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.

Hector M Treto
Executive Director

Earnest Sears
Business Consultant - Business Operations, Organizational Development, Compliance

Evelyn Flores
Program Coordinator, Financial Opportunity

Emily Malave Business Consultant - Events, Financials, Grants

Saul Pacheco Organizing & Community Outreach

Contact RAIL CDC

Positively promote policies and systems that build wealth, pathways out of poverty, and help our community thrive.

together@railcdc.org
(480) 795-8424

Augie Gastelum
Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives

W. Aaron Montano
Business Consultant - Restaurant strategies, Business Plan

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

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.