An outdoor recreation economy also puts food on tables. 

(July 8, 2026) — The U.S. Small Business Administration’s recent promotion of ranchers as the people who “put food on our tables” may sound harmless at first. Ranchers are business owners. Many are family operators. Rural economies matter. But in Arizona, where the future of the Salt River wild horses is under direct threat, this kind of federal messaging lands very differently.

When government agencies elevate ranching interests while wild horses are being labeled as a problem, the public has reason to ask: whose interests are really being served?

The Salt River horses are not merely an inconvenience on public land. They are protected under Arizona law. They are part of the cultural identity of the Lower Salt River. They draw visitors, photographers, families, outfitters, conservationists, and tourists. They support an outdoor recreation economy that also puts food on tables, fills gas tanks, books hotel rooms, supports guides, and brings people to Arizona.

Yet the public is being told this herd should be reduced to a dangerously low number. AZDA is managing toward 125 horses within five years, despite scientific guidance showing that wild horse herds need larger numbers to remain genetically viable. Even the U.S. Senate, in passing the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horses Protection Act, recognized a minimum herd range of 150 to 200 horses for that park’s herd.

That is why SBA’s pro-ranching message feels like more than a business promotion. It comes in a broader political environment where ranchers and livestock interests are often given the benefit of the doubt, while wild horses are treated as competitors for land, forage, and water.

Arizona’s wild horses should not be managed out of the way for cattle. Public lands belong to the public, and the Salt River horses belong in the conversation as a protected herd, not as a nuisance blocking another industry’s expansion.

Supporting ranchers does not require sacrificing wild horses. Rural investment, food production, and small-business support can all exist without turning protected horses into scapegoats. But when federal agencies promote one side of the land-use debate while removals are being considered, transparency becomes essential.

Before a single Salt River horse is removed, Arizona officials should answer the most important question: Is the state managing this herd for long-term protection, or is it managing the horses down to make room for other interests?

The public deserves to know.

TUCSON, ARIZONA (July 7, 2026)  — The following commercial Tucson lease report was reported to Real Estate Daily News for the week of June 29 – July 3, 2026. Reported activity totaled 113,248 square feet, led by two large industrial leases: NEFCO Construction Supply LLC’s 24,221-square-foot lease at Drexel Commerce Center and Trane U.S. Inc.’s 28,315-square-foot renewal at Broadbent Interstate Center. Retail activity was also strong, with Teso Life taking the final junior anchor suite at Tucson Place Shopping Center and The Room Store leasing an end cap space at Speedway Square Shopping Center. The week’s activity included 82,432 square feet in new leases and 30,816 square feet in renewals.

NEW LEASES

INDUSTRIAL – 2730 E. Drexel Road, Suite 2110, Tucson, 85706 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
NEFCO Construction Supply LLC leased 24,221 square feet of industrial space at Drexel Commerce Center from Schnitzer Properties, LLC. Jesse Blum and Alex Demeroutis, former agents of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, and Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Tim Healy with CBRE, Tucson, represented the tenant.

RETAIL – 605 E. Wetmore Road, Tucson, 85705 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
TESOLife Arrowhead, LLC, dba Teso Life leased the 18,002-square-foot last remaining junior anchor suite at Tucson Place Shopping Center, on the northwest corner of First Avenue and Wetmore Road. Teso Life is an Asian lifestyle retailer selling imported cosmetics, beauty products, snacks, toys, home goods and related products. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR with Larsen Baker represented the landlord and Ryan Desmond with Western Retail Advisors represented the tenant.

INDUSTRIAL – 4775 S. Butterfield Drive, Suite 149D, Tucson, 85714 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
MBI Occupational Healthcare Tucson, LLC leased 9,936 square feet of industrial space at Butterfield Technology Center from Butterfield Technology Center, LLC and Foodtown Development Company, LLC. Isaac Figueroa with Larsen Baker, LLC and Robert C. Glaser, SIOR, CCIM, Principal, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Brandon Clarke with Cresa, Phoenix, represented the tenant.

RETAIL – 5609 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 85712 – NORTHEAST SUBMARKET
The Room Store, LLC leased the 8,840-square-foot end cap retail suite at Speedway Square Shopping Center. The Room Store is a furniture retailer offering furniture for sale or lease. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR of Larsen Baker represented the landlord and handled the transaction.

OFFICE – 800 E. Wetmore Road, Tucson, 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Sunset Hospice LLC leased 6,047 square feet. CBRE’s Jeff Casper represented the landlord, Wetmore Tucson LLC. Michael A. Gross of Tucson Realty & Trust Co. represented Sunset Hospice, LLC.

OFFICE/WAREHOUSE – 2028 E. 14th Street, Tucson, 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Sunset Interiors leased 3,800 square feet of office/warehouse space from the Rosenthal Trust. Joey Castillo with VOLK Company represented the tenant and Max Fisher with BRD Realty represented the landlord.

OFFICE – 177 N. Church Avenue, Suite 315, Tucson, 85701 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
NewSun Sonoran Development Services LLC leased 2,824 square feet of office space at The Transamerica Building from TA Building Corporation. Thomas J. Nieman, Principal, and Molly Mary Gilbert, CCIM, Office Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the tenant.

RETAIL – 140 W. Duval Mine Road, Green Valley, 85614 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
Best Life Wellness AZ LLC leased 1,846 square feet. CBRE’s Bruce Suppes represented the tenant. Gary Heinfeld of Advisors in Real Estate represented the landlord, GV REI LLC and Punjab Green Valley REI LLC.

OFFICE – 6303 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, 85715 – NORTHEAST SUBMARKET
Integrated Axis Technology Group Inc. leased 1,710 square feet. CBRE’s Bruce Suppes represented the tenant. The landlord, Thorinson II LLC, was represented by Alain Hartmann of Hartmann Commercial Real Estate LLC.

OFFICE/WAREHOUSE – 1687 W. Grant Road, Suite 101, Tucson, 85745 – WEST SUBMARKET
Arso Group leased 1,375 square feet of office/warehouse space from Grant Investors LLC. Max Fisher with BRD Realty handled the transaction.

INDUSTRIAL – 1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 203, Tucson, 85719 – CENTRAL SUBMARKET
Tucson Estate Sales and Consignments LLC leased 1,220 square feet of industrial space at Tucson Tech Park from SBC Investors, LLC. Kameron Norwood, Investment Sales & Leasing Specialist, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

RETAIL – 8963 E. Tanque Verde Road, Suite 195, Tucson, 85749 – NORTHEAST SUBMARKET
Ying, LLC, dba Ohana Massage leased 1,200 square feet at Bear Canyon Shopping Center, located on the northwest corner of Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway. The premises will be used as a massage studio. Isaac Figueroa, CCIM, SIOR with Larsen Baker represented the landlord and handled the transaction.

INDUSTRIAL – 1100 E. Ajo Way, Suite 212, Tucson, 85713 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
Arcos De Oro, LLC leased 811 square feet of industrial space at Ajo/Evans Business Park from FJM Merced Associates, LP. Kameron Norwood, Investment Sales & Leasing Specialist, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

OFFICE – 1661 N. Swan Road, Suite 240, Tucson, 85712 – NORTHEAST SUBMARKET
McKenzie Psychology, LLC leased 600 square feet of office space at The Smart Building from DHS Property Investments, Ltd. Partnership. Ryan McGregor, Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Gary McKenzie represented the tenant.

Total new leases: 82,432 square feet.

RENEWALS

INDUSTRIAL – 2155 & 2165 N. Forbes Boulevard, Suites 104 & 107, Tucson, 85745 – WEST SUBMARKET

Trane U.S. Inc. renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner, LLC for 28,315 square feet of industrial space at Broadbent Interstate Center. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord. Jesse Blum, former Industrial Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, and Nicole Thomas and Joshua Wyss with Cushman & Wakefield represented the tenant.

OFFICE – 6595 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, 85704 – NORTHWEST SUBMARKET
State Farm Insurance Agency renewed and expanded its lease for 1,578 square feet. CBRE’s Bruce Suppes represented the landlord, Rio Equity Group LLC. Michael Coretz of Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson LLC represented State Farm Insurance Agency.

INDUSTRIAL – 4555 S. Palo Verde Road, Suite 167, Tucson, 85714 – SOUTH SUBMARKET
KRK Distributors, LLC renewed its lease with Pegasus Tucson Owner LLC for 923 square feet of industrial space at Butterfield Business Park. Paul Hooker, SIOR, Principal, and Andrew Keim, Industrial Specialists with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR, represented the landlord.

Total renewals: 30,816 square feet.

Total reported lease activity: 113,248 square feet.

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