The average visitor to Flagstaff is 47 years old, makes more than $100,000 a year, brings two other people along – often, family members – spends nearly $600 a day with his or her group and stays about three nights. Half of the 5.5 million guests who visit come specifically for Flagstaff. About a third are primarily here to see the Grand Canyon, while others are on their way to the Phoenix metropolitan area or Sedona. These are the findings of the Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau … [Read more...] about Tourism Supporting Thousands of Jobs, Delivering Millions to Local Economy
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Increasing Number of Baby Boomers Booking Trips on Airbnb
Senior guests who are over 60 are now the fastest-growing age group using Airbnb, according to a new study by Airbnb. Typically thought of as a service for millennials, the online marketplace that allows people to rent out their homes, spare rooms or other properties announced that the number of seniors who have ever booked on Airbnb grew 66 percent in the past year alone. The study also showed that Northern Arizona is one of the top destinations for 60+ Arizonans who use Airbnb. Airbnb … [Read more...] about Increasing Number of Baby Boomers Booking Trips on Airbnb
Amazon, NACET Collaboration Offering Businesses Digital Toolkit
Moonshot at NACET, the entrepreneur development program based at the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to make Flagstaff the first U.S. city to offer the AWS “CloudStart” program to startup businesses. AWS CloudStart, originally designed to assist entire countries in accelerating digital economies, provides a suite of services new businesses can deploy to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and increase innovation, said … [Read more...] about Amazon, NACET Collaboration Offering Businesses Digital Toolkit
Finding Your Inner ‘Buddha’ Without Letting Your Freak Out
If you have not tried mountain biking lately, technological advances and beefy tires, combined with world-class trails, challenging knobs and hills, stunning views, Southwestern sunsets and colorful characters take this outdoor adventure to a whole new mesa in the red rock country. The Enchantment Resort, tucked into Boynton Canyon in west Sedona with access to more than 300 miles of Coconino National Forest trails, has been building its mountain bike program for the past eight years. … [Read more...] about Finding Your Inner ‘Buddha’ Without Letting Your Freak Out
The Pantry Seeking Support from Business Community
The Pantry, an innovative food bank, recently opened its doors in fresh, remodeled space near Fourth Street and Seventh Avenue in Flagstaff. The food bank is different from others in that guests can shop aisles of food just like at a neighborhood grocery store. The new entity is helping clients formerly served by the now defunct People’s Pantry. Sandy Berry, who managed the People’s Pantry, has been named executive director of The Pantry, which welcomes all members of the community, regardless … [Read more...] about The Pantry Seeking Support from Business Community
Butcher Shop, Deli Finding New Home in Grand Canyon Café
The butcher shop, Proper Meats + Provisions, known for its efforts to use locally raised and pastured animals, has moved into the space previously occupied by Grand Canyon Café on historic Route 66. “It is a much better location for us in terms of space,” said Flagstaff restaurateur Paul Moir. “We had outgrown the southside location quite a while ago and this is just over double the size. We have more kitchen space, storage space, retail and seating space. The location is a bit more iconic, … [Read more...] about Butcher Shop, Deli Finding New Home in Grand Canyon Café
Nation’s Largest Solar Farm Being Considered for Northern Arizona
Solar energy developer and operator Clēnera and Babbitt Ranches are exploring the feasibility of a 3,500- to 7,000-acre solar farm on the CO Bar Ranch about 30 miles northwest of Flagstaff. The field of solar photovoltaic panels would be the largest such operation in the country, with a capacity of 400 to 1,000 MW, enough to power 90,000 to 230,000 homes, depending on the completed size of the project. Clēnera Director of Business Development Jared McKee says the company has submitted for an … [Read more...] about Nation’s Largest Solar Farm Being Considered for Northern Arizona
Arizona Nordic Village Preparing for More Visitors, Campers, Events
Arizona Nordic Village managers have been working with the United States Forest Service on an Environmental Impact Study following the approval of the Nordic Village Master Development Plan earlier this year. The five-year plan calls for up to 22 new yurts and cabins, and improvements designed to increase recreation and business opportunities for all seasons. New manager Evan Reimondo joined the Nordic Village in July and is overseeing the process. He says he is excited about the prospect of … [Read more...] about Arizona Nordic Village Preparing for More Visitors, Campers, Events
Runner Taking Lessons from the Track to Help Others
Many students experience a range of highs and lows throughout their collegiate career, and recent Northern Arizona University graduate Ashley Taylor is no exception. A runner on the track and field team, her athletic career was a bit of a roller coaster, lurching from the thrill of early success to the agony of a deflating illness and back to the joy of redemptive triumph. She now looks to turn lessons learned from this range of experiences into a career helping others. Taylor grew up in Canada … [Read more...] about Runner Taking Lessons from the Track to Help Others
Twin Arrows Preparing for Travel Center and Education Partnership with Navajo Students
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 20, to announce its first-class travel center at Twin Arrows Casino. In conjunction with the event, Navajo Gaming launched its first-ever Education Partnership for Navajo college students. Titled “Let’s Build the Business,” the internship program will allow 20 college-aged Navajo interns from a variety of nearby universities and colleges to actively participate in various aspects of … [Read more...] about Twin Arrows Preparing for Travel Center and Education Partnership with Navajo Students