Social media professionals say businesses that have been effectively employing web marketing and communications have benefited from the pandemic lockdown’s 20 to 30% jump in online consumption. “Businesses large and small with internet and social media presence have reaped the rewards of gaining more exposure during COVID-19,” said Northern AZ Social Owner and Marketing Strategist Donna Werking. “Communication with consumers has been critical, and there has been a bigger push for businesses … [Read more...] about Marketing During the Pandemic
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CCC joins statewide effort to train cloud-based computing
Leaders in the technology industry say that cloud-based computing is not only the future, but it is already here. Coconino Community College has joined other colleges across Arizona in a statewide effort to increase access to cloud computing education in schools. On Thursday, the Arizona Commerce Authority announced the initiative, with the support of Amazon Web Services, Inc., which has a goal to train and certify 5,000 students in the state for entry-level cloud computing careers by June … [Read more...] about CCC joins statewide effort to train cloud-based computing
SBA Visits Flagstaff Businesses Served Through the Paycheck Protection Program
The COVID-19 era has put a financial strain on businesses across the country, with company leaders scrambling to come up with funds to cover the cost of operations, including paying employees. One major source of funding for companies – including several in Northern Arizona – has been the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program. On Sept. 9, two SBA officials visited several Flagstaff recipients of SBA funding to follow up on the effectiveness and potential … [Read more...] about SBA Visits Flagstaff Businesses Served Through the Paycheck Protection Program
Scientists Share Findings of COVID-19 Genomic Research
As Arizona scientists conduct the most extensive genomic sequencing of COVID-19 of any state, they credit early public health response for preventing an outbreak in late January. Also, they say the data show public health interventions do work, including testing, tracing and isolating, to control the virus. In a news briefing on Sept. 15, the Arizona COVID-19 Genomics Union (ACGU) scientists reported that initial findings suggest the state experienced no viral spread from Arizona’s first … [Read more...] about Scientists Share Findings of COVID-19 Genomic Research
Stretching the Imagination
Robert “Bob” Gore stood amongst giants, but didn’t act like one, say family members mourning the loss of longtime W. L. Gore & Associates president and CEO. Joining him on the list of inductees in the National Inventors Hall of Fame are other American greats like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Bob Gore’s most notable invention was GORE-TEX outerwear, a product that has become synonymous with the outdoors. However, through his long career at Gore, first as a chemical engineer … [Read more...] about Stretching the Imagination
Loven Contracting Transforms Furniture Store into Children’s Health Center
Loven Contracting of Flagstaff recently completed the transformation of an empty furniture store into an ultramodern pediatric healthcare facility. The complete interior remodel of the old La-Z-Boy furniture store on Highway 89 adapted the space for reuse as the new Northern Arizona Healthcare Children’s Health Center. Loven Contracting executed the innovative design for the pediatric healthcare center in partnership with Corgan, a leading architecture and design firm that started more than 80 … [Read more...] about Loven Contracting Transforms Furniture Store into Children’s Health Center
Promoting Businesses from the Canyon
Though the rural setting of the South Rim of Grand Canyon Village can pose a few minor setbacks for running a media consulting business, the good far outweighs the bad for Elise Burnette. “High-speed internet is the only thing I miss,” said Burnette. “Sometimes I have to head to Flagstaff in the middle of a project to upload the client’s project there in order to meet deadlines. But I knew that moving here and it’s just part of the struggles of operating your business.” Citing that smaller … [Read more...] about Promoting Businesses from the Canyon
On a Roll
Tony Carcoba feared the pandemic would crush his electric bike rental business. Opened on July 4, 2019, Prescott Ebike was slowly gaining awareness and popularity when COVID-19 rolled in. With the uncertainty of the new virus, Carcoba closed the business through much of spring. He opened again June 1, confident that he could offer a safe, fun experience. “It’s the perfect COVID business. We wear masks while we’re at the trailhead loading and unloading bikes,” he said. “Riders can keep a safe … [Read more...] about On a Roll
Arizona Adds Nearly 80,000 Jobs In August, Unemployment Drops To 5.9%
Arizona’s economy posted strong gains in August, adding nearly 80,000 jobs over the month. The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.9%, down from 10.7% in July and lower than the U.S. overall rate of 8.4%. During August, the private sector in Arizona recorded a gain of 30,400 jobs, which is 12,200 more jobs than the ten year average for the month. Gains were posted across ten private sectors, with ‘education and health services’ and ‘trade, transportation and utilities’ at the top. “This … [Read more...] about Arizona Adds Nearly 80,000 Jobs In August, Unemployment Drops To 5.9%
Celebrating the Arizona Trail: A Dream Forged from History, Friendship and a Passion for the Outdoors
In the shade of a thriving alligator juniper tree in Buffalo Park on a sunny August day, Dr. John Hildebrand and historian Jim Babbitt sat on a polished rock bench dedicated to their friend, Dale Shewalter, founder of the Arizona Trail, and reminisced about the journey since the ‘70s when the trail was just a dream being pondered over mountain passages and dining room tables. “Dale and I hiked around together and did some hiking on the [San Francisco] Peaks,” recalled Dr. Hildebrand, a … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Arizona Trail: A Dream Forged from History, Friendship and a Passion for the Outdoors