Northern Arizona’s high-elevation winters have long been desert havens for snow sports like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and even dogsled racing. A growing number of visitors have been choosing Northern Arizona as their wintertime destination for more simple pleasures – enjoying local shops and restaurants and recreating at newly-opened snow play areas like Wing Mountain and Fort Tuthill. The recent growth in Flagstaff's wintertime tourism economy is no coincidence, according to Jacki … [Read more...] about Winterfest and Growing Winter Tourism and Recreation Economy
Flagstaff’s Fast-Casual Dining
A new style of restaurant is trending in the United States. The service is brisk and customers order at a counter, but it’s not fast food. The food and menu choices are more exotic and creative, but the price ranges are below full-service restaurants. The most distinctive trait though: a reluctance to offer drive-thru services. It’s called fast casual and many such hybrid restaurants have recently opened in Flagstaff. The popular East Coast franchise Five Guys Burgers and Fries expects to … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s Fast-Casual Dining
Remaining Confident through Market Turbulence
A volatile and unpredictable stock market has brought renewed attention to the likelihood of the United States economic recovery. A combination of the European sovereign debt crisis, S&P’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating to AA+ and the U.S. Congressional Budget Office’s mid-year projection of modest 2.3 percent GDP growth for 2011 are believed to be behind recent financial markets’ turbulence. Local investors and business owners shared their analysis and reactions to the past month of … [Read more...] about Remaining Confident through Market Turbulence
Uranium Mining Tied to Regional Economy
Mining companies and local residents are awaiting Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s final decision to allow or ban hard rock mining for the next 20 years on approximately one million acres on the Arizona Strip north of Grand Canyon National Park. Surges in the price of uranium from about $10 per pound in 2003, to $50 per pound today are the reason behind more than 5,000 mining claims filed within the past five years. While most mined uranium is used for electricity production in nuclear … [Read more...] about Uranium Mining Tied to Regional Economy
Securing Flagstaff’s Water Future
Flagstaff City Council narrowly approved a $1.8 million contract earlier this year to begin drilling six wells at a city-owned property – Red Gap Ranch – approximately 40 miles east of Flagstaff. The 8,500-acre property was acquired in 2004 through city bond money approved by voters with hopes of securing Flagstaff’s long-term water supply. Many believe this is good news for Flagstaff businesses and developers looking to the future. Brad Hill, Flagstaff’s water utilities manager, spoke … [Read more...] about Securing Flagstaff’s Water Future
Businesses Finding Challenge/Opportunity in Rising Crude Prices
With global economic recovery slowly taking place, the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) predicts world liquid fuel markets will tighten over the next two years as global demand picks up. The EIA projects regular-grade gasoline will rise from a 2010 average of $2.78 per gallon to $3.29 by 2012, and diesel fuel will rise from an average of $2.99 per gallon in 2010 to $3.52 by 2012. These national fuel price increases will have impacts on Flagstaff businesses and consumers, presenting both … [Read more...] about Businesses Finding Challenge/Opportunity in Rising Crude Prices
Cementing Hopes for Regional and National Economic Growth
Drake Cement’s nearly-complete $310 million production plant is located within Yavapai County in Paulden, Arizona – once a historic ghost town and about 60 miles southwest of Flagstaff. Bringing Drake to the region is expected to employ approximately 550 people in construction projects and provide 90 full-time jobs within the plant. Local and Regional Development Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Ab Jackson envisions Drake as a critical first step in expanding regional … [Read more...] about Cementing Hopes for Regional and National Economic Growth
