Dre Thompson

BizTUCSONApril 19, 2026

2 minutes read

President & Chief Executive Officer
Tucson Industrial Development Authority

What opportunities do you see for your business here in the next several years?

Over the past four years, the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Tucson and our affiliated nonprofit Groundswell Capital have more than doubled our capital under management, channeling millions into the economy through small business lending, housing finance and infrastructure projects. Our bond programs have supported nearly 1,000 new housing units and community assets, including the nation’s largest community health center. We see opportunities to expand financing tools that lower the cost of capital for high-impact projects. By structuring disciplined, mission-driven funds, we can help accelerate housing production, support business growth and strengthen regional competitiveness.

What issues keep you up at night?

What keeps me up at night is whether mistrust and fragmentation will slow our city’s progress. It concerns me that we aren’t moving fast enough to remain competitive and as a result, we are seeing persistently high poverty rates, a sluggish jobs economy and loss of young talent. I love my hometown deeply, and I believe we’re far more aligned than we sometimes act. For decades, our community has shared a unified vision of success: strong, resilient infrastructure; high-quality jobs and education; upward mobility and opportunity for young people; equal access to quality-of-life amenities; and respect for the beautiful desert and water resources that sustain us. We can achieve this version of Tucson! Long-term prosperity requires strategic investment — and investment depends on trust. When trust erodes, progress stalls. I remain optimistic. With greater communication, collaboration and focus on shared economic outcomes, I believe Tucson can reverse current challenges and build a stronger, more competitive future.

Are there any exciting updates in your industry or business you want to highlight?

One of our most exciting 2025 accomplishments was the grand opening of the Tucson Small Business Center — a public-private partnership between Tucson IDA, the City of Tucson Small Business Program, and institutions including Vantage West Credit Union, FSL Bank, Growth Partners Arizona and The Chamber of Southern Arizona. The center has hosted more than 230 entrepreneurial and community events, and welcomed over 3,500 visitors. We have deployed $4 million in microloans, and facilitated $1.4 million in small business grants. We’re building an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, job creation and long-term business sustainability.

How can The Chamber help you going forward?

We joined as first-time Trustees because the Chamber is playing an essential role in Southern Arizona’s economic future. We see strong opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that strengthen small businesses, expand workforce pipelines, and advance solutions in clean energy and water resilience. Continued partnership in advocacy, convening leaders across sectors, and amplifying regional economic priorities are critical as we work together for sustained growth.