The Suazo Business Center (also known as Pete Suazo Business Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 in memory of Utah’s first Latino State Senator, Pete Suazo. It focuses on empowering Latino, Hispanic, and other underserved entrepreneurs through consulting, education, access to capital, and community support. It retains CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) certification to better serve economically disadvantaged communities.
📍 Basic Information
- Name: Suazo Business Center (Pete Suazo Business Center)
- Address: 960 W 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
- Phone: (801) 521‑1709
- Email: (Fill‑in contact form via website)
- Website: suazocenter.org
⏰ Hours of Operation
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday–Sunday | Closed |
🛠️ Facilities & Services
| Facility / Service | Details |
| Business Advising & Consulting | One-on-one mentoring, coaching, assistance for startups and existing businesses |
| Workshops & Educational Events | Regular in-person classes and training in Spanish and English |
| Access to Capital & Microloans | Approved CDFI authorized to issue small business loans (up to ~$50k) |
| Loan Guidance & Financial Coaching | Includes support with credit-building and funding |
| Community Engagement Activities | Networking events, partnerships like Comcast RISE, annual summits |
| Bilingual Support | Services offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese |
Google Maps Location
🚉 Public Transit & Accessibility
- Bus Access: Close to S 1700 W; served by UTA bus routes (check Route 1700 S corridor).
- Trail/Walkable Area: Located in a walkable Salt Lake City neighborhood.
- Parking/ADA: On-site parking with ADA‑accessible entry.
- Transit Limitations: No rail station nearby; bus-dependent access.
👍 Pros & 👎 Cons (From Sources & Feedback)
👍 Pros:
- Targeted Development Support: Long history of empowering underserved and Latino communities with business advising and loans
- CDFI Certified: Trusted by Opportunity Finance Network to extend capital and financial coaching
- Community-Centric & Bilingual: Programs delivered in multiple languages; culturally nuanced
- Strong Leadership: Active CEO (Silvia Castro Bennett) featured at national summits on finance and equity
👎 Cons:
- Limited Physical Infrastructure Info: No public details on office size, meeting rooms, or dedicated facilities.
- Restricted Hours: Closed Friday–Sunday, limited weekend access for drop-ins.
- Public Transit Reliance: Without rail nearby, bus access may be less convenient.
- Contact Info Sparse: No direct email; communication via website form or phone.
🎯 Summary
The Suazo Business Center is a mission-driven nonprofit hub focused on minority-owned business growth. Operating since 2002 and honoring Senator Pete Suazo’s legacy, it offers mentoring, workshops, bilingual support, and CDFI-backed small business lending. Its strengths lie in community-centric, culturally responsive services with proven results—helping over 200+ businesses and generating millions in revenue annually.
However, it presents some operational limitations: modest hours, limited infrastructure insights, and public transit dependency, which may impact accessibility for some entrepreneurs.
📞 Contact & Next Steps
- 📞 Phone: (801) 521‑1709
- 💻 Website: suazocenter.org – includes contact form
- 🏢 Address: 960 W 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
📝 Recommendation
This center is ideal for minority and immigrant entrepreneurs seeking personalized support, educational programs, and low-cost financing in a bilingual, community-aligned environment. Entrepreneurs with travel limitations or in need of flexible hours may want to plan visits accordingly or request remote support.
