Website editor's note: Memorial Day Weekend marks the start of festival season in Northern Arizona. In addition to several events memorializing fallen military men and women, there are numerous other events in the high country. Art in the Park is held at Wheeler Park in Downtown Flagstaff and the 19th Annual Zuni Festival is at the Museum of Northern Arizona. The following article describes just some of the events held each season in Northern Arizona. Despite the May exodus of thousands of … [Read more...] about Summer Festivals Bolstering Economy
Bringing Local Technologists Together
Through monthly meetings, the members of “Meet the Geeks” are looking to take their technology businesses – and tech startups in Flagstaff, as a whole – to the next level. The group is sponsored by the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurial Technologies (NACET), which also provides space for them to meet. Stacy Fobar, a representative of NACET, says the idea behind getting the “Geeks” together goes far beyond just networking, and is an initiative aimed at fostering the development of … [Read more...] about Bringing Local Technologists Together
Arizonans Concerned About Tusayan Developments
For years, Flagstaff and Williams have billed themselves as the gateways to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon – the conduits through which tourists must stop, rest, eat and, most importantly for local businesses, spend money. However, as the tiny town of Tusayan gears up for a big residential and commercial development that will place hotels and restaurants mere minutes away from the park, those roles may be set to change. Stilo Development Group USA, an Italian real estate firm, has … [Read more...] about Arizonans Concerned About Tusayan Developments
Post Office Adjusting to Changing Needs
While it is the busiest time of year for the U.S. Postal Service, the federal agency continues to lose money. Next month, the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission plans to review 3,653 post offices for possible closure. Those potential closures could significantly change postal service in the United States. Beginning January 22, 2012, the cost of a first class stamp will increase to 45 cents. The following story was prepared by FBN's Kevin Bertram, examining some of the issues. In a … [Read more...] about Post Office Adjusting to Changing Needs
Weighing the Benefits of a Marketing Budget
In difficult economic times, many small businesses are forced to make difficult choices regarding their budgets. And while it may seem like a relatively easy choice to cut a marketing and advertising initiative before many other alternatives, the results – according to some within the Northern Arizona business community – could be devastating. In the view of Joe Bodin, a small business owner who runs a marketing agency known as FlagstaffCentral.com, the decision about whether to market or not … [Read more...] about Weighing the Benefits of a Marketing Budget
Rural Arizona Seeking Autonomy in Redistricting
The political landscape of Northern Arizona could change drastically as soon as November of this year, when the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) announces its final plans for the redrawing of both Arizona’s legislative districts and U.S. Congressional district boundaries. And to meet the requirements of the Arizona constitution, the city of Flagstaff may have to be divided. Tasked with redrawing intrastate political boundaries following the release of census results, the IRC … [Read more...] about Rural Arizona Seeking Autonomy in Redistricting
NAU Grad’s Program Helping Sell Sun, Wind Power
In 2001, the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technologies (NACET) – then known as the Northern Arizona Technology & Business Incubator (NATBI) – was founded to help develop small tech start-ups in the Flagstaff area. That same year, Brad Van Orden began studying mechanical engineering at NAU. Few could have foreseen that Van Orden would eventually go on to become one of NACET’s greatest success stories. Brad Van Orden, founder of the now-acquired SunWind Solutions … [Read more...] about NAU Grad’s Program Helping Sell Sun, Wind Power
Jobs Report Showing Signs of Growth
According to the latest Arizona Workforce Employment Report released last month, the percentage of unemployed Arizonans dropped from 9.3 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May – the third consecutive decrease since February, and one that brings Arizona’s unemployment in line with the rest of the nation’s. Despite the continued drop in unemployed Arizonans, Ronald Gunderson, a professor of economics at NAU, said the state – along with the rest of the nation – has a long path out of the … [Read more...] about Jobs Report Showing Signs of Growth
The Economic Impact of Camping for Northern Arizona
It has been a busy July for campers in Northern Arizona. For the government, people and businesses of Flagstaff, camping means much more than sleeping bags and s’mores. In a city surrounded by the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest, many stores are finding that the great outdoors is good business. The downtown Flagstaff store Peace Surplus receives a large piece of their profits from catering to the needs of campers, owner Steve Chatinsky said. “About 30 to 40 percent of our overall … [Read more...] about The Economic Impact of Camping for Northern Arizona
Presidio Development Moving Forward
At Flagstaff City Council’s noon meeting Tuesday, councilmembers voted to approve the Presidio in the Pines Surety Completion Agreement — an accord with the Phoenix-based American Contractors Indemnity Company (ACIC), which will complete work on the development as promised to the city in 2004. Sized at 91 acres, Presidio in the Pines is a mixed-use development on S. Woody Mountain Rd. on Flagstaff’s west side. In 2004, the city reached an agreement with Premiere Acquisitions that would allow … [Read more...] about Presidio Development Moving Forward
