In our last column, Scott Hathcock addressed the phenomenal growth of Moonshot programming across the state. He also announced my appointment as the new executive director for the NACET campus. My love affair with Flagstaff began in 2015 when I relocated with a former employer to be the director of the Northern Arizona University Campus Bookstore. I was immediately embraced by the Flagstaff community and began to engage with local business owners. I saw a need for more small … [Read more...] about New NACET Flagstaff Leader Planning Campus Tours, Community Events
City of Flagstaff
NAU Working on Mutually Beneficial Community Engagement
NAU is also on a bold mission to expand access to higher education and close achievement gaps throughout our state.In this, my inaugural column, I want to tell you what a privilege it is to serve as president of NAU and live every day in this beautiful community. Since my arrival nearly a year ago, I have learned that NAU has a strong foundation, a community that embraces the value of higher education, an incredible alumni network, and dedicated faculty and staff. I am thrilled by the … [Read more...] about NAU Working on Mutually Beneficial Community Engagement
FBN, City of Flagstaff Partner to Strengthen Workforce
In an effort to support local businesses and combat the labor shortage, Flagstaff Business News is launching a new employment section beginning this month, “Good Business Requires Good People,” sponsored by FlagstaffCityCareers.com. Flagstaff businesses will receive 50% off the cost of their employment ads in this section, as a result of the city’s sponsorship. “The concept was created to bring much-needed assistance to Flagstaff businesses in their recruiting efforts,” said FBN Publisher Amy … [Read more...] about FBN, City of Flagstaff Partner to Strengthen Workforce
Contractors Frustrated with Forest Thinning Process
Ten years of the Four Forests Restoration (4FRI) Phase I ends across Northern Arizona in May. After a decade of missed targets, frustration increased among local forest thinning contractors when 4FRI’s two-year Phase II Request for Proposals process was canceled last fall. “It was decided to change the approach to a blended one. Instead of awarding one big contract to a single company (NewLife Forestry), the new 4FRI Phase II will leverage funding with partner organizations and timber … [Read more...] about Contractors Frustrated with Forest Thinning Process
Celebrating Positive Economic Activity
Economic Development Week 2022 is upon us! The week of May 9-13 is a time to celebrate the efforts of many community members and partners that work to enhance economic prosperity for individuals and businesses alike; and who doesn’t like a celebration? Perhaps you wonder what economic development is anyway; after all, doesn’t the economy take care of itself? So, let us begin by answering the questions of what economic development is and how we celebrate it. Economics are known generally to be … [Read more...] about Celebrating Positive Economic Activity
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
Monsoon Mess
With 2020’s monsoon season dubbed a “nonsoon” and this year’s seasonal storms delivering historic rainfall, Northern Arizona hardly seems like the same place as it was a year ago. Pockets of flooding have caused damage to homes, reported City of Flagstaff Public Affairs Director Jessica Drum, as the city and Coconino County have been working together to address the issues. The hardest hit area was downstream from the Museum Fire scar behind the Museum of Northern Arizona, which the Rio de … [Read more...] about Monsoon Mess
City Offering Competitive Grant Opportunity for Growing Small Businesses
The Business Retention and Expansion Incentive is a competitive grant program brought to Flagstaff businesses by your City Council and designed to help businesses grow in Flagstaff. Originally funded at $30,000, the program could award one business $30,000 or six businesses $5,000 each, or any variety in between. However, this year, the program is even bigger. The largest possible award is still $30,000, but this year, there could be two businesses awarded at the level! This is great news for … [Read more...] about City Offering Competitive Grant Opportunity for Growing Small Businesses
Serving, Protecting Flagstaff
We have gotten a lot done at City Hall that I’m excited to share. We recently passed the final budget, which, among many things, included funding for a fully functioning alternative policing crisis response for three years, whereby a medic and social work professional will respond to 911 calls that are not criminal in nature. Calls for a mental health crisis, homelessness, public intoxication, etc., will now be diverted as appropriate to this alternative response team, reducing the call volume … [Read more...] about Serving, Protecting Flagstaff
Walking, Biking Flagstaff’s New Public Art Tours
Imagine riding a bicycle along the beautiful Flagstaff Urban Trails in the spring sunshine and stopping to view a colorful mosaic that celebrates the native plants and animals of the region. Or, imagine strolling down the lively historic corridors of downtown Flagstaff, home to one of the largest murals in Arizona, the Sound of Flight. If these scenarios aren’t included within your 2021 plans, it may be time to dust off the bicycle or walking shoes! The City of Flagstaff invites you to walk … [Read more...] about Walking, Biking Flagstaff’s New Public Art Tours