ARED Foundation to open Community Innovation Center and IDEA Hive in Sierra Vista on Aug. 16

Sarah Pacheco, assistant director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, said the foundation will host a grand opening for its Community Innovation Center on Aug. 16 at 3 p.m. The building at 4251 Enterprise Way was previously a call center and, more recently, served as a temporary charter-school campus; AREDF has owned the building since 1998.

Pacheco said the center will include co-working spaces and counseling for small businesses, a large conference area for community events and a Hive operated in partnership with the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDEA). The Hive will be a technology hub offering free digital-navigation services, computer labs and equipment such as 3D printers and laser engravers for community use, with on-site staff to help residents and small-business owners learn software and online tools.

Pacheco said the foundation provides business counseling, marketing-plan review and other assistance to entrepreneurs colocating in the facility. She invited the public to the Aug. 16 open house and grand-opening ceremony and provided contact information: aredf.org and her email, pachecos@aredf.org.

Pacheco described the Community Innovation Center as part of a broader local effort to give small businesses access to technology and training they otherwise might not afford and said partners will use the space for conferences and public programs.