The capture of the third of three escaped murderers from Arizona State Prison – Kingman has quieted fears of law-abiding citizens, but the daring escape leaves northern Arizonans questioning the benefits of prisons in their local neighborhoods. Prisons bring positive economic impact to a community. But do jobs created by prisons balance the negatives? During a time when states and municipalities are having difficulty balancing budgets, added revenues from correctional … [Read more...] about The Big House: Cost vs. Risk in Small Town AZ
Job Creation in Northern Arizona Moderate
National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun continues to point to jobs as the key to real estate recovery. “Given the rock-bottom mortgage interest rates and historically high housing affordability conditions, the pace of a sales recovery could pick up quickly, provided the economy consistently adds jobs,” he said last month. “What we clearly need is job creation. The job creation is occurring but at a very slow pace.” On the other hand, according to the recent Challenger … [Read more...] about Job Creation in Northern Arizona Moderate
Hunting and Fishing Businesses Boost Local Economy
People in Flagstaff don’t realize how much impact we have on the local economy,” said taxidermist and sports- man Steve Favour. Indeed, activities such as hunting, fishing, and birding provide significant financial support for the local economy. “Hunters out in the field still come into town for a hot meal, gasoline, and groceries. A lot of times, when a guy drives in from Louisiana, he will spend his first and last night in a hotel,” Favour added. Locals might believe that national forest … [Read more...] about Hunting and Fishing Businesses Boost Local Economy
Tax Credit Boosting Flagstaff/Sedona Real Estate Sales
Many homebuilders, realtors and lenders expected to see some softening of the housing market following the expiration of the homebuyer tax credit. The homebuyer tax credit created a surge in home sales earlier this year. We asked local experts how they plan to keep the momentum going through the summer. “The biggest push in the momentum from the tax credit was with first-time home buyers,” said Paula Monthofer, president-elect of the Northern Arizona Board of Realtors. Monthofer … [Read more...] about Tax Credit Boosting Flagstaff/Sedona Real Estate Sales
Entrepreneurial Tribes Cashing in on Ideas
Many Northern Arizona Indian tribes have found innovative ways to generate increased tour- ism and revenues. Despite the economy, the tribes continue to move forward with new projects. One of the newest projects is the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites, which opened in the last sixty days. The first hotel to be built on Hopi tribal land in 50 years, it was the inspiration of the Elders of the Upper Village of Moenkopi. “The Hopi Elders’ vision for develop- ment was to … [Read more...] about Entrepreneurial Tribes Cashing in on Ideas
Ranchers and Restaurateurs Bringing Local Beef to the Table
Cowboy is a verb in this neck of the woods,” said Karen Landis of the Double O Ranch near Seligman. She and husband Mike “cowboy” for a living. “There’s more beef raised here [per section] than elsewhere in Arizona,” said the rancher, who is allowed to run eight cows per section (640 acres) of land. Like many Northern Arizona ranches, much of Double O’s grazing land is leased from public agencies such as Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Forest … [Read more...] about Ranchers and Restaurateurs Bringing Local Beef to the Table
Women Owned Businesses Tackling Environmental Issues
Recent reports proclaim that the dome, which will house the Discovery Channel Telescope 40 miles southeast of Flagstaff on the National Forest Service (NFS) lands, is 99 percent done. It will be the fifth largest telescope in the continental United States once completed. But not much is said of the environmental impact that such a large facility has on public lands. One reason for the lack of controversy is the meticulous environmental assessment done by woman-owned EnviroSystems Management … [Read more...] about Women Owned Businesses Tackling Environmental Issues
Jeep Tour Companies Find Niche in Northern Arizona
Although storefronts of jeep tour companies dot the main drag through downtown Sedona, visitors to Flagstaff are hard-pressed to find a jeep tour storefront. That is, until recently. Last month, Grand Canyon Jeep Tours opened a retail store on Aspen Avenue, across the street from Heritage Square. “The reason we came to Flagstaff is that we could see a huge void,” said Bret Koohns, owner of Grand Canyon Jeep Tours. Koohns, a commercial helicopter pilot, has lived and worked in the … [Read more...] about Jeep Tour Companies Find Niche in Northern Arizona
Local Economy Boosted by Wine
A proven marketing model is helping the Verde Valley ride out the economic tide on a wave of wine. “We have seen the sales of wine at local vineyards double over previous years’ sales,” said Lana Tolleson, president/CEO of the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce. “No other business has achieved that kind of success.” “In a troubled economy, consumers start looking closer to home for their products. We see [the wine industry] as a magnet,” said Tom … [Read more...] about Local Economy Boosted by Wine
Flagstaff Business Rockin’ Local Manufacturing
Bruce Zinky operates a “cantankerously independent” manufacturing company in Flagstaff. He describes Zinky Electronics LLC as a “strange anomaly,” as compared to other Northern Arizona businesses. “Manufacturing and assembly are an anomaly in an area that has noted ‘tourism’ as the leading industry in recent years. Not putting the knock on tourism, but diversifying the economic mix is necessary to long-term growth … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Business Rockin’ Local Manufacturing