Growth Partners Arizona Named Official Lending Partner in Arizona’s SSBCI Program

Phoenix, AZ – Growth Partners Arizona is proud to announce that it has officially signed on as a lending partner in the Arizona State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, expanding its ability to provide accessible and affordable capital to small businesses across the state.

The SSBCI program, a federal initiative administered by the Arizona Commerce Authority, is designed to increase credit availability for small businesses, particularly those that are owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and located in Arizona’s underserved communities. As a lending partner, Growth Partners Arizona will now have access to additional resources to help Arizona entrepreneurs secure the financing they need to grow, hire, and build long-term sustainability.

“Becoming a lending partner in the SSBCI program strengthens our mission to advance economic equity across Arizona,” said Andre T. Whittington, Executive Director of Growth Partners Arizona. “This collaboration ensures SSBCI funds are directed to the small, community-rooted businesses that are driving Arizona forward. It’s about more than capital—it’s about investing in the people, ideas, and enterprises that shape the future of our state.”

For nearly a decade, Growth Partners Arizona has been focused on bridging the gap in small business lending through flexible, community-based financing. This new SSBCI partnership reflects the organization’s continued leadership in delivering mission-aligned capital, technical assistance, and financial education to Arizona’s most promising—but often overlooked—entrepreneurs.

Through this collaboration, Growth Partners Arizona will be able to:

• Increase lending opportunities in communities historically excluded from traditional financing
• Support small business owners with accessible, non-predatory loan options
• Strengthen Arizona’s economic resilience through mission-driven investments

Business owners interested in learning more about SSBCI-backed funding opportunities or how to apply can visit www.growthpartnersaz.org. They can also register for our upcoming Virtual Business Loan Readiness Session.

About Growth Partners Arizona
Growth Partners Arizona is a mission-driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that delivers capital, tailored training, and strategic coaching to small businesses and nonprofits across Arizona. Its initiatives support economic stability and promote long-term growth in local communities.