By Jennifer Conrad, Managing Editor
From business incubators to retail booms and workforce housing, this small mountain city is proving that innovation doesn’t only happen in metro centers.
The drive into Show Low offers hints of the economic momentum simmering behind its pine-lined streets. But if you’ve been paying attention, you know something is happening here. When I last visited six months ago, the city was just kicking off its business incubator plans. Now, they’ve secured a federal grant, mapped out four key industry sectors, and laid the groundwork for a regional innovation network. Show Low isn’t waiting for the future—it’s building it.
A Homegrown Economy Takes Root
The city has recently welcomed a major Amazon facility and is now planning a sports and events center. But Steve North, Show Low’s Economic Development Director, is especially excited about an initiative targeting the root of economic resilience: local entrepreneurship.
With $275,000 in grant funding from the Economic Development Administration, Show Low is transforming a long-vacant building into a full-fledged business incubator. The space will offer more than just low-cost rentals; it will provide mentorship, technical assistance, and access to an entire ecosystem of resources.
“It’s amazing how many entrepreneurs are really good at what they do—but they don’t know how to scale it into a real business,” North said.
Four Pillars of Innovation
The incubator will focus on four strategic industry sectors:
- Food-Based Businesses: With a thriving network of farmers markets across northeastern Arizona, the region is rich in food entrepreneurs. A significant portion of the incubator will house a commissary kitchen—commercial-grade and rentable by the hour. This lowers the barrier to entry for those who can’t afford their own industrial kitchen. “They can rent it for an hour and bake 100 items. It’s about making entrepreneurship accessible,” North explained.
- Trades and Construction: Finding qualified tradespeople in the area has been an ongoing challenge. The incubator aims to jumpstart more locally owned trade businesses to meet the needs of a growing community.
- Information Technology: The city is investing in IT pathways for young residents. Partnering with Northland Pioneer College and the Small Business Development Center, the incubator will support tech entrepreneurs and remote professionals who want to stay rooted in the community. “A lot of our kids don’t want to leave. Let’s give them real careers here,” said North.
- General Business Incubation: For ventures that don’t fall into the above sectors, the incubator will offer flexible space and services to help diverse entrepreneurs thrive.
A Regional Innovation Network
Perhaps one of the most visionary elements of the project is its regional potential. Neighboring Winslow is also developing an incubator, and the two cities are working with the same consultants to build a cooperative network. Each incubator will have its own specialization—for example, Show Low may become a regional food packaging hub.
“Entrepreneurs will be able to circulate between incubators across Northeastern Arizona,” North said. “It creates a real innovation corridor.”
A Place to Live and Work
Economic growth isn’t just about jobs—it’s also about housing. Show Low recently completed a housing study revealing both affordability issues and a deficit in workforce housing. The city is now working on solutions, including a public-private partnership to build up to 250 multifamily units.
“If we don’t provide housing options for our workforce, we’ll lose them. And we can’t grow without them,” said North. With developers already in conversations and incentives on the table, the city is turning data into action.
Retail Growth and Tax Revenue
Retail is booming, too. A new TJ Maxx opened just weeks ago and is already a top performer. An Einstein Bros. Bagels is coming soon, and other major retailers are eyeing Show Low. These additions reduce retail leakage—where residents travel elsewhere to shop—and boost the local tax base. “More sales tax means more services for the community,” North emphasized. “It allows us to do things like the incubator and the sports complex.”
Sports, Events, and a Tourism Economy
Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Show Low’s economy. The city is investing in a multi-purpose sports and events center designed to attract youth tournaments, conferences, and cultural events. With volleyball courts, fixed seating, and adjacent conference space, it’s expected to activate new revenue streams year-round. The location? A long-planned high-growth area known as Show Low Bluff—once slated for 3,500 homes before the 2008 recession. The center will serve as a catalyst to revive that vision. “When you build it, people come,” North said simply.
A City That’s Betting on Itself
From reactivating a long-abandoned building to proactively solving workforce and housing issues, Show Low is making a bold bet on its future. And it’s already paying off. The momentum is visible in everything from food truck activity to tech opportunities for the next generation. “We’re not trying to be reactive,” North said. “We’re trying to shape what’s coming next.”
Want to learn more about doing business in Show Low?
Visit www.pickshowlow.com, or contact Steve North at (928) 532-4124 or snorth@showlowaz.gov.
