SPECIAL SECTION 1
CITY OF FLAGSTAFF
SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 |
PROGRESS REPORT SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 |
azdailysun.com
ECONOMY
Flagstaff continues
moving forward
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CITY OF FLAGSTAFF ECONOMIC VITALITY STAFF
here is not enough sugar on the planet to coat the hard realities of 12 months of closures, shutdowns and fear. Shelter-in-place. Work from home. Parents as teachers. Athletes with dreams of recruitment, scholarships and pro-seasons put on hold indefinitely. The story does not end there, not even remotely. Through these storms there were many stories of those who rose above the distractions of the day(s), to focus on the opportunities that were within their sights and therefore within their grasp. These human beings with spirit elevated, their eyes to possibilities and to a future of not only good, but better, made up the stories that fortify us and our future. Flagstaff is a community anchored in physical beauty and focused on making a quality of life for all. This story shares a number of positive highlights of the local economy that are true stories of Flagstaff weathering the turbulent times in solid Flagstaff fashion. Many businesses decided to ChooseFlagstaff.com for their new home. Money was invested to improve distressed properties. Businesses opened their doors and have grown and expanded in Flagstaff. These are the stories that shape and make Flagstaff what it is—a place to visit, discover and grow.
Recent business attraction
UACJ Automotive Whitehall Industries is a leading supplier of precision extruded aluminum automotive components and assemblies, and Flagstaff has been selected as the new home for its fourth production plant. UACJ Whitehall will take over a portion of the former Walgreens distribution center and will manufacture
parts for electric vehicles and other automotive companies. UACJ Whitehall plans to invest as much as $60 million with this new expansion and is anticipated to bring 120 high-paying jobs to the region over the next year and 350 within five years. The average wage at the company will be 60% higher than Coconino County’s per capita income. Whitehall Indus-
tries began manufacturing precision components for the copying and printing industry in 1974. It began aluminum extrusion operations for the auto industry in 2001. In 2016, it was acquired by UACJ Corporation, a Japanese-based aluminum manufacturer. The company currently has plants in Ludington, Michigan, Paducah, Kentucky, and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Whitehall hopes to begin operations in Flagstaff in the next month. Katalyst Space Technologies is a fledgling airspace company that is currently in contract discussions with NASA and the U.S. military to provide the organizations with their groundbreaking technology. Katalyst will be moving into its new home on Innovation Mesa at the Business Accelerator (NACET) at the beginning of May. Katalyst was the first business awarded the City’s Job Creation Incentive and is currently working on getting its team to Flagstaff. Katalyst plans to create 30+ jobs for Flagstaff over the next three years as it continues to grow its business.
Brownfields – from the Route 66 Coalition A brownfield is defined as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” These properties are often, though
not always, underutilized, vacant or abandoned and in need of renovation or some tender loving care to facilitate their reuse. Sometimes there may be a question about their history or previous use. The free environmental assessments help provide answers so owners can proceed with plans to revitalize properties, start new or expand existing businesses, create jobs, sell or lease property and provide benefits to the community. Since July 2020, nine northern Arizona properties have been nominated by owners to receive a free environmental assessment using a $600,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant awarded to the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The grant is being used to help owners reuse and redevelop properties and buildings, secure funding for new businesses, and sometimes sell properties that would otherwise sit idle or be underutilized. These include three properties in downtown Flagstaff near the Rio de Flag and the downtown connection center run by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA). Although this program is available for a limited time and on a first come, first served basis, the good news is there is still significant funding available for other properties. Please see FORWARD, Page 7
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