Tag: Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Impact of Forestry on Our Safety – and Our Economy

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2025 • Comments Off

Northern Arizona’s rich, dense forests are among the many reasons why people love to live and work in our region. But the beauty and recreational opportunities of these endless acres of green come with a risk in an area that is known for its dry and often windy conditions – the threat of wildfire.

Numerous entities are dedicated to reducing that risk. Northern Arizona University’s School of Forestry specifically offers a BS in Applied Wildland Fire Science; APS has a dedicated Forestry and Wildfire Mitigation team; and the 4FRI project continues to use thinning and prescribed burns to lessen the threat of wildfires – and post-wildfire flooding – to communities throughout northern Arizona.

The work of these entities not only impacts our safety – it also has an economic impact for the region.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Happy New Year!

by Community Contributor • December 31, 2024 • Comments Off

Hello,

As we move into 2025 this week, the Board and investors of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year.

Our region’s economy is ever-evolving, and we’re excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to strengthen key business sectors, address challenges facing our communities, and foster a thriving environment for both industries and individuals in northern Arizona.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to collaborating with you in the year ahead.

Wishing you a successful and fulfilling 2025.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Arts: A Cornerstone of Northern Arizona’s Economic Growth

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2024 • Comments Off

The arts are more than a source of inspiration – they are a vital economic driver for northern Arizona.

We know from data collected by the national Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), the latest economic impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts, that the arts account for more than $85 million in direct economic activity in Flagstaff annually, and another $13.5 million in Sedona.

The arts are one of the top 10 sectors in the region based on employment and our 5-year Strategic Plan calls for community leaders to support the expansion and enhancement of arts and cultural venues and offerings within our communities.

Happy Thanksgiving from Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)

by Community Contributor • November 26, 2024 • Comments Off

On behalf of the leadership of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona, I want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the communities we proudly serve.

We are deeply thankful for the unwavering support of our partners – local businesses, government entities, and countless individuals – who have been instrumental in shaping and strengthening our regional economy.

As we celebrate this holiday weekend with family and friends, let us reflect on the many blessings we share here in northern Arizona, from our abundant natural resources to the incredible talent and dedication of those committed to our region’s prosperity.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Happy Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (Nov. 20)

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2024 • Comments Off

As we celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day today, we are reminded of the incredible strides women have made in business and entrepreneurship – and of the significant challenges that remain.

According to Wells Fargo’s inaugural Impact of Women-Owned Businesses, which was released earlier this year, women own more than 14 million businesses in the United States (about 39% of all companies), employing more than 12.2 million people and generating $2.7 trillion in annual revenue. In non-employer businesses, Arizona has a higher share of women-owned businesses than the United States as a whole.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — A Time of Change and Expansion at Lowell Observatory

by Community Contributor • November 7, 2024 • Comments Off

(On Nov. 8), the leadership of this 130 year old institution will transfer from Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Hall to Dr. Amanda Bosh, currently the observatory’s chief operating officer. The following weekend, Lowell will celebrate the grand opening of its $53 million Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC).

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Power of Workforce Visualization

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2024 • Comments Off

How can a community better plan for its workforce needs?

Given the increasing complexity of our economy and the difficulty of obtaining reliable data, it can be challenging for policymakers, businesses, and educators to plan for future growth.

That challenge is being addressed by the Arizona Education and Workforce Visualization Project, part of the Arizona State University / Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence.

The director of the Decision Center, Dr. Joe O’Reilly, will be presenting on the tools from the visualization project at an upcoming meeting of ECoNA’s Advisory Council.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Northern Arizona Bioscience Advancements

by Community Contributor • September 19, 2024 • Comments Off

This is Arizona Bioscience Week, and there is no better time to spotlight the significant wins for bio-based businesses in Northern Arizona. From groundbreaking medical advancements to a growing bioscience ecosystem, the region is strengthening its position as a leader in innovation in the sector.

Here are some of the recent highlights:

Last month, Northern Arizona Healthcare announced it had entered into a cancer care coordination agreement with City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the nation, to help treat complex or rare cases of cancer in northern Arizona. The model will increase access to cancer care for northern Arizonans, and allow them to get expert support from City of Hope providers without having to leave NAH oncology care.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The ECoNA Q&A: Dave Cheney

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2024 • Comments Off

Dave Cheney is CEO & President at Northern Arizona Healthcare, leading Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center, primary care and specialty clinics throughout Northern Arizona. Prior to joining NAH, Dave served as President and CEO of Sutter Hospitals. He led six area CEOs and oversaw the 24 hospitals within the Sutter Health System, following his tenure as CEO of Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

Cheney is a member of the ECoNA Board. Below is an excerpt from our recent interview with him. You can see the full interview here.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Evolving Retail Sector in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • August 16, 2024 • Comments Off

Good afternoon,

At first glance, it’s felt like a cruel summer for northern Arizona’s retail sector, with a string of announcements about store and restaurant closings. Often they were places that had been staples of the community for years: Big Lots, Kachina Kitchen, Peter Piper Pizza, Grimaldi’s.

While those businesses will certainly be missed, their closings don’t tell the whole story of the retail landscape in our region.

When a retail business closes, it often creates opportunities for new businesses to emerge, a life cycle that’s a part of how this sector evolves.

Throughout northern Arizona, we’ve had far more retail business launches than closures this year.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Northern Arizona Represented at SEMICON West

by Community Contributor • August 1, 2024 • Comments Off

ECoNA with its municipality partners got a chance to promote northern Arizona to hundreds of semiconductor manufacturers and related businesses during the recent SEMICON West expo in San Francisco.

According to SEMI, the international trade organization that organizes the expo, global sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment are poised to reach $109 billion this year, a new industry record. ECoNA’s 5-year Strategic Plan identifies advanced manufacturing as one of the five sectors the region should pursue for economic development.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Camp Verde Embraces a New Era

by Community Contributor • July 18, 2024 • Comments Off

Camp Verde is a town in transition.

The municipality of about 13,000 residents has changed leadership recently, with Town Manager Miranda Fisher coming on board in late May. Within a few weeks, Fisher promoted Economic Development Director Molly Davies to Deputy Town Manager. Davies, who is a member of the ECoNA Executive Board, will continue her role as ED director until a replacement can be found.

Fisher says that promoting Davies was in line with keeping economic development front and center for the Verde Valley community.

“All departments are vital, but I think in Camp Verde, economic development is one of the most essential, given the town’s desire to grow and increase business retention and recruitment,” Fisher said.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Celebrating the 4th of July in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • June 27, 2024 • Comments Off

It’s no secret that 4th of July events can be an economic driver, with parades, festivals, and fireworks prompting tourists to visit communities large and small. In northern Arizona we are fortunate to have a wide range of Independence Day events for visitors – and locals – to enjoy.

The celebrations start early in Flagstaff where hundreds of runners will compete in the Downtown Mile, a series of races held prior to the annual 4th of July Parade. There are races for all levels of runners, including elite races for cash prizes and one just for children. The first race starts at 6:30 am.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Winslow Launches Housing Incentive Programs

by Community Contributor • June 20, 2024 • Comments Off

Winslow is taking a two-prong approach to creating more workforce housing to address current needs and also prepare for future development in the city of about 10,000 residents.

According to the Strategic Plan that ECoNA released last year, Winslow has a deficit of about 750 workforce housing units between the current gap and projected growth over the next five years. The current number of dwelling units is about 2,900, with another 180 in the pipeline, said Jack Fitchett, the city’s Economic Development Director.

“We have some pretty large plans for development,” he added, including a large industrial park. “That’s going to require pretty significant labor, and that’s not going to happen if those people don’t have a place to live.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Cultivating (and Funding) Entrepreneurs in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • May 31, 2024 • Comments Off

At the ECoNA Advisory Council meeting last week, we took a deep dive into programs dedicated to cultivating budding entrepreneurs in northern Arizona.

The initiatives range from a free entry-level program to help potential entrepreneurs determine if their innovative ideas could be commercialized, to loans and venture capital investments for early-stage businesses.

Cristy Salanga, Patent Manager at Northern Arizona University, discussed the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, an immersive entry-level training program, which focuses on determining the potential customers of a business as well as the potential value proposition of a product or service.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Flagstaff Technology Park Poised for Development

by Community Contributor • April 25, 2024 • Comments Off

Work has begun to transform a 31.45-acre parcel just west of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport into a technology park focusing on cutting-edge businesses and research.

Genterra Enterprises, the master developer of the Northern Arizona Technology Park, recently completed negotiations with the City of Flagstaff to secure a long-term ground lease for the parcel, which was originally granted to the City by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The development is one of the largest shovel ready projects in northern Arizona and the only one dedicated to technology enterprises. It’s zoned Highway Commercial and the land is fully entitled, streamlining the approval process for interested companies, said Tim Kinney, President & CEO at Genterra.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Bioscience Roadmap Update

by Community Contributor • March 29, 2024 • Comments Off

We are all aware of the crucial role the bioscience sector plays in driving innovation, economic growth, and improving healthcare outcomes in Arizona. We hope you will join us next month for a virtual update on Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap.

The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan more than two decades ago, will host the free Zoom session from 12 – 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22. You can register to attend HERE.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Nurturing Talent Through Apprenticeships

by Community Contributor • March 19, 2024 • Comments Off

It is hard to overstate the importance of apprenticeship programs in today’s economy, where numerous industries have identified a persistent “skills gap” in the workforce.

The State of Arizona’s Office of Economic Opportunity recently announced it is working to expand registered construction and trade apprenticeship programs with grants from its BuildItAZ initiative, but time is running out to apply for these funds.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) board meets with Sen. Mark Kelly

by Community Contributor • February 27, 2024 • Comments Off

The Board of ECoNA had a robust, wide-ranging conversation with Senator Mark Kelly recently that covered infrastructure improvements in northern Arizona, possible strategies for addressing our chronic housing shortage here, and the senator’s profound disappointment that the border security bill that was negotiated in Congress did not garner enough support to pass.

Earlier in the day, Senator Kelly had presided over a field hearing of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee at City Hall, which focused on a progress report from local officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Rio de Flag Flood Control project.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Home Rental Landscape in Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2024 • Comments Off

According to statistics from the Northern Arizona Association of Realtors, the surge in home prices in Flagstaff slowed down dramatically in 2023. After increases of 11.8% in 2020, 25.2% in 2021, and 13.6% in 2022, the median sales price for a residential home grew 1.3% in the past year – from $618,697 in 2022 to $626,500 last year.

Although the latest figures may indicate that the price to buy a home has reached a plateau, rental property prices are still climbing.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — 2023 Recap, Plus Remembering Amanda and Dennis

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2023 • Comments Off

This year has been pivotal for the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona not only for what was accomplished, but also for the roadmap we are developing for the future.

Our top story for 2023 was the creation of our 5-year Strategic Plan (which you can download here) as we contemplated the most critical issues we must address to ensure continued economic vitality for our region.

One of the important aspects for our economic health is trade, and we were pleased to host the Consul General of Mexico, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council in Flagstaff. We opened up our Advisory Council meeting to the entire business community so everyone could benefit from the insights of these two representatives of Arizona’s largest two trading partners.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Advantages of a Thriving Economy

by Community Contributor • November 16, 2023 • Comments Off

As Ioanna Morfessis, President & CEO of IO, Inc., recently put it: “Economies don’t remain static; there is no stasis. They either grow and progress or they regress.”

Morfessis and Danny Court of Elliott Pollack & Co. co-authored the recently released Strategic Plan created on behalf of ECoNA to outline a roadmap for the region’s economic future.

Their reporting indicates that Northern Arizona faces a major decision: whether the region’s economy will continue to remain competitive or if anti-growth sentiment will lead to stagnation and possible economic erosion.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) Holds Manufacturing Tours for High School Students

by Community Contributor • October 26, 2023 • Comments Off

As part of our celebration of Manufacturing Month, the ECoNA Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) team recently organized a tour of three local manufacturers for 17 juniors and seniors from Flagstaff and Coconino high schools to show the rewarding work – and excellent pay – available in this sector.

The Arizona Office of Economic Security projects that between 2022 and 2024, there will be an 8.2% increase in manufacturing jobs in Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai counties. This equates to more than 100 new jobs.

“Our intent is to have more of these educational tours throughout the northern Arizona region,” said Cynthia Hudspeth, the newly named Director of Operations at ECoNA who attended the tours with the students. “The message is to show students the possible careers right here in their backyard and that they can work, live and stay in northern Arizona.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Join Us (Oct. 11) for a Webinar on Prop 480

by Community Contributor • October 10, 2023 • Comments Off

You are cordially invited to join us tomorrow for a special webinar on Prop. 480, the citizens of Flagstaff’s referendum on the re-zoning of the proposed Northern Arizona Hospital site. The re-zoning of the site was approved by the Flagstaff City Council earlier this year.

This Arizona Civic Exchange (CivEx) event, which will be held from 2 – 3 p.m. (MST), is being sponsored by the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, a part of the Flinn Foundation. The webinar is being presented in conjunction with the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance Community Civility Project.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — View Webinars Providing Insights to 5-Year Strategic Plan

by Community Contributor • September 28, 2023 • Comments Off

Good afternoon,

Late last month, we released our comprehensive 5-year Strategic Plan, a roadmap for economic growth in northern Arizona that was created for ECoNA by Elliott D. Pollack & Co. and IO, Inc.

Over the past few weeks, representatives of those companies have been leading a series of webinars that drill down on three key aspects of the plan: housing challenges, the local labor shed, and sectors that northern Arizona should be targeting for greater prosperity.

What’s made these webinars fascinating is not only the in-depth analysis provided by Danny Court and Ioanna Morfessis, the principal authors of the roadmap, but also the insightful questions from webinar participants as we study where northern Arizona is now – and where we want to be headed.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — 5-Year Strategic Plan Released

by Community Contributor • August 31, 2023 • Comments Off

Earlier this week, representatives from Elliott D. Pollack & Co. and IO Inc. presented an overview of their comprehensive 5-year Stategic Plan for economic growth in northern Arizona, including a SWOT analysis, comparisons to similar areas, and six overarching goals needed to sustain and increase the economic vitality of the region.

The strategic plan, commissioned by ECoNA, identified the workforce housing gap, slow population growth in the region, and anti-growth sentiment as the biggest challenges facing our area.

“No economy remains static; it either progresses or regresses,” said Ioanna Morfessis, President and Chief Strategist for IO Inc., who added that strategic plans like the one created for ECoNA were not about “growth for growth sake” but preserving the assets of the region while creating opportunities for the next generations to live and work here.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Busy Summer at Northern Arizona’s Regional Airports

by Community Contributor • August 17, 2023 • Comments Off

It’s been a busy summer at northern Arizona’s three local airports, with changes in personnel, new facilities and extensive improvement work to enable these facilities to better serve our region.

At Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Brian Gall became the new Airport Director in late April. He had previously been the airport’s Program Manager and his career has included serving as a Development Engineering Project Manager for the City of Flagstaff and being an engineer for both the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Last Chance to RSVP for Advisory Council Meeting with Mexico & Canada Consuls

by Community Contributor • August 11, 2023 • Comments Off

Time is running out to RSVP for next week’s meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, which will feature conversation with the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Business Community, Please RSVP today for Aug. 16 meeting with Mexico & Canada Consuls

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2023 • Comments Off

You are cordially invited to the next meeting of the ECoNA Advisory Council, where our featured speakers will be the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, former Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona and the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.
We are extending this invitation to the entire business community because of the importance of these two countries to our state and regional economy.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)’s Gail Jackson to be part of the 15th cohort of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship

by Community Contributor • July 27, 2023 • Comments Off

Typically, my e-newsletters to you are reserved to talk about our region and the work that the diverse leadership of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona is doing to maintain and expand economic vitality here.
Today, however, I want to share a little bit of personal news that I think will also benefit our efforts.
I’m honored to announce that starting next month, I will be part of the 15th cohort of the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. This is an extraordinary opportunity to connect with 27 other civic leaders throughout the state and gain a deeper understanding of policies as we work to address Arizona’s long-term issues.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Save the Date: Mexico & Canada Consuls in Flagstaff on Aug. 16

by Community Contributor • July 21, 2023 • Comments Off

The Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona is pleased to announce that the featured speakers for its August 16 Advisory Council meeting will be the Consul General of Mexico, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, and Glenn Williamson, the founder and CEO of the Canada Arizona Business Council.

Both men have decades of diplomatic service between them and are uniquely versed in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which created one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

We are extending this invitation to the entire business community because of the importance of these two countries to our state and regional economy. The meeting will be held from 1-2:30 pm in the City of Flagstaff Council Chambers, 211 W. Aspen Ave.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — July 4th Festivities in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2023 • Comments Off

All across northern Arizona, there will be lots of celebrations this Independence Day. Here is a sampling of what’s happening in the region as you make your holiday plans.

In Flagstaff, July 4th will get off to a patriotic start with the annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade through Historic Downtown. The parade starts at 9 am, but you’ll want to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot; this is one of Flagstaff’s biggest events all year.

Later that day, the festivities take a musical turn with A Flag Fourth at the Pepsi Amphitheater in Fort Tuthill County Park. The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at 3 pm for its annual pops concert. This event is perfect for all ages and free! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and sunscreen. Doors open at 2 pm.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — APS Business Tools to Lower Energy Costs

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2023 • Comments Off

As temperatures heat up, it’s important for businesses to explore ways to save on their energy bills. Fortunately, APS offers a whole suite of services and programs to help businesses manage energy usage.

“Small business owners are still trying to catch up from the pandemic and now they’re dealing with inflation,” said Trevor Swanson, Energy Innovation Advisor for APS. “Whether it’s an energy assessment, rebate or special program, there are countless ways for small businesses to save on their monthly energy bills.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — The Booming BioScience Sector

by Community Contributor • May 11, 2023 • Comments Off

The biosciences continue to be one of the most dynamic sectors in our state’s economy, and northern Arizona had many highlights to share in the latest Arizona Bioscience Roadmap progress report.

The roadmap is a long-term strategic plan originally commissioned by the Flinn Foundation in 2002 and updated in 2014 with the goal of Arizona becoming globally competitive and a national leader in select areas of the biosciences by 2025.

In fields such as precision medicine, neuroscience, bioengineering, agricultural biotechnology and more, Arizona has become globally competitive because of its deep talent base, the ability to turn research and discoveries into commercial products, and the critical mass of entrepreneurship to turn those products into enterprises.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Events & Opportunities for Economic Development Week

by Community Contributor • May 4, 2023 • Comments Off

Next week is the 8th annual Economic Development Week, created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016 to increase awareness of local efforts to promote economic vitality and highlight programs that create jobs and opportunities for individuals and businesses.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Arizona Commerce Authority Tours Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • April 13, 2023 • Comments Off

It is always a joy showing off all that northern Arizona has to offer – and what new things are on the horizon – to visitors who appreciate the power of economic development in keeping a community vibrant.

So it was with great pleasure that ECoNA recently hosted the business development team from the Arizona Commerce Authority on a whirlwind two-day tour of our region.

We packed a lot into those 48 hours, and our guests could not have been more positive and engaged as they learned more about the strides we are making to improve economic vitality in Flagstaff, Winslow, Sedona, and Camp Verde.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Save the Date: BioScience Roadmap Update

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2023 • Comments Off

As the Bioscience Roadmap enters its third decade, we hope you will join us next month for the annual update on the growth and progress of Arizona’s bioscience sector.

The Flinn Foundation, which originally commissioned this long-term strategic plan more than two decades ago, will be hosting the free Zoom session from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. You can register to attend HERE.

The event will feature presentations by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero on the capacity of municipalities to drive growth in this sector.

The Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) Q&A: Coconino County Manager Steve Peru

by Community Contributor • March 10, 2023 • Comments Off

Steve Peru became Coconino County Manager for a second time in 2021. He was originally hired by the County after graduating from Northern Arizona University in 1979 and had a storied 32-year career that culminated in becoming County Manager in 2006. He retired in 2011 and went on to positions at W.L. Gore & Associates, United Way of Northern Arizona and Coconino Community College before returning to County Government in 2021. Below is an excerpt from our recent interview with him. You can see the full conversation here.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Celebrating Education in Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • February 28, 2023 • Comments Off

Workforce development is a topic we often turn to when we talk about the critical needs of northern Arizona businesses, but often that discussion focuses on post-secondary education, internships, and job training.

The fact is that creating tomorrow’s workforce goes back much further, starting in elementary, middle, and high school. Which is why we are so happy that there are several upcoming events that celebrate our local educators.

It starts this Thursday with the annual STEMMY Awards being given out by Flagstaff STEM City to honor students, teachers and organizations who are STEM leaders in the greater Flagstaff community. Last year, Audrey Baird of Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy took top honors for STEM educator.

Thursday’s ceremony will be from 6 to 7 pm at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2023 • Comments Off

While northern Arizona is home to many festivals throughout the year, the month of February tends to be a little slower, with much of the region’s tourism dollars coming from out-of-towners looking to ski and play in the snow.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Small Business Grants & Assistance Opportunities

by Community Contributor • January 19, 2023 • Comments Off

Several local government agencies are offering grants and programs to help small business in 2023, but deadlines to apply for many of these funds are coming up soon.

The City of Flagstaff has allocated $300,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act package to help small businesses offset the fiscal challenges due to the pandemic, including staffing shortages, decreased revenues, and modification that were required due to Covid-19.

The awards, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000, can be used for a wide array of purposes, including marketing to overcome losses in revenue due to the pandemic, attracting and retaining employees, or purchasing business equipment. The business must be locally owned and operated, within the Flagstaff City limits, and have fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees. Deadline to apply is January 31 and details can be found here.

Sept. 19 — Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) to present Targeted Sector Analysis Webinar

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

The last in a series of webinars on “Forging the Future,” the recently released 5-year strategic plan for northern Arizona’s economy, will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 10 am.

Based on an economic roadmap developed for ECoNA by Elliott D. Pollack & Co. and IO, Inc., this webinar will focus on the plan’s targeted sector analysis.

Please join us for this informative session as we work together on pursuing greater economic vitality for northern Arizona. You can attend the webinar using this link.

Dec. 13 — Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Join Us for Our Open House

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

Join us on Wednesday, Dec. 13 for a morning Holiday Mixer at the ECoNA office in downtown Flagstaff.
Enjoy beverages from Noble Ground Coffee and cinnamon rolls from Honey Pie Bakery as we celebrate the successes of 2023 and the joy of this special season.
We look forward to seeing you! Please RSVP by Friday, Dec. 8.
WHAT: ECoNA Holiday Mixer
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 8 – 10 am
WHERE: 201 E. Birch Ave., Suite 12, Flagstaff

Please RSVP via email HERE.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — [Video] Looking Back on 2022

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2022 • Comments Off

The past year had its challenges for businesses locally and nationwide – from inflation to labor shortages to continued supply chain disruptions. Yet we still saw progress in northern Arizona, from the opening of businesses and facilities to plans for future growth in Flagstaff, Camp Verde, Sedona, and Winslow.

Among the highlights this year were:

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — TGen Grows with Diagnostic Lab

by Community Contributor • December 8, 2022 • Comments Off

Among the many changes that came out of the era of Covid-19 was the dramatic growth of one of the pillars of our local biosciences sector, the TGen Pathogen and Microbiome Division, better known as TGen North.

TGen North was on the front lines very early on in the crisis, using genomics to analyze the structure of the coronavirus and develop one of the first tests to detect it. The pandemic also prompted the nonprofit to build its own CLIA-certified diagnostics lab. (CLIA, which stands for Clinical Lab Improvement Amendments, is the federal certification needed before a lab can accept human samples for diagnostic testing.)

“That allowed us to test patient samples and return the results to patients and clinicians, which we hadn’t done before,” said Dave Engelthaler, PhD, the director of TGen North. “It had been a long-term goal for us to develop a diagnostics lab, but there’s nothing like an emergency to put things into place.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)’s open house rescheduled to Dec. 9

by Community Contributor • December 5, 2022 • Comments Off

We are so excited! Our Open House is back on, now for 2-4 pm on Friday, December 9.

We will still be offering lattes and hot cocoa from Honey Pie and we’ll have a photographer on hand (available on a first-come first served basis) so you can update your headshot for 2023.

Don’t worry about sending an RSVP, just mark your calendar and plan to join us on Dec. 9. We look forward to seeing you!

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — omorrow’s Open House POSTPONED

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2022 • Comments Off

Illness has struck at ECoNA and, as a result, we must regretfully postpone our Open House and Holiday Celebration, which had been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at the ECoNA office.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

As soon as these flu-like symptoms pass, our party will be rescheduled so we can celebrate the season and this year’s accomplishments with you.

Stay Tuned

and Thank You for your patience.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Happy Thanksgiving from ECoNA

by Community Contributor • November 22, 2022 • Comments Off

As we prepare to spend time with family and friends, sharing love and thoughts of gratitude, we wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and let you know how grateful we are for all of you.

We also are looking forward to seeing you next week at our Holiday Open House from 3 – 5 pm on Thursday, December 1. If you haven’t had a chance to RSVP yet, click here for more information and to register.

Until then, we wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Gail Jackson

President & CEO

ECoNA

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) announces Open House on Dec. 1

by Community Contributor • November 17, 2022 • Comments Off

Join us for an Open House and Holiday Celebration at the ECoNA office in the Historic Ice House in downtown Flagstaff.

Check out the new conference room, warm up at the hot cocoa bar, and celebrate the accomplishments of 2022!

Plus, update your headshot for the New Year. We’ll have a photographer on site taking photos on a first come, first serve basis, so wear your business best.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — What CHIPS Could Mean for Northern Arizona

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2022 • Comments Off

Earlier this month, ECoNA’s Advisory Council heard a presentation from Joe Russell, Legislative Assistant to Senator Mark Kelly, about the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, which was signed into law this past August.

For more than a year, Sen. Kelly had championed the underlying pieces of legislation that formed the act, and served as the Arizona representative on the conference committee to reconcile the Senate and House versions of the bill.

The Act includes a $52 billion plan to boost domestic microchip manufacturing; a four-year, 25% investment tax credit to provide long-term incentives for semiconductor manufacturers and suppliers to construct or expand facilities in the United States; and $13.2 billion for research and development and workforce development.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Celebrating Small Manufacturers: Chocolita

by Community Contributor • October 13, 2022 • Comments Off

October is National Manufacturing Month, a time when we celebrate a sector that, according to McKinsey & Company, generates $2.3 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product, employs 12 million people, and accounts for 70% of R&D investment.

But those outsized statistics are mostly fueled by small companies; the Small Business Administration estimates that three out of every four manufacturers in the U.S. have 20 employees or less.

Companies like Chocolita, maker of botanical, organic chocolates, which recently moved from a cooperative kitchen in Sedona to open a combined manufacturing/retail outlet in Kachina Square in Flagstaff.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — NAU Holds Master Plan Open House on Oct. 6

by Community Contributor • September 29, 2022 • Comments Off

Northern Arizona University will hold a Community Open House on Thursday, October 6 to discuss the development of its Smart, Sustainable, Comprehensive Campus Master Plan, which will provide a framework for land use, open space and facility development at NAU.

NAU is asking that you register for the session, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the High Country Conference Center.

The master plan will emphasize “smart campus” capabilities to drive new efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions, and effectively manage resources. NAU is working with DLR Group, a nationally recognized design firm, in developing the master plan.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Communities to Provide Analytics for Businesses

by Community Contributor • September 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.

That’s why ECoNA and the municipalities of Flagstaff, Winslow, Sedona and Camp Verde have collaborated to provide Buxton analytics to help local businesses and organizations with information that can guide their decisions.

For almost 30 years, the Fort Worth-based company has offered insights that have helped dozens of businesses and communities understand their customers more precisely. Buxton’s software-as-a-service platform is focused on multiple sectors, including retail, restaurants, automotive, healthcare, hospitality, tourism, and general economic development.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Providing an Alternative Route to Homeownership

by Community Contributor • August 4, 2022 • Comments Off

Becoming a homeowner in Flagstaff has never been easy, but this year the barriers have been particularly high, with the median average price of a single-family home well above $700,000 by this summer.

Combine that with hikes in mortgage rates and overall inflation pressures, and it was a triple whammy that dashed the dream of homeownership for many who live and work in northern Arizona.

Public, nonprofit, and private entities are working together to give some relief by producing starter homes through Habitat for Humanity of Northern Arizona (HFHNA) that are small-scale, affordable, and meant to create equity quickly for homeowners.

The group is currently building the first of these homes in Flagstaff’s South Side, but it is likely the effort will grow exponentially in the next five years under a plan to build at least 40 of the units at the new Timber Sky development on West Route 66.

“The escalation of home prices has closed the window for a huge amount of middle-class people,” said Eric Wolverton, Executive Director of HFHNA. “This isn’t about serving the poorest of the poor. We are looking to create workforce housing.”

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Lean Manufacturing Workshop at NACET July 29

by Community Contributor • July 7, 2022 • Comments Off

The various philosophies behind more efficient manufacturing methods have gone by many names over the years – the Toyota Production System or “The Toyota Way,” just-in-time production, and more recently, lean manufacturing.

All have similar principals – that by applying certain tools, manufacturers can implement a systematic approach to reduce “waste,” which is defined as non-value-added activities.

In fact, lean manufacturing identifies eight potential areas of waste that can be reduced in ways that will not only streamline production, but also improve working conditions.

The ECoNA Q&A: NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2022 • Comments Off

José Luis Cruz Rivera recently completed his first year as the 17th President of Northern Arizona University (NAU). To mark this anniversary, we asked him about key initiatives during his first year, NAU’s niche in the higher ed marketplace, what local restaurants he’s discovered, and his upcoming formal installation in September. You can see the full interview here.

Q: What do you feel your biggest success has been this first year?
A: Well, that’s an easy answer. The fact that I survived the Running of the Freshman at the first home football game!

In all seriousness, while there have been many success stories, I think my biggest success has been learning about and connecting with the people and organizations who live and work at NAU, in Flagstaff and throughout northern Arizona. It has been important to me from day one to understand the values here. Time will be the judge of my success leading and supporting the efforts of our awesome university community, but I have truly enjoyed listening and learning and still feel it is a privilege to serve as the President of NAU and live is this amazing and beautiful community.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Summer of Festivals

by Community Contributor • June 9, 2022 • Comments Off

…Here’s just a small sample of the festivals and events coming up this month that will help bring visitors (and their dollars) to our region.

Flagstaff Blues & Brews (tomorrow and Saturday, June 11). In just a few short years, this event has grown to become the state’s largest blues festival. Two days of terrific music, plus local and regional microbrews, as well as wine and hard cider. Food vendors and arts and craft tents round out the event, returning this year to the grounds of Continental Country Club.
Made in the Shade Festival (Saturday, June 11) – Another popular festival that features music and scores of different brands of beer. Proceeds from this day-long festival at the Pepsi Amphitheater go towards helping Sun Sounds of Arizona provide reading and information access services to those with disabilities.
Pride in the Pines (Saturday, June 18) – For more than 20 years, Pride in the Pines has been a party with a purpose, a celebration of the LGBTQ2S community that promotes cultural diversity and human rights for all by fighting discrimination of any kind. This year’s headliners are Brita Filter from RuPaul’s Drag Race and Grammy-nominated Latin artist Gina Chavez.
Flagstaff Folk Festival (Saturday, June 18 & Sunday, June 19) – The Museum Club will showcase the best in folk and acoustic music with more than 70 acts on two stages.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Remote Workers Meet Today (May 25) at 928NOW

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2022 • Comments Off

Are you a free lancer, contractor, or corporate employee working remotely? You are cordially invited to the first meeting of 928NOW, open to any online worker who lives in Northern Arizona.

This networking event will take place TODAY from 4:30 pm – 6 pm at Mother Road Brewing (7 S. Mikes Pike St., Flagstaff).

This will be an opportunity to get to know other online workers and identify what this segment of our workforce needs to be successful. We look forward to seeing you!

DATE: Today, Wednesday, May 25

TIME: 4:30 to 6 pm

LOCATION: Mother Road Brewery

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Milestones, Workforce Program Focus of Economic Development Week

by Community Contributor • May 12, 2022 • Comments Off

This is Economic Development Week, an annual event created by the International Economic Development Council to increase awareness of local efforts to promote economic vitality, highlight programs that create jobs, and celebrate entities that improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.

Which makes this the perfect week to note some important milestones being reached by northern Arizona businesses and organizations. In Flagstaff, this year is the 10th anniversary of two very popular businesses, Flagstaff Xtreme and Mother Road Brewing Co. It’s also the 20th anniversary of the latest iteration of The Orpheum as a entertainment venue.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Sustainability on the Ground and in the Skies

by Community Contributor • April 28, 2022 • Comments Off

With Earth Day just behind us and Arbor Day tomorrow, it seemed like a good time to discuss the myriad of sustainability initiatives in northern Arizona, which are both on the ground and in the skies.

In Flagstaff, many of these green efforts are centered around Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

Both commercial airlines that operate at the airport – American and United – are working towards reducing their carbon footprint through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which has the potential of providing the power of traditional jet fuel but without being refined from petroleum.

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