit the new Surprise Community and Resource Center at 12641 W. Santa Fe Dr., Surprise, AZ 85378.