A renewed proposal to add a 1,000-bed private prison adjacent to the existing state prison facility in Winslow is getting community support at a time when residents of some other cities are coming out against similar proposals. While some people oppose building on the city’s prison economy, many more in the jobs-starved community say that ship has sailed and the facility would bring new life to the area. Executives at LaSalle Corrections promise the facility would create 215 new permanent … [Read more...] about New Prison Could Benefit Regional Economy
State
GOP and Democrats at Odds Over Redistricting
Proposed Congressional Map is Fatally Flawed and a Partisan Giveaway to Democrats --Governor calls process Botched Governor Jan Brewer today blasted a new Arizona congressional map preliminarily adopted this week by the Independent Redistricting Commission. “The IRC proposal is simply gerrymandering at its worst,” said Governor Brewer. “This unaccountable, unelected Commission has misused its authority to draw a congressional map that is every Democrat’s dream. In doing so, … [Read more...] about GOP and Democrats at Odds Over Redistricting
Wells Fargo Saluting AZ Teacher of the Year
Wells Fargo is honoring Arizona’s Teacher of the Year on its ATMs across the state. From now until January 3, 2012 most of Wells Fargo’s 548 ATMs in Arizona will feature a screen congratulating 2011 Teacher of the Year Amanda McAdams. Wells Fargo’s ATM users also can learn more about McAdams teaching achievements by simply pressing a button on the screen. “At Wells Fargo, we believe it’s important to celebrate great teachers who encourage, support and inspire great results from … [Read more...] about Wells Fargo Saluting AZ Teacher of the Year
EPA to Clean Up Abandoned Uranium Mine on Reservation
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has approved a plan and committed to clean up the Northeast Church Rock Mine, the largest and highest priority uranium mine on the Navajo Nation. The cleanup will include removal of approximately 1.4 million tons of radium and uranium contaminated soil and will employ the most stringent standards in the country. The cleanup will place the contaminated soil in a lined, capped facility. The multi-year cleanup will be conducted in … [Read more...] about EPA to Clean Up Abandoned Uranium Mine on Reservation
Bank of America Hiring Small Business Bankers in AZ
Bank of America is announcing the hiring of 29 small business bankers across the state of Arizona to provide guidance and counsel to local small business owners. One of the bankers is Janet Monette, who will work out of the downtown Flagstaff branch at 125 E. Birch Avenue. The additional bankers are part of the company's previously announced plan to hire approximately 1,000 new small business bankers throughout the U.S. Through a relationship with a Bank of America small business … [Read more...] about Bank of America Hiring Small Business Bankers in AZ
Several Factors Contributing to Mixed Tourism Figures
Tourism seems to be picking up across the country and in the state of Arizona, following a 2009 crash related to the economy. But some aspects of Flagstaff’s tourism appear a bit slower to catch up. Nationally, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism, hotels are doing a little better than they did last year. Occupancy went up about five percent across the country. Those numbers held true regionally, statewide and for the Phoenix metro area. But in Flagstaff, occupancy rates went down a … [Read more...] about Several Factors Contributing to Mixed Tourism Figures
Phoenix Forbes Ranking Good for Northern Arizona
Phoenix is likely to become one of this country’s next boomtowns, according to Forbes Magazine and Joel Kotkin’s article, “What Cities Are Best Positioned to Grow and Prosper in the Coming Decade?” Out of 52 of the largest metro areas in the United States that were evaluated and assessed, Phoenix ranked ninth. Being included on such an elite list is very promising for not only the city of Phoenix, but the Flagstaff area and the entire state of Arizona. “Proportionally, when Phoenix grows, … [Read more...] about Phoenix Forbes Ranking Good for Northern Arizona
Several Factors Contributing to Mixed Tourism Figures
Tourism seems to be picking up across the country and in the state of Arizona, following a 2009 crash related to the economy. But some aspects of Flagstaff’s tourism appear a bit slower to catch up. Nationally, according to the Arizona Office of Tourism, hotels are doing a little better than they did last year. Occupancy went up about five percent across the country. Those numbers held true regionally, statewide and for the Phoenix metro area. But in Flagstaff, occupancy rates went down a … [Read more...] about Several Factors Contributing to Mixed Tourism Figures
What Can You Do? What Can You Be?
In the 1990s in grad school, a friend of mine was working on a project to develop a non-monetary based measure for a nation’s well being. Many had long questioned GDP as an adequate measure of economic progress or quality of life. I lost touch with my friend, but retained my interest in hers and similar projects. There have been a number of efforts by government bodies, researchers, and nations to find a better way. In a previous book review in this column, I discussed the idea of Gross National … [Read more...] about What Can You Do? What Can You Be?
Rural Arizona Seeking Autonomy in Redistricting
The political landscape of Northern Arizona could change drastically as soon as November of this year, when the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) announces its final plans for the redrawing of both Arizona’s legislative districts and U.S. Congressional district boundaries. And to meet the requirements of the Arizona constitution, the city of Flagstaff may have to be divided. Tasked with redrawing intrastate political boundaries following the release of census results, the IRC … [Read more...] about Rural Arizona Seeking Autonomy in Redistricting