2023 Exemplary Advocate: Rep. Stanton’s experience and advocacy deliver game-changing resources to Valley cities

Jennifer Dokes, for LISC Phoenix

10.10.2023 — LISC StoriesCommunities on the Line

Long before Greg Stanton went to Washington to represent Arizona’s 4th congressional district, he was an engaged, valued partner in LISC Phoenix’s community development strategies. His interests haven’t changed and neither has our appreciation of his ongoing support for key initiatives, including light rail, affordable housing and equitable economic development.

The former mayor of Phoenix carried his experience, passion and advocacy for municipal affairs — the level of government closest to the people — into his role as a congressional representative where he is effective in bringing federal attention and dollars to local initiatives that Valley residents see and feel.

In Mesa, for example, Stanton secured $300,000 to assist small businesses in downtown Mesa with facade improvements. The federal dollars required a city of Mesa match for the facade project that is part of the ongoing revitalization of downtown Main Street. That initial investment in people and place has led to bigger things.

Jeff McVay, manager of downtown transformation in Mesa, said $600,000 in façade improvement was leveraged into another $4.4 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Act. Treasury Department guidance specifically referenced facade and storefront improvements.

“In the next year, hopefully, we’ll be investing $5 million into our downtown,” McVay said of the project, which is in the design phase. “While it’s a district revitalization and it really helps Main Street, this is direct support towards our small businesses. With the facade improvement, the public is a benefactor because it makes a better public realm. But the real benefactor is the business improvement that comes from it.”

Stanton’s background as a mayor gives him direct knowledge of what redevelopment means, McVay said.

“He does get it,” McVay said. “He comes from a position where he understands that it’s an actual investment and not just a handout.”

McVay said Stanton’s interest in Mesa’s goals brings focus and attention that the city might not otherwise receive.

“He’s an advocate for what we’re trying to accomplish through the use of transit and creating community development with that,” McVay said.

In Tempe, Stanton helped the city launch a micromanufacturing initiative to support entrepreneurs who are Black, indigenous or people of color. BIPOC community members often lack access to capital, markets and networks to grow their businesses.

The congressman secured $500,000 in federal dollars to address obstacles to start-up manufacturing. Tempe added $300,000 to the pilot program, which helps cover costs of space, raw materials and equipment necessary for micromanufacturing and supports the city’s effort to train and coach entrepreneurs.

“We want to help the next generation of entrepreneurs to realize their potential and build great products,” Stanton said in Tempe when the micromanufacturing program was announced a year ago. “And this kind of investment will lift up everyone.”

“As a recovering mayor, standing with a current mayor (Corey Woods), we know that small business is where the action is,” Stanton said. “If you want to support your economy, support small entrepreneurs. … We both know that the key to building a healthy and strong economy is supporting our local entrepreneurs. … I’ve worked in Congress to deliver resources for Arizona’s small businesses so that they can continue to do what they do best — create jobs and drive growth.”

Maria Laughner, former Tempe deputy economic development director and now Mesa’s deputy director of strategic initiatives, said the BIPOC micromanufacturing pilot program was a response to a State of Black Arizona report in 2021 that found no Black-owned manufacturing companies. At the same time, Congressman Stanton was looking to cities for their ideas to move the needle on economic development challenges in our communities through financial services appropriations, she said.

“Congressman Stanton, he totally understands what can be done for residents and that the cities are the ones that are the first line of defense for residents,” Laughner said. “Residents make up our cities. We deliver services directly to them.”

An advocate in Congress who has high-level understanding of local comprehensive community and economic development and a passion for acting upon what he knows is invaluable to the mission of LISC Phoenix, as well as the success of cities and towns and the people who live in them.

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