The week of May 8 through May 12 is Economic Development Week, and in the Flagstaff area, it is an open invitation to the entire community to meet economic development professionals throughout Flagstaff to learn more about the dynamic work known as economic development. This effort is important because everyone participates in the economy, whether they think about it or not, and because the collection of behaviors and actions of one person has far-reaching impacts, including a local, national … [Read more...] about Honoring Economic Development Week
ECoNA
Two ATHENAs Rule
It was a packed house at the 2023 Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Optimum Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, one of Northern Arizona’s largest business events of the year. More than 525 people, including elected officials, businesspeople and non-profit leaders, attended the Feb. 10 event, which honored volunteers and winners of the prestigious ATHENA Awards. The room buzzed with energy in anticipation of the ATHENA announcement in which 18 women were successfully nominated, one of the … [Read more...] about Two ATHENAs Rule
Inventor’s HeetShield May Soon Protect Space Deliveries and Firefighters
Whatever NASA wants to deliver to a planet or a moon from space – whether it is medicine, robots, experiments or humans – HeetShield founder and CEO Steve Miller is engineering a protective thermal insulation product that can wrap around it. He is testing his science technologies material now in Moonshot at NACET’s laboratory on McMillan Mesa. His patent-pending material has the attention of the Forest Service as well. This month, as wildfires rage across the West, the entrepreneurial … [Read more...] about Inventor’s HeetShield May Soon Protect Space Deliveries and Firefighters
Looking Back on Accomplishments, Forward on Projects
I hope you all had an amazing 2021! It seems like yesterday our new Flagstaff City Council was sworn into office and I am very happy with what the city has accomplished over the last year. The city’s broadband investment has increased drastically, from $200,000 to $2.9 million in one year, and with new state fiber coming up I-17 to I-40, this new infrastructure will provide a huge catalyst to our economic future. The city has developed a master plan that will connect government facilities in … [Read more...] about Looking Back on Accomplishments, Forward on Projects
Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses
Three experts from different backgrounds and organizations spoke on a panel called Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses in Your Community at the Arizona Association for Economic Development Fall Forum. Although panelists Alika Kumar, Carlos Velasco and Melody Lewis represented diverse communities, they shared a passion for empowering minority groups and minority-owned businesses. The panel discussion was part of the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED), a three-day conference at … [Read more...] about Supporting Minority-Owned Businesses
Arizona’s Business Landscape Sees Explosive Growth
The summer of 2021 is leading the record books for businesses relocating to Arizona, including semiconductor manufacturers, electric car makers and many other tech companies. While most relocations and expansions are happening in the Valley, Northern Arizona is also attracting companies. In east Flagstaff, the large former Walgreens distribution is being remodeled by UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries. The company specializes in electric car components for manufacturers including Tesla and … [Read more...] about Arizona’s Business Landscape Sees Explosive Growth
Big Land Sale, Big Plans
It is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One of the largest privately-owned parcels of land in Northern Arizona is currently in escrow and is scheduled to close this year. The sale, and the proposed ambitious, multi-use development of the 500-acre parcel of land, is big news for the Old West town of Williams, 30 minutes west of Flagstaff. The prime parcel is located downtown at Interstate 40 and Grand Canyon Blvd., and offers views of Bill Williams Mountain, the 35-acre … [Read more...] about Big Land Sale, Big Plans
The Last Large Parcel of Private Land in Northern Arizona Goes into Escrow
One of the largest privately owned parcels of land in the cool pines of Northern Arizona is currently in escrow and scheduled to close this year. Located in Williams, just 30 minutes from Flagstaff in Coconino County, the 500 acres are owned by Valley entrepreneur Max Biegert, who spent 85 million to develop and build the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in the late 80’s. He is selling the land to developers to make way for a new mini master planned community that would include custom homes as … [Read more...] about The Last Large Parcel of Private Land in Northern Arizona Goes into Escrow
Electric Auto Parts Plant Chooses Flagstaff
UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries, a leading supplier of precision extruded aluminum automotive components and assemblies, will take over the former Walgreen’s distribution center in Flagstaff as a new plant that will manufacture parts for electric vehicles. The expansion of the company, based in Ludington, Michigan, is anticipated to bring 120 high-paying jobs to the region in the next year, and 350 within five years, according to Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) … [Read more...] about Electric Auto Parts Plant Chooses Flagstaff
ECoNA Receiving Vision Grant
The Arizona Commerce Authority is pleased to announce the five awardees of its Vision Grants, a reimbursable grant program designed to enhance the economic development infrastructure of rural regions around the state. The total grant amount of $250,000 will be allocated up to $50,000 each to the following communities committed to enhancing and expanding economic development systems, establishing projects and programs focused on creating jobs, and increasing wages —particularly in base … [Read more...] about ECoNA Receiving Vision Grant
