The Verde Valley Regional Economic Organization (VVREO) was founded in 2006 as a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. The vision was to create a collaborative organization of private industry and economic development professionals. VVREO was established as a public/private partnership to provide a unified voice for regional economic development issues. Its Board of Directors represents cities and towns, private industry, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Yavapai College. In order to establish and maintain a state-wide presence Board members actively participate in state-wide economic development initiatives and organizations.

VVREO has forged relationships in the Verde Valley and beyond in support of its vision to be a regional collaborative resource building sustainable economic development. Successes achieved by VVREO’s concerted volunteer efforts include:

• Led a regional strategic planning process leading to the Verde Valley Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023;
  
  
• $605,000 USDA RMAP loan and grant received to provide $50,000 loans to local small businesses that do not have access to traditional funding sources;
  
  
• $200,000 USDA RBEG grant received to establish a Revolving Loan Fund;
  
  
• $830,000 in loans provided to businesses;
  
  
• $36,000 grant received to perform a Valley-wide broadband study in conjunction with the 260 expansion, information was reported out to each community’s governing body with study results presented to cities and towns;
  
  
• Actively participated in the work that resulted in ADOT funding for the 260 expansion;
  
  
• Fiscal agent and strategic support for the founding of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium;
  
  
• Fiscal agent and strategic support for the Verde Valley Agriculture Coalition;
  
  
• Funding partner for the National Geographic Geo Tourism website, one of 22 such sites in the world;
  
  
• 2007 and 2010 selected by the Arizona Association of Economic Developers (AAED) as Small Economic Development Organization of the Year;
  
  
• Annual education and outreach programs that bring leaders to the Verde Valley and enhance our communities’ understanding of economic development and providing resources that lead to job creation;
  
  
• Received formal letters of support from all incorporated and unincorporated communities in the Verde Valley;
  
  
• Provide a united voice for economic development across the state. Board members hold positions on all key economic development Boards and committees; and
  
  
• Advocate for and focus on programs and projects that have a Valley-wide impact.