A stronger, healthier, more resilient community and economy with access to quality jobs, transit, housing, and world-class education for all.
RAIL CDC is a place-based community development corporation that offers corridor development, small business technical assistance, and neighborhood organizing in LMI census tracts around public transit.
In 2020, we provided 3.9 million dollars in grants and technical assistance directly to 264 small mom & pops. 93% of businesses we assisted were BIPOC and/or women-owned, all in the west Mesa and east Tempe transit corridor.
We exist to strengthen and preserve our:
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Diverse Local Economy
Locally-owned businesses — from retail to industrial and start-ups to decades-old institutions — are the core of job growth, stability, and wealth generation in our community.
Safe & Attractive Neighborhoods
Safely and conveniently walk, bike, or take transit access to your daily needs, parks & open space. A transportation system that greets us where we live and takes us where we need to go. Our homes are safe and healthy. Our air is clean, and we can live healthful lives within our means.
Engaged, Educated, & Empowered Community
Critical access to our local decision-makers so we can be heard and make positive change to keep our neighbors informed, safe, and engaged. All Mesa residents deserve access to housing they can afford, well-paying jobs, highest quality education from birth to college.
Healthy & Resilient Community
Our community’s quality of life is measured by our democratic principles, equitable access to economic opportunity without having to move cities, social stability, quality educational opportunity in our neighborhoods, clean air and water, and convenient access to essential daily needs.
Our team.
Augie Gastelum
Executive Director
Shannon Hayes
Business Consultant - Business Credit, Cash flow
Earnest Sears
Business Consultant - Business Operations, Organizational Development, Compliance
Kevin Frost
Business Consultant - Digital Marketing, Website, and Technical assistance
Emily Malave Business Consultant - Events, Financials, Grants
Ita Udo-Ema
Business consultant - Video production
W. Aaron Montano
Business Consultant - Restaurant strategies, Business Plan, an
Aisha Harris
Business Consultant - Bookkeeping, Data Entry, Payroll.
Tram Thi Phuong Bui
Business Consultant - Translator & Interpreter
Contact RAIL CDC
Positively promote policies and systems that build wealth, pathways out of poverty, and help our community thrive.
together@railcdc.org
(480) 331-3049
PO Box 4566
Mesa, Arizona 85211-1484
David Carrizosa
Accesso Capital
Anthony Ruiz
Desert Commercial Advisors
Manuel Lucero
Business Consultant
Our Board of Directors
Jose Anca, Chair
Jose is a young bilingual professional passionate about engaging small business owners and improving corporate social strategy through a lens of inclusion and equity. He is currently serving as the Capital Access Manager at the BBB PacSW.
David Crummey, Vice-Chair
David has worked directly with cities, businesses, neighbors, and nonprofits to focus work at both the large and small scale to benefit residents and support small-business. Projects include the Mesa Urban Garden, Mesa Artspace Lofts, and the Mesa Prototyping Festival.
Ryan Wozniak, Member
Ryan Wozniak is coming up on 10 years as a practicing Planner with a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning from ASU. Ryan has long indulged his curious side with exploring technology, politics, and community awareness.
Mark Roseland, Member
Mark Roseland is professor and past director of the School of Community Resources and Development at Arizona State University, and senior sustainability scientist with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at ASU
Nyasha Stone-Sheppard, Member
Nyasha is the Community Manager for Mesa Innovation Studios in downtown Mesa, which is a space for entrepreneurs and innovators as they explore their ideas or look to scale their small business.
Nadia Khalighi, Member
Nadia Khalighi is the Senior Community Engagement Coordinator for the Arizona Fair Housing Center and has years of experience working to promote diversity, inclusivity with compassion to educate, inspire and bring awareness of plant-based lifestyle.
Johanna Richards, Member
Johanna is the Program Manager for ASU @ Mesa City Center. Her background is in social services and grassroots/local program development. She’s worked in the Midwest and Southwest as well as in Central Asia.
Jen Duff, ex officio
Mesa Councilmember for District 4, central and downtown Mesa. Native of Mesa and resident of downtown Mesa. Entrepreneur and business owner since 1990, co-founder of RAIL. Member of Mesa Rotary, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Work with us
Opportunities to work or consult with RAIL CDC are updated on this website and sent via our mailing list.
Current Opportunities:
RAIL CDC RFP- Commercial Corridor Manager
RAIL CDC is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek qualified firms or individuals who are able to identify and develop economic and community strategies for redevelopment of Distrito Latino neighborhoods and business corridors Broadway Road in Mesa, AZ
Services would include:
Complete a retail analysis/scan for the Distrito Latino service area.
Provide communities with tangible tools for economic development and improve the corridor's readiness for other important community enhancements, such as the light rail;
Consultants will work with and support RAIL CDC staff to educate and support the community around anti-displacement strategies.
Please download and read the entire RFQ for more information about this opportunity.
Closing Date: Proposals will be accepted until Feb. 28th, 2022
Past Opportunities: Please note below RFP’s are no longer available
Request for Proposals - CPA Consultant for Annual External Audit and Yearly Tax Filing Form 990
RAIL CDC is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek qualified individuals or firms who can provide non-profit audits services and prepare annual Form 990.
Services would include:
Audit of financial statements
Review financial statements
Compiling financial statements
Internal Audit Service
Please download and read the entire RFQ for more information about this opportunity.
Current status: CLOSED
Closing Date: Proposals will be accepted until Friday, August 13, 2021
Business Consultants to Deliver Technical Assistance to Locally-Owned Micro and Small Businesses in Tempe and Mesa, AZ.
RAIL CDC is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to seek qualified firms or individuals who are able to provide business technical assistance to micro and small businesses to help these locally-owned businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic and thrive into the future.
Please download and read the entire RFQ for more information about this opportunity.
Current status: Open (Feb. 2021)
Closing Date: Proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Corridor Project Manager - Request for Proposals
RAIL CDC seeks proposals for a Project Manager Consultant. All applicants must have relevant project management experience, working with private and government funding. RAIL CDC is looking for a project manager to help facilitate and coordinate the RAIL CDC small business technical assistance program within the RAIL CDC service area as well as coordinating the array of consultants that will be needed to execute the program.
Current status: CLOSED
Closing Date: CLOSED
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