It is high time to get snowmaking underway at Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff. That’s the opinion of 20-year Flagstaff resident, Allan Wolfenberger. As manager for Flagstaff Quickstop, he sells supplies to customers on their way to the slopes. “I think that snowmaking would make local business income more consistent, as op- posed to the up and down depending on snowfall,” said Wolfenberger. “Five or six years ago, they had 40 feet up there and 182,000 visitors with 139 … [Read more...] about Businesses Weigh In on Snowmaking
Business
Beer Lovers Choose Cans and Keep Microbreweries Hopping
The original concept about beers in cans was ‘cheap, watered-down rice beer,’ right?” said Grand Canyon Brewing Company owner John Peasley, smiling in his Williams, Ariz. brewery. “Colorado beer manufacturer Oskar Blues turned that around; those guys only do cans.” Award-winning Oskar Blue revolutionized the microbrewery world by canning handcrafted beers in back 2002. “So now there is consumer drive, because they know that good … [Read more...] about Beer Lovers Choose Cans and Keep Microbreweries Hopping
Rural Williams May See Renewable Energy Project
Plans for a wind farm near Williams are moving forward with an agreement between NextEra Energy Resources and Arizona Public Service. “We signed a long-term power purchase lease with NextEra Energy Resources on July 22,” said Steve Gotfried, spokesman for Arizona Public Service. “What will come next will be development and building the Perrin Ranch Wind Energy Center about 13 miles north of Williams.” He said it will be a 99 megawatt wind farm with 62 … [Read more...] about Rural Williams May See Renewable Energy Project
Flagstaff Businessman Faces Tough Decisions on the Campaign Trail
Running for public office is more than a full-time job, so how do candidates manage that, plus their businesses, plus their families and personal lives? It’s not easy, and often they are forced to make difficult business decisions as a result. Paul Gosar, a dentist and Republican candidate to represent Arizonans in District 1, is challenging incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick, an attorney, in the Nov. 2 election. Despite the fact that they sit on different sides of the political … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Businessman Faces Tough Decisions on the Campaign Trail
Foreclosure Intervention Options for Troubled Borrowers
When President Barack Obama announced help for struggling homeowners in April 2009, millions of homeowners facing foreclosure or payment resets breathed a collective sigh of relief. What most of them didn’t expect was how much time, effort and paperwork would be involved, and how difficult it would be to qualify for many government assistance programs. That’s where foreclosure intervention counselors come in. They help troubled borrowers understand their options, assemble their documents and … [Read more...] about Foreclosure Intervention Options for Troubled Borrowers
Recovering From Tornado Damage
The Bellemont business severely affected by tornadoes is working on repairs and supporting families whose homes were also damaged. On Wednesday, several tornadoes touched down in Bellemont just west of Flagstaff, overturning railway cars and semi-trucks, and tearing off portions of buildings including multiple residences. Camping World, a newly established business is Bellemont, sustained some of the heaviest damages. West Region Vice President Kevin Wise tells Flagstaff Business … [Read more...] about Recovering From Tornado Damage
Reviving Flagstaff Properties
By April Laliberte. I stand with Jeff Maurer inside of the building affectionately known as “The Pike” in southside Flagstaff, sipping a hot Americano. We discuss the original floorboards and exposed beams in the ceiling with enthusiasm. This building has a history of being a grocery store, apartments, and a distillery in the basement. I am intrigued by the ingenuity of Jeff and his wife, Kari, as I marvel at the wood on the inside of the building. “Remember the scary, … [Read more...] about Reviving Flagstaff Properties
Book Stores Bracing For Industry Changes
The community is eagerly awaiting the reopening of Bookman’s after the roof collapsed from heavy snow in January, destroying most of its inventory. “We are steadily at work,” reported the manager, Andrew Shkolnik, who said the popular store and gathering place should reopen in November or December. He said they just got all the book shelves for the new store and are in the process of organizing books by type, so that when they move in, they can … [Read more...] about Book Stores Bracing For Industry Changes
La Fonda: Staying True to its Roots
Tired of the daily grind and wanting to take charge of their lives, three brothers – Sylvester, Frank and Albert Garcia – and their father, Erminio, borrowed $6,000 (a hefty sum in 1957) to start a little restaurant tucked away in Flagstaff’s Sun-nyside neighborhood. The men named their restaurant La Fonda, homage to the Spanish term “fondita,” or the makeshift eateries that sprang up throughout the West to offer gold miners respite, sustenance and … [Read more...] about La Fonda: Staying True to its Roots
Historically Low Interest Rates Fueling Refinances
Kathleen Ganley knows an opportunity when she sees one, which is why she is refinancing her west Flagstaff home. The assistant professor of physical therapy purchased her Ponderosa Trails house five years ago, putting 20 percent down. By refinancing her 5.75 percent interest rate to 4.625 percent, she expects to pocket a lot of money. Ganley has another idea for saving on her mortgage: maintaining her current monthly payment even though her new payment will be lower. “I … [Read more...] about Historically Low Interest Rates Fueling Refinances