VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION

What VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION does

Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) is a private nonprofit regional economic development organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Cottonwood, Arizona. It serves the 714-square-mile Verde Valley, coordinating economic vitality efforts across six communities (Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, Jerome, Sedona, and Yavapai-Apache Nation territory) plus unincorporated areas. VVREO's primary customers are small businesses and entrepreneurs in Yavapai County seeking capital and regional support, with secondary stakeholders including local governments, chambers of commerce, tribal nations, and regional residents.

VVREO's core offerings are: a Revolving Loan Program providing $25,000-$125,000 small business loans at 6% interest (cumulative $1.5M deployed to 23 businesses since 2012 with zero defaults and 83 jobs created or retained, contingent on SBDC collaboration); a quarterly 'Thriving in the Verde Valley' webinar series; a Data & Resources platform aggregating market research and GIS tools; and business training and education delivered through partners such as Arizona Commerce Authority, Moonshot, and Local First Arizona. The organization uses only standard office software (Office 365, Constant Contact, Zoom) and has no proprietary technology products. It also serves as fiscal agent for regional coalitions including the Verde Valley Wine Consortium and Verde Valley Agriculture Coalition.

VVREO generates revenue primarily through interest income on its revolving loan fund (6% on ~$50K average loan), grant funding (including USDA loans that grow the loan fund), and a part-time Executive Director contract (45-50 hours/month) executed under the Executive Committee. The organization is governed by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors representing APS, Salt River Project, municipalities, chambers of commerce, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and private sector. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging quarterly webinars, an annual economic forum, the October 2025 'Imagine the Verde Valley' summit with 100+ leaders, and partner referrals through Yavapai College SBDC, SCORE, NAU, and NACOG.

Name

VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION

Legal name

Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization

Website

https://vvreo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) is a nonprofit regional economic development hub serving small businesses, municipalities, and stakeholders across Arizona's 714-square-mile Verde Valley with revolving small business loans, business training, and regional coordination.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399)

SIC

Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSAKAGAI

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Small Business & Microenterprise Lending

SECONDARYEDAAAFAK

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAAAOAM

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Small business loans
• Revolving loan fund
• Entrepreneur support services
• Business resource coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Cottonwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Revolving Loan Program: VVREO provides small business loans ranging from $25,000 to $125,000 (average $50,000) to businesses in the Verde Valley that do not have access to traditional funding sources. Loans have 6% interest rate (as of October 1, 2024) with 3-5 year terms. The program has generated over $1.5M in loans to 23 businesses since 2012 with zero defaults.
2. Grant Funding: VVREO receives grant funding to grow their loan fund, including USDA loans. They also engage in fundraising and write grants to support strategic initiatives.
3. Executive Director Contract Services: The Executive Director position is a part-time contract role (45-50 hours per month) working under direction of the Executive Committee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) is a nonprofit regional economic development organization that provides small business loans ($25,000-$125,000 at 6% interest) through its Revolving Loan Fund Program, business support and training in collaboration with the SBDC, regional economic data and market research resources, and quarterly educational webinars. The organization coordinates economic development initiatives across six Verde Valley communities in Arizona, serving as a regional hub for small business creation, attraction, retention, and expansion.

Product overview

Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization operates as a regional economic development hub providing a portfolio of interconnected services centered around small business support and regional economic vitality. The core offerings include a Revolving Loan Program providing gap financing to businesses underserved by traditional banks, the Thriving in the Verde Valley Webinar Series for education, a Data & Resources Platform for market intelligence, and Business Training & Education connecting entrepreneurs with regional partners. The organization functions as a collaborative resource rather than a technology product company, serving municipalities, businesses, and stakeholders across the Verde Valley region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Revolving Loan Program Small business loan program providing financing from $25,000 to $125,000 (average $50,000) at 6% interest with 3-5 year terms, for businesses in Yavapai County that cannot access traditional bank financing. Loan proceeds may be used for working capital, furniture/fixtures/supplies, inventory, equipment, business acquisition, renovation, or gap financing, and require SBDC collaboration as part of the application process.
• Thriving in the Verde Valley Webinar Series Quarterly webinar series providing free education on economic development topics relevant to the Verde Valley region, covering financial support options, business resources, entrepreneurial support systems, and related economic development subjects for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders.
• Data & Resources Platform Regional economic data platform providing market research, demographic information, economic data compilations, GIS mapping tools, available properties listings, and business intelligence resources for entrepreneurs, businesses, and site selectors evaluating the Verde Valley region.
• Business Training and Education Curated business training and education programs delivered through partner organizations, providing entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Verde Valley with access to skills expansion resources, startup planning support, and business development curriculum from Arizona Commerce Authority, Yavapai College SBDC, Moonshot, and Local First Arizona.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.5M+ in small business loans provided with zero defaults
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and secondary.

• Yavapai College SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partnership where all prospective loan applicants must collaborate with SBDC for business planning and loan readiness. SBDC provides business support resulting in zero defaults on VVREO loans.
• Arizona Public Service (APS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPS provides Senior Economic Development Consultant Cameron Robb as VVREO Board Chair. APS supports regional economic development and infrastructure improvements.
• Yavapai CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership providing regional coordination and support for economic development initiatives across the Verde Valley.
• Salt River ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRP provides Water Programs Analyst Carter Benton as board member. SRP supports water rights and watershed management in the Verde Valley.
• Yavapai College Regional Economic Development CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner for economic development initiatives and business start-up planning support.
• Verde Valley Wine ConsortiumnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVVREO served as fiscal agent and strategic support for the founding of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium.
• Verde Valley Agriculture CoalitionnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVVREO served as fiscal agent and strategic support for the founding of the Verde Valley Agriculture Coalition.
• Greater Sedona Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member David Key serves as President & CEO, representing the chamber on VVREO board for regional economic coordination.
• NACOGsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization cooperating with VVREO when providing small business services.
• SCOREsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization cooperating with VVREO when providing small business services and mentorship.
• NAU (Northern Arizona University)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization cooperating with VVREO when providing small business services.
• Arizona Commerce AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner providing small business, entrepreneurship, and venture capital programs to encourage and support small business start-ups and growth in Arizona.
• Local First ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Aly Saxe serves as VP of Entrepreneurship & Business Development. Local First Arizona provides programming, creative capital, and resources for businesses.
• MoonshotnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerArizona-based 501c3 nonprofit focused on democratizing entrepreneurialism, helping rural Arizona communities develop entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Verde Front PartnersnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition including City of Cottonwood, Town of Clarkdale, and Town of Camp Verde working on regional initiatives including the Verde Valley Trail Fund.
• Verde FrontnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaborative partnership working on infrastructure and economic development initiatives in the Verde Valley.
• Yavapai-Apache NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Edwin Hazelwood Jr. serves as Community Development Director. Tribal nation partner for economic development and land-use planning.
• Greater Verde Valley Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember-focused organization fostering economic environment through business promotion, advocacy, education, and services. Located in Cottonwood.
• Sedona Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member Andrew Grossmann serves as Tourism Manager. Champions business interests through collaboration and strategic partnerships.
• Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVVREO actively participated in work that resulted in ADOT funding for the SR 260 expansion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LiftFund: Community development financial institution (CDFI) providing small business loans and support to underserved entrepreneurs. Comparable in mission (small business lending to non-traditionally bankable borrowers) and product structure (sub-$150K loans) but operates across multiple states.
• Local First Arizona: Arizona statewide nonprofit focused on supporting local businesses and entrepreneurship through programming, creative capital, and resources. Directly comparable as a partner organization with overlapping mission (local business support), complementary services, and shared board representation with VVREO.
• Rural Community Assistance Corporation: Community development organization providing capital, training, and resources to rural communities across the western U.S. Comparable as a rural-focused CDFI-style organization serving small businesses and community infrastructure in non-metro geographies similar to Verde Valley.
• Moonshot: Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit democratizing entrepreneurship and helping rural Arizona communities develop entrepreneurial ecosystems. Directly comparable as a fellow nonprofit partner with overlapping rural small-business mission.
• NACOG (Northern Arizona Council of Governments): Regional council of governments coordinating economic development, planning, and community programs across northern Arizona. Operates as a partner organization with overlapping regional coordination and economic development functions.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): National nonprofit providing free mentorship, education, and resources to small business owners. Listed as a partner organization and provides complementary non-lending support to VVREO's small business clients.
• Greater Sedona Chamber of Commerce: Member-based business advocacy and promotion organization serving Sedona and the Verde Valley. Board representation overlaps with VVREO and the organizations share business retention/attraction goals at the municipal level.
• Yavapai College SBDC: Small Business Development Center providing business support, planning, and readiness services that VVREO requires borrowers to engage with before loan approval. Operates as both a direct partner and a parallel service provider in the same regional ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Opportunity Finance Network: National network of CDFIs providing capital and capacity-building support to underserved communities. Comparable at the model level (CDFI-style revolving loan funds with mission-driven lending) though operating at a vastly larger national scale.
• Arizona Commerce Authority: State-level economic development agency providing small business, entrepreneurship, and venture capital programs across Arizona. Functions as a higher-level incumbent in the same mission space as VVREO but operating statewide with greater capital resources.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/verdevalleyregionaleconomicorganization
• Facebookfacebook.com/verdevalleyregionaleconomicorganization
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verde-valley-regional-economic-organization
• Instagraminstagram.com/vvreorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VERDE VALLEY REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION