Category: Business

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Everyone Counts!

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2020 • Comments Off

It’s already August (!!) which means that we are getting closer to the due date for the 2020 Census. The due date for the 2020 Census has now been changed to September 30, 2020. This means that if you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, now is the time to do so!

Currently only 41.9% of Coconino County residents have filled out the 2020 Census.This is worrisome because this can result in a SEVERE under count if more of our community members do not respond. The Census is important because it ensures that Coconino County receives federal funds for things like Public Safety, Schools, Roads and Infrastructure, Medicare and Medicaid, and more!

District 5 Supervisor Lena Fowler’s Weekly Update

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Thank you for taking COVID-19 seriously. The sacrifices you’re making during this time – closing of businesses, cancelling of gatherings and social distancing from those you love are not in vain. These are incredibly important as we are doing all we can to slow the spread and flatten the curve. Remember Coconino County to mask up!

Although many county offices are closed to the public, we are still working for you. I am still working for you. I am excited to continue my work with, and for, the residents of Coconino County District 5. I am please to share this weekly e-blast with you to provide you with a weekly update on my efforts, the latest COVID-19 information, and share resources from other community partners resources. We are in this together.

National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation August 1 – 31

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Flagstaff’s Mayor Coral Evans is joining mayors across the country in challenging their residents to conserve water, energy and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use pledges online by taking part in the annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Residents are encouraged to pledge online at mywaterpledge.com.

UPDATED! NEW Online Art Classes through Sedona Arts Center

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Sedona Arts Center’s Online Classes and Workshops are perfect for students who are interested in taking one of our educational opportunities, but are unable to travel. These learning opportunities provide a well-rounded experience in various visual art mediums.

Our classes are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Visit us online to learn more about all of our online classes!

Flagstaff Convention & Visitor’s Bureau — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

by Community Contributor • August 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. It is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights. For a complete printable pdf list of events click below.

CCC’s TRIO program receives $1.3 million grant

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2020 • Comments Off

The Coconino Community College TRIO Student Support Services program received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The grant, which will be distributed over a five-year period, is the third such grant CCC has received since 2010.

“This is a big deal because our priority is first-generation students, students with disabilities and low-income students,” said Jessica Laessig, TRIO project coordinator at CCC. “This grant is important to be able to help these students who need it the most on our campus.”

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future — How high should we go?

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2020 • Comments Off

How high should we go? That’s the question raised by The Hub and other new and proposed 60-plus foot buildings. For over a year, the City Development Department has been working to develop a new zone—Neighborhood Community Commercial (NCC)—that would reduce height limits on new construction from 60 feet to 45 feet in areas north and west of Downtown, Southside, and Sunnyside.

This is an important and complex issue, involving the effort to balance neighborhood integrity, city character, and high density. Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is following the discussion closely and will make recommendations.

Sedona Arts Center — In-Person Classes at Sedona Arts Center

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2020 • Comments Off

Ceramics For All Levels
with Dennis Ott
Beginning August 24, 2020
The Sedona Arts Center’s ceramic department operates free from the constraints of grades and benefits from the talents of its ceramic faculty and assistants as well as nationally recognized guest instructors. This combination allows our department to offer flexible and diverse programming in both traditional and contemporary techniques.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County currently has a response rate of 41.8% for the 2020 Census

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2020 • Comments Off

If you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, please do so!

In times of crises, communities need funding, data and representation in order to support their people, and respond to the challenges. Coconino County needs your support to make sure we able to tackle the challenges we face today, and for the next ten years.

By filling out the 2020 Census, you’re helping to make sure that our community continues to receive federal funding for Medicare and Medicaid and support for the health centers we rely on to serve our people. Billions of dollars in federal aid come into our state each year for these programs, and completing your Census ensures that we continue to receive our share.

It also ensures that you are represented in government at the local, state and federal levels, and that the data collected helps your elected representatives to make informed decisions.

Make sure your voice is heard and your community is supported for the next decade. Respond today at www.2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish.

I count. You count. Together we can make a difference for Coconino County.

Certified Nursing Assistant program returns to CCC in Page

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2020 • Comments Off

The patient beds are made. Medical supplies are at the ready. The mannequins are prepped for receiving care, and the instructor is ready to teach.

Now, what’s left is the students.

After a seven-year hiatus, the Certified Nursing Assistant program is returning to Coconino Community College in Page.

“This program is important for CCC to support the Page community,” said Kay Leum, executive director of Extended Learning at CCC. “The opportunity to go through the course here in Page, whether students want to go straight into the workforce in the area or to continue studies for a nursing degree, offers so many benefits.”

LULAC Says Shortening Census Period Hurts Latinos

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2020 • Comments Off

Sindy Benavides, National Chief Executive Officer of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement about the Administration’s decision to end the self-reporting window and door knocking operations one-month earlier for the 2020 Census.

“It is simply inconceivable that we can achieve a full and accurate count by these actions at the time we need it most during a pandemic that is disproportionately impacting Latinos. This is yet another tactic from the Trump Administration to make our community invisible with an incomplete enumeration, which impacts critical funding, representation, and redistricting. Instead of ramping up its work, the Census Bureau cites the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for deciding to cut short the two most critical aspects of the census. First, there is the self-reporting phase and that is followed by community outreach to contact individuals and families who for one reason or another have not done so.

Coconino County Parks & Recreation — County Fair update, AZT Babbitt Ranch trail segment dedication, and more

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2020 • Comments Off

On Saturday, August 1, the Arizona Trail Association (ATA) held a dedication for the Babbitt Ranch Segment, Passage 35. The small, private event was not open to the public due to COVID-19. Coconino County Board of Supervisor Art Babbott (District 1) and Coconino County Parks and Recreation staff attended the event.

Statement from U.S. Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham — Delivering a Complete and Accurate 2020 Census Count

by Community Contributor • August 7, 2020 • Comments Off

The U.S. Census Bureau continues to evaluate its operational plans to collect and process 2020 Census data. We are announcing updates to our plan that will include enumerator awards and the hiring of more employees to accelerate the completion of data collection and apportionment counts by our statutory deadline of December 31, 2020, as required by law and directed by the Secretary of Commerce. The Census Bureau’s new plan reflects our continued commitment to conduct a complete count, provide accurate apportionment data, and protect the health and safety of the public and our workforce.

Award-winning CCC alum encourages educational path

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2020 • Comments Off

Barely getting by at a dead-end job, April Sandoval left an abusive husband and decided to try her hand at college.

Sitting in the parking lot of Coconino Community College in 2002, she forced herself to go inside and attend her first class. She thrived and quickly received her associate degree. She then went on to get two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree.

Now, Sandoval, Assistant to the President and the District Governing Board at CCC, can add another feather in her cap on her road to success. She was chosen this week to receive the Pacific Region Professional Board Staff Member Award for 2020 from the Association of Community College Trustees.

Local First ARIZONA — Independents Week 2020 Sept. 1-30, 2020

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2020 • Comments Off

A little later in the year than usual, Indie Week XXL will bring you a whole month to attract new customers through an extra-long special edition of Independents Week! Stay tuned for details on a new #IndieWeekAZ consumer action card (bingo style), Shop Arizona marketplace, and as always, a rallying call for support of independent Arizona businesses.

Upcoming overnight closures on Interstate 40 at Winona bridge east of Flagstaff Aug. 11-12

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2020 • Comments Off

The Arizona Department of Transportation is advising drivers to plan for overnight closures on Interstate 40 – about 16 miles east of Flagstaff – as work continues on the Winona bridge rehabilitation project.

ADOT reminds drivers to slow down and observe posted speed limits and other construction signs while the following restrictions are in place:

ECoNA Flagstaff Welcomes New Retail & Service Businesses

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2020 • Comments Off

Even before the coronavirus, brick-and-mortar retailers and service providers faced challenges. E-commerce has put pressure on the sector for years. The pandemic, along with its related economic fallout, just accelerated the issue for many traditional stores. The result is that many have gone into Chapter 11 and may not be coming back.

Which is why it’s been rewarding to see a series of new businesses opening their doors this summer in Flagstaff. Their arrival here is the result of concerted recruitment efforts, sometimes over a period of several years, by the City of Flagstaff’s Economic Vitality team and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona.

Bilingual report — Downtown Flagstaff conducting Vision & Action Plan Survey

by Community Contributor • August 6, 2020 • Comments Off

This survey is part of the Downtown Vision planning process being led by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA), in partnership with the City, County, and Mountain Line. The Vision & Action Plan will identify priorities and initiatives to guide improvements in Downtown over the next three to ten years.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County Residents Count: Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2020 • Comments Off

Coconino County currently has a response rate of 41.6% for the 2020 Census.

If you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, please do so!

It also ensures that you are represented in government at the local, state and federal levels, and that the data collected helps your elected representatives to make informed decisions.

Make sure your voice is heard and your community is supported for the next decade. Respond today at www.2020Census.gov or call 844-330-2020 for English or 844-468-2020 for Spanish.

I count. You count. Together we can make a difference for Coconino County.

Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences provides a pilot project to beautify traffic signal cabinets

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2020 • Comments Off

Artists, graphic designers, illustrators, and photographers are wanted to create designs for traffic signal cabinets in two locations:

The northeast corner of North San Francisco Street and East Butler Avenue
The northwest corner of East Cedar Avenue and North Gemini Avenue
The idea to beautify the city’s traffic signal cabinets was brought to the city of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program by community member Gaylene Soper, who supported the initiative with funding for a demonstration project.

Aug. 9 is the deadline to to enter the #MaskResponsibly Art Contest!

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2020 • Comments Off

The Please Stay, Play Distance & Mask Responsibly Art Contest is hosted by the Flagstaff Arts Council in collaboration with the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County. This contest promotes creativity while social distancing, reflection on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and drives awareness of important public health guidelines.

Flagstaff Convention & Visitor’s Bureau — Find virtual events with Flagstaff 365 Happenings

by Community Contributor • August 5, 2020 • Comments Off

CCC completes remote delivery conversion for fall courses

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Coconino Community College has finished converting Fall 2020 courses to remote delivery. With modifications complete, students may register (https://www.coconino.edu/registration) right away for the best class selection.

These changes to the course schedule and delivery options were necessary to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff during COVID-19.

Coconino County praises passage of Great American Outdoors Act

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2020 • Comments Off

Coconino County applauds todays’ enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act which establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address over $507 million deferred maintenance needs in Arizona. This landmark legislation also permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a critical funding tool for Coconino County.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Flagstaff Family Food Center Needs Volunteers!

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Calling all volunteers!

Flagstaff Family Food Centers needs your help this week! They need 20-25 volunteers per day from Wednesday through Sunday to help at their Kitchen and Food Bank. You can find more information and sign up for a shift at www.hotfood.volunteerhub.com.

*They have policies and procedures in place to keep their volunteers and community safe, including mask wearing, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing and sanitizing.* Please share widely!

Sedona Arts Center — Painting For All Levels Online! with Gretchen Lopez on Aug. 7

by Community Contributor • August 3, 2020 • Comments Off

Our classes are live online learning experiences with one-on-one interaction between student and instructor. Visit us online to learn more about all of our online classes!

Be Stellar, Be Safe at CCC this fall

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2020 • Comments Off

Sophia Weinzinger, a Flagstaff resident currently studying Business Management at Arizona State University, listens intently in her Physics class at Coconino Community College.

She and two other students are conducting hands-on experiments on the different types of energy. They all wear face coverings, including instructor Chad Davies. They all are at seats at least six feet apart. They are supposed to clean their stations when they are done with the lab.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — August 4th is Primary Election Day!

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2020 • Comments Off

Visit Coconino County’s Election Web Page and find all the information you need to vote. Important dates for the Primary Election are below for easy reference. You can also find information on how you can be a part of the process by becoming an Election Board Worker. Primary Election Day is August 4th! Your vote matters!

NAU News — NAU students, staff team up to make 25,000 care kits for students and employees statewide

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2020 • Comments Off

The care kits, which include two NAU-branded masks, hand sanitizer and a thermometer, will be distributed to NAU students to help promote a safe campus. Inside the kits, students also will find a hand-written note from one of the dozens of staff members or student workers who assembled the kits.

ECoNA COVID-19 Bulletin #11: Historic GDP & HEALS vs HEROES

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2020 • Comments Off

This was a week of eye-popping numbers at the federal level, from the release of the Republicans long-awaited stimulus proposal to the data dropped yesterday by the U.S. Commerce Department that showed how coronavirus has impacted gross domestic product (GDP).

#1. Exactly how much did the GDP lose? Let’s take that last one first, because there is some confusion about the numbers released by Commerce. In fact, you might have seen two vastly different headlines – one saying the economy contracted by 9.5% during the past quarter and one saying it was 32.9%.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Back to School Immunization Clinics

by Community Contributor • July 29, 2020 • Comments Off

Coconino County Health & Human Services (CCHHS) is holding Back to School Immunization Clinics, Monday, August 3 through Saturday, August 8, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the King Street building, 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff. The clinics will be located in the parking lot.

Flagstaff City’s Public Safety Pension Retirement System Certificates of Participation available for investors

by Community Contributor • July 29, 2020 • Comments Off

On July 23, 2020, the city of Flagstaff put its Public Safety Retirement System (PSPRS) Certificates of Participation (COP) on the market and successfully sold to investors from across the country. The Flagstaff City Council authorized the transaction at the June 23, 2020 meeting.

District 2 Supervisor Liz Archuleta — Coconino County currently has a response rate of 41% for the 2020 Census

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Coconino County currently has a response rate of 41% for the 2020 Census.

If you have not yet filled out the 2020 Census, please do so!

City of Flagstaff launches electric vehicle charging stations at City Hall

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2020 • Comments Off

The city of Flagstaff, in partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS), has installed four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Flagstaff City Hall, 211 West Aspen Avenue in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. These charging stations will support the City’s transition to EVs for the City fleet and the growing numbers of community members who drive EVs. This project is supported through the APS Take Charge AZ program. The city of Flagstaff is one of the first in the state to install these charging stations as part of Take Charge AZ.