Surprise Economic Development

08/20/2026

Assistant Economic Development Director Mike Hoover cut a ribbon today with Russell Stover Chocolates Surprise Store Manager Felicia Purpura and her team to celebrate the Grand Opening of their new location in Surprise!

In addition to Ms. Purpura, Russell Stover Chocolates was represented by:
• Angela Ellsworth, Vice President of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C)
• Christi Jones, Senior Manager of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C)
• Alejandro Piper, Leader of Retail

Joining in on the celebration from the City of Surprise were:
• Kasey Peterson, Administrator, Surprise Parks and Recreation
• Samuel Pena, Project Manager, Economic Development, Spark Surprise AZ
• Michael Sawyer, Surprise Stadium Sales and Sponsorship Coordinator, Sports, Entertainment and Culture Department
• Cody Downing, Production Coordinator, Sports, Entertainment and Culture Department

Our community partners also came out to celebrate, including Simon CRE Property Manager Andrea Wilda, SimonCRE Marketing Associate Shelby Hunt, and West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder.

Stop by and check out this sweet new addition to the Surprise business community!

Congratulations to the entire Russell Stover Chocolates team, and welcome to the City of Surprise!

Check out photos from today’s event here:
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2Pr8



Russell Stover Chocolates | 16340 W Waddell Rd, Ste 100, Surprise, AZ 85388

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/20/2026

We’re proud to share that the Team West Valley Small Business Week Campaign has received a 2026 International Economic Development Council Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award in the Multimedia Promotion category for communities with populations greater than 500,000!

With more than 600 submissions across 26 award categories, this recognition is an incredible honor and a testament to the power of regional collaboration.

This award represents the power of Team West Valley with eight communities working together across City of Avondale, AZ, Buckeye, AZ City Government, City of El Mirage, Arizona, City of Glendale, Arizona - Government, City of Goodyear, AZ USA, City of Peoria, Arizona Government, City of Surprise Government, and City of Tolleson AZ - Government to celebrate and champion the entrepreneurs and small businesses that help drive our region forward.

Here in Surprise, Spark Surprise AZ partnered with Spencer's Place to host a unique Insight Session focused on inclusive hiring and unlocking hidden talent.

Together, we brought small business owners and community leaders into a meaningful conversation about addressing workforce needs while creating employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

A huge thank you to Spencer’s Place for sharing their experience, opening their doors and helping us demonstrate how small businesses can make a lasting economic and community impact through inclusive employment.

And a special shout-out to the talented students and team from Dysart Schools CTE Program – Dysart Student Broadcasting Live - DSB Live, whose creativity and hard work helped bring the Team West Valley story to life and played an important role in making this recognition possible.

We’re incredibly proud of the role Surprise played in this collaborative effort and honored to share this international recognition with our Team West Valley partners and everyone who helped make West Valley Small Business Week such a success.

One Team. One West Valley.

Check out the award-winning video below!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lySSDADpXp5StrAY5lOOAM1nXEQLEhKi/view?usp=sharing

08/19/2026

Assistant Economic Development Director Mike Hoover cut a ribbon today with LivAway Suites Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dailey and his team to celebrate the opening of their new location in Surprise!

In addition to Mr. Dailey, LivAway Suites was represented by:
• Alexey, Bogdanov, Surprise General Manager
• Yolette Hiltl, Regional Director of Brand Sales
• DaRon Porter, Regional Director of Operations
• Lori DeLeon, Vice President of Sales
• Aaron Converse, Vice President of Operations
• Dana Eckman, Director of Sales

Joining in on the celebration were Commander Moreland and Lieutenant Boxberger from Surprise Police Department as well as West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder, Director of Membership & Engagement Ashley Carroll, Ottawa University - Arizona Director of Administrative Operations Shawn Duguid, WASATCH DC Builders Construction Superintendent Scott Reed, and Assistant Superintendent Brian Estrada.

Stop by to check out this great new addition or check out their website at https://www.livawaysuites.com/locations/az/phoenix/surprise.
Congratulations to the entire LivAway Suites Team, welcome to the City of Surprise!

Check out photos of today's event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2Lnw



LivAway Suites | 14020 W. Mountain View Blvd.

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/17/2026

Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic joined local business owners Areli Hannah and Jake Hannah for a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of their new business in Surprise, Mane Casa Salon !

Celebrating with them were several members of the Phoenix West Commercial, LLC Team including:
- Bobbie Mastracci | Designated Broker, Principal
- Eli Mastracci | Vice President, Principal
- Cameron Akins | Associate
- Chris Beck | Associate

Congratulations to Areli, Jake, and the whole Mane Casa Salon team, welcome to the Surprise Business Community!

Check of photos of today's event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2yHZ



Mane Casa Salon | 16581 W. Bell Road, Suite 106

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/13/2026

🍪🍨🔥AUGUST IS HEATING UP... AND SO IS THE FORECAST FOR BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse! 🍪🍨🔥

The Arizona summer heat isn’t letting up, and neither are Surprise residents’ cravings for one of their most wanted restaurants... BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse!

BJ’s continues to be a Most Wanted Restaurant favorite among Surprise residents!
🚨 Today’s Legendary Forecast:
☀️ Triple-Digit Temperatures Outside
🍪 Pizookie Cravings: Off the Charts
😊 Good Times Index: Turned Up
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Friends & Family Gatherings: Planned
❤️ Residents Seeking Legendary Relief

Forecast models predict a 100% chance residents are asking:
“When is BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse coming to Surprise?”

Help us turn up the heat by tagging BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and letting them know Surprise has a table waiting!

See the full 2026 Retail Survey results and find out why BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is one of Surprise residents’ most wanted restaurants:
surpriseaz.gov/retailsurvey

08/12/2026

Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg helped welcome NextCare Urgent Care to its new location in Surprise City Center with a ribbon cutting alongside Clinic Manager Eric Pantoja, Regional Vice President of Operations Stephanie Swinbourne and Regional Manager of Operations Lydia Estrada.

The celebration brought together community and business leaders from across the West Valley, including City of El Mirage, Arizona Vice Mayor Jacquelyn Parsons, Carefree Partners Founder Rick West, Vice President Scott Phillips, Business Development Manager Rico West, Simon CRE Marketing Associate Shelby Hunt, and West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder.

Special shout to Group CEO of Abrazo Health Arizona Brian Elisco and CEO of Abrazo Health Arrowhead Campus Stephen Garner who also attended today's event.

Congratulations to Eric, Stephanie, Lydia and the whole NextCare Urgent Care Team, we are excited to have you join Surprise City Center!

Check out photos of today's event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2eCL



NextCare Urgent Care | 16921 N. 145th Ave, Suite 185

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/11/2026

Happy from the Surprise Economic Development team!

This year, we snapped our selfie inside the Podcast Room at Spark Surprise AZ, the City’s new business development hub!

Spark Surprise is designed to bring entrepreneurs, businesses and big ideas together, and we can’t wait to officially welcome the community inside.

Keep an eye out for the Spark Surprise Grand Opening announcement coming soon. The doors open this fall!

08/06/2026

Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg, Councilmember Johnny V. Melton, and Councilmember Patrick Duffy joined Southern Steer Butcher Surprise Owner Scott Strelitz and General Manager Damon Anderson today for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Also attending the event were Carefree Partners Investments Founder Rick West, Vice President Scott Phillips, Business Development Manager Rico West, Simon CRE Director of Marketing Nick Robello, West Valley Regional Chamber Business Development Specialist Cliff Yoder, Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic, and Assistant Director Mike Hoover.

Congratulations to Scott, Damon, and the whole Southern Steer Butcher Team. We are excited to have an incredible business like yours in our community! Stop by to check out this fantastic new business, just off of Elm Street, and see what they've got cookin'.

Click here to see photos of today's event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1VGi



Southern Steer Butcher | 16853 N. 145th Ave, Suite 161, Surprise AZ 85374

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/05/2026

Councilmember Johnny V. Melton joined AZ TURN & BURN RC owner Tim Wikoff today for a ribbon cutting celebrating the expansion of his Surprise business.

AZ Turn & Burn has become a go to destination for all things RC, and this exciting expansion means the business can now host on-site competitions, giving enthusiasts even more opportunities to connect and compete.

Stop by and check out all the incredible things happening at AZ Turn & Burn!

Check out photos from todays event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1GL9



AZ Turn & Burn RC | 12851 W. Bell Road, Suite 114, Surprise AZ 85378

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!

08/03/2026

Today, Vice Mayor Earle Greenberg and Elevate Trampoline Park - Surprise CEO John Laydon participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the opening of their new location in Surprise!

They were joined by Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic and Elevate Trampoline Park Controller Jacob Allen, Vice President of Operations Kimberly Wesolowski, and Surprise General Manager Erik Riddell.

Elevate Trampoline Park is a fantastic family entertainment destination and a great addition to our business community. Be sure to bounce by and experience the fun!

Click here to see photos of today's event: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD1H1g



Elevate Trampoline Park | 14537 W. Grand Ave, Suite 200, Surprise AZ 85374

Explore this photo album by City of Surprise, Arizona on Flickr!