Economic Development  Progress Continues on County Projects

This month, we are proud to share updates on several projects now coming to fruition. Each of these projects has potentially wide-ranging economic implications and will serve as catalysts for businesses and organizations to further define their business models and explore development opportunities. For-profits and non-profits alike can benefit from these projects and the resulting opportunities and resources they provide.

Equitable Economic Recovery Plan

Coconino County was recently awarded a grant to develop an Equitable Economic Recovery Plan, sharing the distinction with eight other counties nationwide. As part of the grant, the county received $100,000 in funding. The funding also comes with the opportunity to work closely with the world-renowned Brookings Institution and Aspen Institute. Both thought-leading research institutions have partnered with Coconino County through the National Association of Counties (NACo) to bring leading-edge tools, data and best practices for Coconino County leaders to better serve our residents and place the region on a sustainable, equitable path to economic recovery. These organizations will help Coconino County provide better insight into how local government policy and practice can support equitable rebuilding of our local economy.

What does equitable economic recovery entail? It essentially means Coconino County working with the community to identify those businesses and residents who were unable to access economic opportunities, such as affordable housing, business loans and employee training programs, to name a few, and creating a plan that generates equity and recovery. This approach aims to better assist those impacted by the uneven economic recovery from the pandemic.

Camp Navajo Railway Access Plan

Coconino County will soon solicit a Request for Proposals (RFP) during November to complete the Camp Navajo Railway Access Plan. The RFP will seek partners to help Coconino County answer key questions about infrastructure, demand and industry demographics in the surrounding region.

Outcomes of the study will help provide more opportunities for small businesses to access trans-modal shipping infrastructure. Maximizing the use of valuable industrial and commercially-zoned land is usually a challenge, but this challenge is being met by partners at Camp Navajo by developing the Enhanced Use Lease Concept. Studies conducted on these topics will inform how to balance the interests of private industry and the military relationship at Camp Navajo and the Naval Observatory. Coconino County has recently received funding to complete a necessary feasibility plan as it relates to private industry use of the rail infrastructure at Camp Navajo. This funding from the USDA Rural Business Development Grant helps our partners move this development opportunity forward for the benefit of Coconino County residents.

For questions, comments or requests to partner on these projects, please visit Coconino County’s Economic Development website at https://coconino.az.gov/2237/Economic-Development. FBN

By Chris Pasterz