Big Things Are Happening for Small Businesses in San Luis!
The inaugural Fuerza Local class in San Luis, Arizona
In an exciting step toward strengthening local entrepreneurship, 12 businesses have been selected for the first-ever Fuerza Local Business Accelerator Program in Yuma County, a partnership between Local First Arizona and the City of San Luis Economic Development Department.
These 12 businesses — ranging from taquerías and tortillerías to tech services and fitness centers — have embarked on a 17-week journey designed to help them grow and thrive. The first cohort kicked off in February and includes: Taquería Aguilar, Tortillería Recién Salidas, Helados Fiesta, Papantla Entertainment, Las Machas de la Heidy, DaNyva Beauty, Bravo Computers, Tortas México, The Roach Pest Control, Security Tech, The Concept Shop and Maximus Gym.
The first San Luis Fuerza Local dive into the program.
Local First team members Luis Elaman and Vanessa Castillo Bell welcome the inaugural San Luis cohort to Fuerza Local
For these business owners, the program isn’t just about learning — it’s about empowerment, networking and taking their business to the next level. Over the next few months, they’ll dive into essential topics like social media and marketing, business finance, customer service and labor relations. These skills go beyond useful — they’re game-changers for small businesses looking to grow and compete in a fast-moving world.
Local First Arizona has run the Fuerza Local Business Accelerator in several Arizona communities, including Tucson, Phoenix, Globe/Miami and Cottonwood/Sedona, graduating 1,176 participants since the program’s inception in 2013. 2024 saw 149 graduates from the program, of which: 85% have expanded their businesses, 47% have hired new employees, 12% have bought company vehicles, 13% have opened a new location or expanded their current location and 32% have expanded with new products or services.
San Luis's investment in the Fuerza program shows its strong dedication to supporting local entrepreneurship and helping Spanish-speaking business owners succeed. “We all realize the need for this type of entrepreneurial education in San Luis,” stated Elaman Rodriguez, Local First's Senior Manager of Rural Spanish Programs. “The City of San Luis and its business community welcomed us with open arms from day one!"
And it’s just the beginning. With the right tools and resources, these entrepreneurs will not only strengthen their businesses, but also contribute to the economic vitality of San Luis. “The selected business owners are eager to learn, ambitious to improve their business and excited to form a new network that benefits them all,” said Rodriguez. “I am thrilled to be a part of this group.”
Related Information:
For more details on the San Luis Fuerza Local program, you can reach out to Elaman Rodriguez at (602) 430-0860 or elaman@localfirstaz.com
Learn more about Fuerza Local here.