Just days after returning from last week’s lobbying trip to Washington DC, the Flagstaff City Council learned that its efforts paid off as the Army Corp of Engineers yesterday released its FY 2014 work plan that includes $1.6 million for Rio de Flag Flood Control Project. Mayor Jerry Nabours, Vice Mayor Coral Evans, Council members Scott Overton a and Mark Woodson and City Manager Kevin Burke spent two days at the Capital last week addressing key community needs to our congressional … [Read more...] about Council DC Trip Nets $1.6 Million in Rio Funding
Employer Health Care Options
We have been working with many local businesses that are evaluating the pros and cons of offering group health insurance in the wake of the individual mandate of health care reform. Let’s go through some of the options, concerns and opportunities the new law has raised. For many businesses, offering health insurance was a competitive employee retention strategy. For some, group health insurance was a key access point to health insurance – often, for the managers and owners. Whatever the core … [Read more...] about Employer Health Care Options
The Cage of Assumptions
Recently I was reading an interesting book (Stoic Pragmatism) by John Lachs, a leading proponent of practical philosophy. Lachs stated, “If you take a bird out of its cage, it will resist. If you open the door to the cage, on the other hand, it will find its way out and try its wings.” Although Lachs was writing about something completely different, his quote made me think of the cages we construct around ourselves. Many of the bars that make up our self-inflicted cage come from our assumptions … [Read more...] about The Cage of Assumptions
Winter Visitors Seek Flagstaff Experience
Despite being one of only a handful of winter destinations in Arizona, Flagstaff winters are nearly always the slowest tourism period for the city’s businesses – particularly hotels. For the lodging and resort industry in Flagstaff, weather plays a key role in determining guest volumes. And with an unseasonably dry January and February, business felt slower than average. However, hotel managers like Sean McMahan with the Hotel Monte Vista understand that winter will always be a slow season in … [Read more...] about Winter Visitors Seek Flagstaff Experience
Tourism Creating Economic Vitality
Between the federal government shutdown in October and the loss of Arizona Cardinals Training Camp in August, the Flagstaff tourism industry tackled many challenges during 2013. However, when the BBB tax revenues were tallied through November and added to the total receipts for the year, those challenges didn’t prove to make an impact. In fact, the 2013 figures show that BBB revenues are up 5.11 percent over 2012, for a total collection of $6,031,231. The Flagstaff Convention and Visitors … [Read more...] about Tourism Creating Economic Vitality
Canyon Tourism Propels Regional Economy
A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.4 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2012 spent $454 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,010 jobs in the local area. “Grand Canyon is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. “We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides, and to use the park as a way to introduce our visitors to … [Read more...] about Canyon Tourism Propels Regional Economy
Flagstaff’s Viola Winners Recognized
The winners of the 2014 Viola Awards were announced at the Viola Awards Gala this weekend at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Viola Awards celebrate excellence in the arts and sciences in Flagstaff. Flagstaff Business News Editor Bonnie Stevens is among this year's winners. Shawn Skabelund took the Viola Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts for his solo exhibition, Virga: The Hunt for Water. Virga, which featured five unique art installations made with natural … [Read more...] about Flagstaff’s Viola Winners Recognized
Williams Arts and Crafts Fair
May 16-17. 11:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Williams Rodeo Grounds 501 Rodeo Road Williams, AZ 86046 Williams Kiwanis Club is sponsoring this Art and Craft Fair. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To participate as a vendor, please click on this link to the pdf application: Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arts and Craft Fair … [Read more...] about Williams Arts and Crafts Fair
JazzFest Featuring Stellar Rundown
Magical Music in the Red Rocks just got richer as the March 19-23 inaugural Sedona JazzFest kicks off with Club Crawls, a Jazz film documentary, a Jazz-focused play “The Wild Party” and much more. While the sounds of jazz in Sedona continue to be heard at various community venues from churches to restaurants and clubs, Chamber Music Sedona is reintroducing jazz to its series with an unprecedented grass-roots effort. “We’re working with many community businesses and venues, Sedona schools, NAU … [Read more...] about JazzFest Featuring Stellar Rundown
Annual Home and Garden Show Approaching
The 21st Annual Flagstaff Home & Garden Show is happening March 28th, 29th & 30th!Nothing signals spring in Flagstaff like the Flagstaff Home and Garden Show! For over twenty years it has been Flagstaff’s big spring event! With hundreds of displays, this Flagstaff Home and Garden Show is one of the biggest home and garden events in Northern Arizona. Attendees can find everything they need for their next home improvement project all under one roof. Come see what’s new and in style, … [Read more...] about Annual Home and Garden Show Approaching