Thanks to community partners’ support, in June, Goodwill provided over 800 services, helped 19 people in the Flagstaff area find jobs, and certified 3 people in NorthStar Computer Basics!
Below is an update on the July workshops at Goodwill. Please share the attached flyers!
Thank you for your support!
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the County’s $276 million Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget during its public meeting on June 24.
The FY 22 budget includes approximately $28 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically for Coconino County, and accounts for potential additional funding through the American Jobs Plan Act.
With almost half of all Arizonans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and new infection rates dropping dramatically, our economy is poised to resurge. Businesses are ready to return to pre-pandemic norms as communities reopen.
There’s only one more thing that’s needed: workers.
There’s disagreement among economists and policy experts on why the national demand for labor seems to be outpacing supply. Lingering concerns about the virus and workplace safety; the scarcity of child care; and federally-enhanced unemployment benefits are the most common culprits cited.
Locally and statewide, however, we are seeing efforts to encourage people back into the workforce and events designed to connect businesses with the employees they need.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will host an online town hall this evening, Monday, June 7, at 6:00 PM MDT. They will be providing information regarding the USDA Farm Service Agency’s debt relief program for farmers and ranchers.
Travis Barnes has experienced a number of hardships and false starts in his life.
“My parents gave me ‘the talk,” Barnes said, smiling. “They said, ‘School is the best investment you can make in yourself.’”
So, Barnes, a Flagstaff native who graduated from Sinagua High School when it was still a high school, decided to consider a career instead of jobs with little to no upward mobility. He opted for Coconino Community College.
Today is the LAST DAY TO REGISTER for the Work Readiness workshop at Goodwill Career Center.
Join us for a no-cost career workshop at the Goodwill Career Center, 4308 E Rt 66 in Flagstaff. Registration required for all classes, space limited. Call Jennifer Gale or Jo Starr at 928-556-5096 to register.
In-Person WORK READINESS THURSDAY, May 27, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
What Happened This Week (05/13/21) recap video
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más de 11 de mayo, 2021
More videos and information available HERE
— AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection is a platform that educates on relevant issues, celebrates Latino accomplishments, and connects Hispanics of all generations.
What Happened This Week (05/06/21) recap video
Actualizaciones sobre la vacunación, desempleo, pagos de estímulo económico y otros temas.
COVID-19: Vacuna, Dinero y Más
More videos and information available HERE
The city of Flagstaff will enter Phase 3 of its COVID-19 Reentry Plan on May 17. The move to Phase 3 was predicated on the number of new cases, hospitalizations, and COVID related deaths continuing on a downward trajectory for four or more weeks, the increase in the number of residents vaccinated, the demonstrated ability to follow CDC guidelines, ability to care for the seriously ill and providing testing, monitoring and contact tracing. Under Phase 3, the city will begin a limited reopening of city facilities and amenities. Face coverings are required in city facilities.
The Coconino County Adult Probation office moved from 222 E Birch Avenue Flagstaff, AZ to their new address at 420 N San Francisco Street Flagstaff, AZ.
“Adult Probation is happy to do our part in the County’s Space Reimagined Initiative which looks for solutions and cost savings as it relates to office space and remote work. By moving into a smaller office footprint, the Adult Probation Department is committed to reducing the financial burden of the criminal justice system on taxpayers. The last year provided us an opportunity to learn how to combine virtual and in-person work, thus reducing our need for physical space in an office setting.
APS has launched a new initiative to help small businesses embrace environmental sustainability and win more customers along the way.
The Going Green and Going Smart program is a free, on-demand certificate program that identifies ways businesses can save money on their electric bills by leveraging industry knowledge and best businesses practices.
Designed with smaller brick-and-mortar locations in mind – such as restaurants, offices, stores or warehouses – it teaches businesses how to conduct an energy audit and develop a sustainability plan. Going beyond that, however, it also shows how businesses can use their new energy efficiency to attract new customers.
Public Works Fleet Services Division’s spring online surplus property auction is underway and will run until noon on Wednesday, April 28.
The 10-day auction is open to the public and features such items as used trucks and other surplus County property that has greatly exceeded its lifespan.
High school seniors in Coconino County (graduating class of 2021) will be able to attend summer classes at Coconino Community College for FREE!
Registration is now open for the summer semester at CCC.
Summer instruction begins Monday, June 7, 2021.
Coconino Community College will be hosting two (2) free virtual information sessions via ZOOM to answer your questions about this excellent opportunity.
Step up for Youth and Families/Individuals During COVID Relief and Recovery
United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA), in partnership with Coconino County is pleased to announce the opening of the 2021-2023 grant application cycle on April 1, 2021. Grants will be due on April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This is a two-year application cycle (based on availability of funds).
Any verifiable social services non-profit (501c3) organization in good standing with the IRS, and that meets the eligibility requirements set forth by UWNA is invited to attend a virtual required training session.
The city of Flagstaff recently implemented Priority Based Budgeting (PBB), a tool that allows the city to approach budgeting in a new way. This method takes the traditional line item budget information and converts it to showcase expenditures, revenues and other key sets of data at the program level, such as fire suppression, snowplow operations, and police dispatch. To learn more about this budgeting approach visit: https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/3258/Priority-Based-Budgeting.
Arizona Gives Day is an annual giving movement uniting nonprofits, big and small, new and established, to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving. The event helps raise awareness about the critical role Arizona nonprofits play in our communities and inspires people to give generously creating a thriving and stronger Arizona for all.
Click the button below to donate today!
The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) will present a drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially distant alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
All donations go to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
Supporting partners include:
The Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños
Radio Sunnyside KSZN-LP 101.5 FM
What a difference a day makes.
For our state’s nonprofits, including United Way of Northern Arizona, 24 hours can have a huge impact on the programs we provide and the partners we support.
That’s why we are so proud to be participating in this year’s Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday, April 6. During the past nine years, this event has raised more than $23 million for Arizona nonprofits, including a record $6.1 million last year.
It’s a special day that unites supporters of big and small nonprofits to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Arizona through online giving.
You don’t have to wait until April 6 to participate, however.
Students attending Coconino Community College for the spring semester will receive a new round of federal COVID relief funds to help them with the cost of college.
On Dec. 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief and Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was passed into law. CCC will be awarding at least $552,365 in financial aid grants to students. The awards will likely range from $100 to $500 depending on the number of applicants.
Young people who cross paths with the Coconino County criminal justice system often have common threads in the tapestries of their lives, according to the professionals at Juvenile Court Services.
They’re usually behind on school credit. They have little educational support at home – not because the parents don’t want to help, but rather, they are often in crisis themselves or working multiple jobs. They’ve typically experienced significant trauma in their lives. Sometimes, there are underlying issues like poverty, substance abuse and mental health disorders.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 changed course on the County Manager Recruitment process opting to interview Steve Peru, an experienced, local candidate for the position.
Peru is the former Coconino County Manager and Clerk of the Board and current Chief External Affairs Officer of the Coconino Community College and President of the Coconino Community College Foundation. The Board will interview Peru on Tuesday, March 2.
The Board of Supervisors expressed the need for continuity of leadership and experience in Coconino County issues during the COVID-19 pandemic as primary driver for the change of direction in the County Manager recruitment.
The city of Flagstaff’s Community Development and Engineering Divisions in conjunction with the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce will host a listening tour with community partners starting in March. The meetings will be held twice per month with the goal of opening a dialogue with city customers about the development process and procedures to find efficiencies and improve the overall experience for applicants, owners and staff.
Coconino Community College has partnered with Arizona State University to offer a seamless transfer experience with the MyPath2ASU™ program.
MyPath2ASU™ allows students to take the steps needed, at the start of their college experience, to successfully plan their transfer to ASU and ensure a smooth transition process for success.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 approved a plan to move $3 million of County projects to construction this spring to help support and stimulate northern Arizona’s local economy, which has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Works Stimulus Plan will allow local and regional contractors to break ground on capital improvement, pavement preservation, road resurfacing, and other projects during the coming construction season.
Good morning Coconino Community College partners and friends,
Scarves for Scholarships is an annual fundraiser in support of Nursing Student Scholarships at Coconino Community College.
Why not stay warm and cozy this year while helping to support a good cause all at the same time?
To shop, please visit the online store at https://app.mobilecause.com/e/U1k9qQ or text SCARF to 41444. Your purchase of one-of-a-kind, hand-made knitted items will help the CCC Foundation reach its goal of $1,500.
All online sales are final and can be picked up at the CCC Lone Tree Campus, 2800 S. Lone Tree Road, Flagstaff.
Northern Arizona in winter has a lot going for it. The skiing and snowplay. The striking vistas of white-capped mountain peaks against a brilliant blue sky. The beer.
Actually, we enjoy our locally made potent potables all year long, but February is a special time as the state celebrates Arizona Beer Week, extended for a month this year due to the pandemic.
There are close to a dozen craft brew manufacturers from Williams (Grand Canyon Brewing Company, Historic Brewing Company) to Winslow (the RelicRoad Brewing Company), with the biggest concentration in Flagstaff. Some are standalone and others offer taprooms or restaurants.
The Board of Supervisors will be considering a long-term debt proposal in Coconino County.
The long-term debt will be used to fund all or a portion of the County’s unfunded liabilities with respect to the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System.
The total estimated financing cost will be $24,001,952, consisting of an estimated principal amount of not to exceed $18,075,000 and total estimated interest of $5,926,952.
Twenty-five years in a row and counting.
Coconino Community College received recognition for its financial responsibility to the public by being awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for its 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The award is issued by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.
“Receiving this recognition for 25 years is an amazing accomplishment,” said CCC’s Executive Vice President Dr. Jami Van Ess. “First, I want to thank the District Governing Board for their dedication to being good stewards of public funds.”
As the United Way of Northern Arizona (UWNA) grows in its commitment to Step Up for Our Youth, it’s important to ensure that the work we do aligns with our three core areas of focus: early childhood development, positive youth development, and supporting families in need.
With that in mind, we’ve been working diligently to transition the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program to trusted partners so that thousands of local tax filers who have relied on VITA services in the past will continue to have access to them.
We are pleased to announce that United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona (UWTSA) and Northland Free Tax Assistance (NFTA) will be coordinating efforts to provide VITA services this year in our region. We are grateful to these two organizations for continuing our work so that northern Arizonans will keep receiving the tax refunds and credits they are entitled to.
As we celebrate a new year and look forward to the recovery of our local economy, I wanted to take a moment to welcome the newest members of ECoNA’s Executive Board. These individuals represent the education, government and private business sectors and we look forward to their leadership and input.
CCC Community Education presents: CCC Comet Talk “Funding Our Future” Financial Wellness for Millennials, Gen Z & Beyond presented by Certified Money Mentor, Ashlee Binderim.
Business ownership and financial planning go hand in hand, and there’s always more to learn.
Join CCC for a virtual workshop series that will ease your stress and set your business up for success.
$55 for all four (4) classes, or $16 per individual class.
Goodwill will now be offering two career workshops monthly, in addition to Virtual Soft Skills and Virtual Basic Computer Training! See below for April’s offerings, and be sure to share the word!
Call now for information and/or to enroll for our Spring 2021 BBE, Zoom-based training, 6-9 pm, Tuesdays, June 15th through August 10th. The class fee is only $125 and includes LivePlan writing template portal access.
Graduate students from NAU’s Climate Science and Solutions program are hosting a virtual Flagstaff Climate Resilience Forum on Wednesday, October 20th, from 4:00-6:00 PM to discuss local climate resilience.
Recent flooding events and wildfires have brought increased attention to the climate threats that currently and will continue to impact our community. The students will explore and consolidate Flagstaff’s various climate plans and documents to create a centralized resource for both the City and community to access important information, data, projections, and plans focused on how we will prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Below is the schedule of upcoming Goodwill Workshops! For details on signing up, please call 928-556-5096 or come in the Career Center to register. Note that our classes and workshops will be offered only Virtually until further notice, and space is limited. Select courses are also offered on My Career Advisor.
Let’s “Taco” ‘Bout Coconino Community College. FREE and open to the public, the CCC Page Center is hosting an Open House on Tue., Nov 9, 2021.
Everyone is invited to attend and welcome to join CCC at the Page Center for food, fun and community information about your college.
Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom (and Classroom, assuming the pandemic doesn’t worsen) -based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week through Nov. 16. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available. This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.
Proceeds from the Coconino Community College Clay Club Holiday Sale help fund the arts at CCC.
Why not purchase one-of-a-kind, original, hand-made holiday gifts this year while helping to support a good cause all at the same time?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various cities and companies suspended utility shut-offs in an effort to help struggling residents. Now, as shut-offs are beginning to resume, residents are being encouraged to seek financial assistance or work with their utility company to develop a payment plan if they are unable to pay their bills.
Contact your utility company as soon as possible if you anticipate being unable to pay your bill for any reason. Your utility company will walk you through available assistance options such as setting up a payment plan, applying to one of their programs, or applying for aid through a local agency.
Would you like to give to a worthy cause? If so, you could donate today to the Coconino Community College Foundation.
Your gift in support of a CCC student scholarship during Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2020 can help a CCC student achieve their educational goals.
To her, math is the language of the universe and helps her to be a better person.
So, it’s only fitting that Coconino Community College student Niousha Toroghi would be offered the prestigious American Mathematical Association for Two-Year Colleges Wanda Garner Presidential Student Scholarship.
“This scholarship is a blessing for me,” Niousha said. “It means I have achieved my goals so far. I have higher goals to achieve, and I look forward to striving for them.”
APS has rolled out a free digital tool that help small and medium businesses fine-tune their business models and be more competitive by connecting them with market research and business intelligence for their sector.
The SizeUp Arizona platform allows businesses to input their specific information, such as annual revenues, number of employees, average salaries and more, and then instantly compare themselves to similar businesses locally, statewide and nationally.
“Access to this information allows smaller companies the competitive intelligence necessary to establish and grow their businesses,” said Kelly Patton, APS Senior Economic Development Consultant for Statewide Programs.
As we get ready to close out our celebration of Manufacturing Month, we set our sights on Bellemont, which may soon be primed for significant economic development.
Provisions in both the U.S. House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act 2021 (NDAA) would transfer about 3,000 acres – almost 5 square miles – of land at Camp Navajo to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. That move would allow businesses to more easily locate in and around the military base.
When you ask local manufacturers to describe 2020, the words that keep popping up are things like unexpected, rollercoaster and whirlwind. For the food and beverage sector, one more word could be added to the list: expanding.
Despite the challenges of this year, several local manufacturers of food and drink have taken the plunge with plans to expand current facilities or move growing companies into new locations. Some pivoted their businesses to produce other items needed because of COVID-19. Still others found themselves scrambling to meet exploding demand.
Currently only 45.1% 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!
The Census also determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives. It’s important to remember the following when filling out the 2020 Census:
Count everyone who is living in your house on or after 04/01/20 on your census form
The census DOES NOT ask about citizenship
All information collected is required BY LAW to be kept confidential
Make sure to include children and babies when filling out your census
EVERYONE COUNTS!
You count. Your families count. Your neighbors count.
Last week, members of the ECoNA Board and Advisory Council met via teleconference with U.S. Senator Martha McSally to talk about the state of our recovery, chances for a new stimulus package and the resurgence of manufacturing in Arizona.
The lunchtime discussion was just one day before a major vote on the Republicans proposed “slimmed” down relief package, a $500 billion plan that ultimately was blocked by Senate Democrats the following day.
Seasonal influenza vaccine is being offered at the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Drive-up and Walk-up Flu Vaccination Clinics will be held every Friday beginning September 11 and every other Saturday beginning September 12 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Masks or face coverings are required.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first step in protecting against flu viruses. It is strongly recommended that everyone 6 months old and over get a flu shot each year.
The cost for a flu vaccination at the CCHHS Clinic is $30. CCHHS is contracted with most major insurance carriers. As a courtesy, CCHHS will bill the insurance carrier, but those seeking a flu shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation was awarded an Arizona Water Protection Fund grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to conduct the Harrenburg Wash Enhancement Project.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation was awarded an Arizona Water Protection Fund grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to conduct the Harrenburg Wash Enhancement Project. This project will enhance the riparian habitat at Harrenburg Wash which is part of Pumphouse County Natural Area, located approximately ten miles south of Flagstaff in the community of Kachina Village. The grant award is $129,190.
When we started the COVID-19 Fund back in March, our goal was to quickly turn your donations into support for local organizations meeting the basic needs of our residents during this unprecedented time. Our expertise means we can cut down on the ‘red tape’ and rapidly get money to agencies that are highly skilled at meeting this moment.
Your generosity has allowed us to distribute almost $400,000 to local nonprofits including food banks, child care providers and homeless shelters. Often, your gifts have helped communities and populations that are overlooked or underserved.
The experience was really like trying to grab a small sip from a firehose at full blast.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down business across the state, organizations like the Coconino Small Business Development Center at Coconino Community College stepped into breach to lend a needed hand.
“When the COVID-19 disaster started, it was just me and Amanda part time,” said Gina Couillard, Director of the Coconino SBDC, adding that Amanda Hyde moved to a full-time business analyst and operations specialist in short order to assist with the demand from local businesses.
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.”
We are adding two small corrections to the links for the Southside Plan and related public hearings.
Southside Plan
After several years of community participation, the Southside Community Plan, which will define how the Southside will develop for years to come, is almost ready for adoption. Go to www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan [updated] to read.
To participate in the public forum, please visit:
https://www.opentownhall.com/9105
It’s been more than a month since our last bulletin on how coronavirus is affecting the regional economic landscape. Since that time, we’ve gone from cautious reopening to reversals as COVID-19 cases spiked in Arizona. Here’s the latest:
#1. Governor Doug Ducey hits the ‘rewind’ button on reopening with select business closures until at least July 27. Back in early May, the governor accelerated the state’s reopening, citing positive trends in coronavirus infection rates. By mid-May, the statewide stay-at-home order expired and within days of that, cases of COVID-19 began to spike.
Coconino County families and individuals struggling to pay their utility and/or rental/mortgage bills may qualify for assistance from Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS).
The CCHHS Office of Community and Career Services, a Community Action Agency, administers a Utility Assistance Program called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as a Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program to help County residents.
The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget at their meeting on June 16, 2020, which includes plans to fully fund the city public safety pensions plans. The city has entered into contracts for the issuance of Certificates of Participation debt to address the city’s unfunded pension liability.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 budget during its public meeting on June 23. The budget, effective July 1, focuses on service delivery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and responsible financial planning in light of declining revenue.
“The Board of Supervisors spent considerable time over this year weighing priorities and deliberating this year’s budget,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Coconino County is financially strained from a dramatic loss in state and local sales tax as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has demonstrated great fiscal responsibility in this budget to meet the service needs of our community during these challenging times.”
The Director’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) continues to successfully engage with our community partners throughout our programmatic divisions. In continuing this effort, this event will provide the most recent updates from DES’ Senior Leadership about the success of the Virtual Office model across the agency. It will also provide an opportunity to bring information to our statewide Community Partners regarding DES’ efforts to serve Arizonans in a Virtual Environment, how it is tracking the staff productivity, and the importance of this model. During this virtual session, our Director will be sharing his vision of consistent dialogue and a call to action.
For small businesses affected by COVID-19, APS is offering help through a special Customer Support Fund. Current customers on the Extra Small or Small Business Plans who are two months or more past due on their APS bill can receive a bill credit of $1,000. Credits are available to qualified customers until the fund is depleted.
