SPECIAL EDITION OF THE ARIZONA DAILY SUN
2019 PROGRESS FLAGSTAFF
Arizona Snowbowl measured 27 feet of snow this season, bringing visitors to the mountain well into April.
ECONOMY
COURTESY OF ARIZONA SNOWBOWL
FLAGSTAFF CITY OF INNOVATION
On top in JOHN SALTONSTALL AND GAIL JACKSON
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City of Flagstaff
lagstaff has a robust economy. Properties hold value and increase in value, and amenities here are world-class and growing in number. Arizona Snowbowl measured 27 feet of snow by the end of March and announced it would be open into May. For Flagstaff and the region, this meant a steady stream of visitors. For the community at large, it also meant roads full of people, not only going to the mountain but also to shops, restaurants, hospitals and everywhere else that we residents call our own. Northern Arizona University is an academic powerhouse. It’s growing in the number of students, faculty and staff, and new programs and research. It’s becoming more and more attractive as a place to learn and call home. The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport now has two airlines – American Airlines and United Airlines – operating in the facility, including daily flights to and from Denver, Dallas and Phoenix. This is a game changer for our community. It helps business travelers do more business by getting where they need to faster. It also opens opportunities to attract new visitors. Taking a moment to reflect upon the statements above, one can begin to understand that our community continues to grow and change. The only constant in life is change. Yet, as with storms and unsettled conditions, there are bursts of sunshine and rainbows, which can serve as guideposts of direction and hope in our mountain town. While many people understand the idea of change, the real experience can be scary and often communicated negatively. We often hear statements like, “There are too many construction projects, too many visitors, and too many other people.” We have all heard the complaints, and yet we also know that if Flagstaff were not a nice place to live, we would be begging for industry, visitors and amenities. Our frustrations are a reliable indicator of a vibrant and robust economy. As an economic overview of Flagstaff, this article will show where we are and where we are going. This overview will present and interpret traditional numbers that help us understand our economy. First, the city’s bed, board, and beverage revenues provide an indicator of how visitors and residents spend money on hotels, restaurants, bars and campgrounds. Second, the valuation of building permits provides direct information on the value of investments in the environment. Third, annual unemployment rates over time provide insight into the job market. Fourth, Gail Jackson, business attraction manager for the City of Flagstaff, will conclude with where we are going. Our bed, board, and beverage tax imPlease see ECONOMY, Page S2
JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Students from Northern Arizona University take a group photo in the snow at Buffalo Park this winter. A record-breaking 40.8 inches of snow fell in three days in February.
NANCY WIECHEC
Lisa Muscarella opened Your Pie in west Flagstaff last year. She is pictured with her son, Daniel, and some custom made-to-order pizzas.
To learn more about the good things happening at North Country HealthCare, see inside M 1
CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
Or visit northcountryhealthcare.org
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2019 | SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
PROGRESS 2019
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PROGRESS
NANCY WIECHEC
Whisk and Whisky in Aspen Place is among several new eateries and bars to open in Flagstaff since early 2018.
Economy From S1
poses a levy on such items as lodging, restaurant and bar sales, and it is an excellent indicator of spending on accommodations and dining. Bed, board and beverage revenues have been steadily increasing since hitting bottom in 2009. Despite a slight dip, 2018 was statistically flat. Numbers are still coming in for the beginning of 2019. We anticipate that those numbers will be strong as snow carries the winter season in Flagstaff, and this season the snow kept people coming to Flagstaff, Arizona’s Winter Wonderland. The Flagstaff Convention and Visitor Bureau continues to invite people to visit Flagstaff and to stay longer. In 2018, the average length of stay at a hotel in Flagstaff was three nights. We are known as the destination for all seasons because we have things to do year round and pleasant weather to back it up.
The numbers speak to Flagstaff being a place worthy of investments, love and time. Many have made the decision to make Flagstaff home for themselves, their families and their businesses. Building permits over time also provide a sense of how the economy is performing from the perspective of construction – physical investments in our community. Following the Great Recession, building permit valuations took a little more time to hit bottom, which occurred in 2013 with annual non-residential building permit valuations at $6.8 million. In 2018, that same non-residential building permit valuation was $27.8 million. If we pull back slightly to view the valuation of all building permits for 2018, the total valuation is $149.7 million. People are investing in creating and maintaining a functional, attractive built environment that supports jobs and contributes to the housing supply Unemployment rates are a challenge to report as numbers are typically provided for the Flagstaff metropolitan statistical area, which is roughly all of Coconino County. In terms of an economic overview, such regional numbers show a broader perspective that certainly contributes to the job market on the whole. The Federal Reserve Economic Data branch in St. Louis provides the unemployment rates (above), which are not seasonally adjusted. Unemployment rates typically lag behind the market somewhat as indicators go, yet they show a steady decline. Watching the unemployment rate decrease is good. It means more people who can work are indeed working. So, the numbers show that bed, board and beverage revenues are strong, that there is great investment in our community, and that unemployment is decreasing. Is it all sunshine and rainbows? Again, those things need rain and change. Some of the factors that contribute to change include a higher and increasing minimum wage. This will continue to be a factor in the community regardless of individual perspectives on the matter. The cost of housing is another factor. It is a multi-edged sword, so to speak. Most people seek markets in which their housing investment holds and hopefully increases in value. Flagstaff is one such market. However, maintaining property values can also mean a distinct lack of affordability for many in the community.
What are the rumblings in the distance? Elevated costs for housing? High costs for and a limited supply of land? An increasing cost of doing business? What do the tensions between those variables create for a community? If Flagstaff were less stable, less robust, less vibrant, would people still want to be here? Would you? The numbers speak to Flagstaff being a place worthy of investments, love and time. Many have made the decision to make Flagstaff home for themselves, their families and their businesses. It still seems worth it even while we weather storms that are unique to our economic climate. There you have it. Change is the only constant, which can cause many people heartburn as there are positives and negatives associated with change. Sunshine and rainbows exist amidst rain and change providing direction and hope. Flagstaff is a beautiful place to visit, discover and grow, and that can lead to challenges for some in the economic spectrum, but there’s always a ray of sunshine at the end. This is where we are. Gail Jackson provides additional insight into where economic efforts are going. She starts here with a discussion of retail, bioscience and then health care. Retail options will always be important to our mountain city. They are a great source of tax revenue, provide jobs for our residents, and shopping and dining options for Flagstaff citizens and visitors. Many new and expanded restaurants opened last year. Here are just a sample: Culver’s, Whisk & Whisky, Over Easy, Lone Spur Café, Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, Your Pie, Ahipoki Bowl, HuHot Mongolian Grill and Lotus Lounge. In downtown, two new boutiques opened their doors. Urban Homestead offers home décor options while Bow Wow provides a variety of pet products. The biotech industry is a rapidly changing and targeted industry that we continue to pursue. The industry’s high-wage, low-impact jobs are the perfect fit for Flagstaff. The Moonshot program at the Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology welcomed ProGrowTech and Axolotol Biologix. ProGrowTech is helping commercial horticulture and food production operations increase profitability with state-ofthe-art lighting solutions. Axolotol Biologix researches and develops biological products to foster regeneration and healing of conditions such as orthopedic, pain management wound care, cardiovascular and more. Poba Medical is a device company run by serial entrepreneur Dan Kasprzyk. This biotech company specializes in angioplasty balloon development and just graduated from Moonshot. We are so excited to see this growing company expand into commercial space in Flagstaff. Health care services exploded last year in Flagstaff. Some examples include: Rehabilitation Hospital of Northern Arizona held its grand opening in 2018. The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative services including occupational, physical and speech therapy to patients who are recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses and chronic medical conditions. The hospital provided 150 new high-wage jobs in our community. Welbrook Senior Living, which offers assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, held a soft opening of its transitional rehabilitation center in Flagstaff at the end of last year. Welbrook brought over 125 new jobs to the area and is elevating health care through hospitality, compassionate care and exceptional service. Flagstaff Urgent Care opened another location in town. Also, Flagstaff ’s future is being shown
Bed Board and Beverage Revenue
Local Unemployment Rate
Fiscal Year Revenue (in thousands) 2008 $5,187 2009 $5,052 2010 $5,074 2011 $5,259 2012 $5,626 2013 $5,911 2014 $6,310 2015 $7,022 2016 $7,539 2017 $8,642 2018 $8,602 2008 to 2018 — 65.83% increase
YEAR 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
to the world. Flagstaff businesses have been featured on Channel 3TV three separate times in March alone. One episode interviewed Jim Corning who presented Fan Flyer, a new way for individuals to fly in the manner closest to the Jetsons. This new way to fly may revolutionize travel. Sunshine and rainbows, hope and direction in the storm. This is Flagstaff. This is now. This is the future. The economy is strong. If one can weather the storms, one
% UNEMPLOYED 3.73 5.58 8.52 9.88 9.53 8.61 8.14 7.08 6.49 6.02 5.56 5.39
will enjoy the sunshine and the rainbows in the most magnificent mountain community in Arizona. The City of Flagstaff Economic Vitality Team works every day to assist all businesses to thrive. Choose Flagstaff: The City of Innovation. John Saltonstall is the business retention and expansion manager and Gail Jackson is business attraction manager for the City of Flagstaff.
JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Dancers rehearse for a performance of Tilt by Flagstaff-based Dark Sky Aerial.
M 1
o Ec
National Tourism Week ^ May 5-11, 2019
Eco-Friendly Restaurants in Flagstaff Flagstaff restaurants continue to adopt sustainable practices.
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Tourism generates: Annual tax savings of $1,200 for every Arizona household. — Arizona Office of Tourism
TOURISM Service Day Please join us ...
Nearly 8,000 jobs in Flagstaff. — Northern Arizona University
Please join us for litter removal followed with a hosted lunch. Wednesday, May 8 | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm RSVP by May 5 and for more information – cnelson@flagstaffaz.gov
Learn more about what tourism does for you: discoverflagstaff.com/tourism-matters M 1
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2019
PROGRESS 2019
| SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
SCIENCE & TECH
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PROGRESS
JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
BEN SHANAHAN, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Chad Trujillo stands in front of a computer monitor showing an image of space with a red circle around One of Starship Technologies’ 30 food delivery robots at Northern Arizona a new object that he has discovered with fellow astronomer Scott Sheppard named FarFarOut. University makes its way across north campus.
Flagstaff PUSHES FOR THE STARS
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DAILY SUN STAFF
lagstaff has always been a community that pushes for the stars, and the past year was no different. Researchers helped put human technology in the farthest reaches of space and robots were sent to deliver food to students at Northern Arizona University. Other parts of the science and technology community have also continued pursuits to ensure a better and more informed life for all people. Starship Technologies and Sodexo put 30 delivery robots to work in March to bring food to NAU students. The robots weigh in at 50 pounds, before loading up with food, and will politely ask you to move if you block them on the roadway. The robots can complete deliveries from on-campus dining options that include Mexican food, Thai food, bagels, salads, sandwiches, pizza and more. The little robots are the talk of campus. Crawling at a top speed of 4 mph, they delivered more than 300 transactions in their first
two days of business. Diners looking for deliveries need only open up their smartphone and notify the robots’ app of their location. Lowell Observatory’s Will Grundy led the New Horizons surface composition team to inspect the icy bodies of the Kuiper belt on the far outer reaches of space. The New Horizons spacecraft made the most distant exploration in human history passing Ultima Thule in the Kuiper belt Jan. 1. More information from the flyby will be transmitted to back to Earth over the next 20 months, and researchers hope New Horizons will visit another Kuiper belt object in the future. In Bellemont, the National Weather Service station has integrated a tool to assist forecasters with smoke predictions during fire seasons. The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration helps the station better chart where smoke burning from wildfires will travel, assisting people in avoiding smoke inhalation. The data is
processed out of Boulder, Colorado, using two orbiting satellites that read how hot a fire is burning based off infrared light fire emits from the ground. Data is sent directly to the station to use to forecast smoke and weather patterns on an hourly basis. The forecasting models can combine factors like wind, burn size, temperature and terrain to create predictions. Coconino Community College students are studying the effects of 5G, the latest wireless data service, on human health by using plants. Professor Andrew Allen and his students are a part of the Bridges to Baccalaureate program that introduces local Native American students to research in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. The students are projecting mustard seeds with purple, ultraviolet light and the 5G electromagnetic radiation to represent their test subjects. The students will note things like seedling size in comparison to the 5G frequency. In February, a team of researchers dis-
covered an object in the solar system that is farther away than any previously identified. Chad Trujillo of NAU, in addition to researchers at other universities, found and dubbed the new object “FarFarOut.” The name references a previous object believed to be the furthest object from the sun, “FarOut.” FarFarOut is located approximately 140 astronomical units away, or 140 times the distance between the Earth and sun. FarFarOut beats its namesake by 20 astronomical units. Pluto averages 40 astronomical units in distance as it revolves around the sun. Trujillo and the other researchers are searching for an entirely theoretical planet, Planet X, which is believed to be larger than Earth. The team of researchers has discovered over 62 objects in their search for the planet. FarFarOut’s brightness and distance can be deduced almost immediately, however, details about its surface and orbit could take years to understand. Trujillo said the orbit for objects at that distance can take up to 10,000 years to complete.
EDUCATION
COURTESY, DIANE STEARNS JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Students at Kinsey Elementary School have a number of salad and fruit options to choose from each day.
Diane Stearns was selected to fill the provost position at NAU starting July 1.
New spaces, leadership shape campuses
F
rom new spaces to new faces, there has been no shortage of recent features designed to upgrade Flagstaff education. Northern Arizona University has been working to expand the athletics logo – featuring “NAU” within a golden ax – to all academic units and other departments to create a more unified university look. The athletics design was selected because of its popularity among logo-sporting students and alumni. A new Honors Residential College on the corner of University Drive and Knoles Drive opened in the fall featuring dorms for more than 600 students as well as eight classrooms, an honors writing center, an honors student support center and a gym. Existing campus buildings will soon be joined by a $139 million multi-discipline STEM academic and research building, which has been approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. Construction is scheduled to begin next year. With such additional expansion in mind, the university spent nearly $5 million on three separate Flagstaff properties, including the locations of several defunct businesses. NAU purchased the Granny’s Closet property (across West
Butler Avenue from campus) in August, followed quickly by that of the Super Pawn and Mandarin Buffet (off Milton Road). Months later, it made its largest purchase: a 120-acre parcel at 1301 South Fourth Street. Specific development plans for the parcels are still undecided. After years without a permanent replacement, NAU has named its next official provost, a position that earns $260,000 annually. Diane Stearns, the only internal applicant among more than 100, was selected to fill the position starting July 1. Stearns is the current interim dean of the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences. She has been an NAU faculty member since 1993. The Flagstaff Unified School District community celebrated in November as voters approved Propositions 423 and 424 to provide funding to renovate dated school buildings and to eventually provide each student with a tablet for in-class activities and completing homework. The district also celebrated as five schools improved by at least one letter grade, based on last year’s standardized test results. Using data from the statewide AzMERIT test issued at the end of each school year, Leupp Public School moved up from a D to a C, Cromer Elementary
School and Knoles Elementary School both improved from a C to a B, Sechrist Elementary from a B to an A and Kinsey Elementary from a D to a B. Focusing on the health of its students, Flagstaff Unified School District offered free breakfasts and lunches to all students in five schools: Killip Elementary, Kinsey Elementary, Leupp Elementary, Thomas Elementary and Summit High School. This offering, a combination of the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, eliminates the need for a lengthy application process and ensures that every student is fed nutritious meals, especially if their parents do not have the time or money to pack them a lunch. The Coconino Community College Foundation awarded record-breaking scholarship funds for the 2018-19 school year, providing $200,000 to more than 100 students. The college also received new grants, including nearly $1 million from the Del E. Webb Foundation, for student learning opportunities. Coconino Community College expanded its online course offerings, allowing students to obtain the liberal arts section of the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) certificate entirely
online. This 35-credit curriculum block fulfills general education requirements at all three state universities for liberal arts majors. Administrators hope the online option will appeal to students in rural areas of the county. While on campus, many students are using new workspaces, including a renovated Construction Technology Management facility and new SimLab, both of which were designed and built by students for students using funding from donors. The SimLab houses CCC’s smart mannequins — medical dummies can communicate their ailments (using the course instructor’s voice) and have measurable vital signs, allowing students in the Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedicine and Allied Health (Nursing and Medical Assistant) programs to practice their skills without endangering anyone. In March, CCC welcomed Steve Peru, CEO of United Way of Northern Arizona, as its newest staff member. Peru has lived in Flagstaff for more than 40 years and has held various leadership positions across Coconino County, including county manager and a W. L. Gore & Associates executive. He is now the Chief Development and Government Relations Officer for the college.
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PROGRESS 2019
S5
PROGRESS 2019 City looks at SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 |
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
downtown
as growth continues
Rendering of the new municipal court house that will be built at the intersection of Beaver Street and Cherry Avenue.
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF FLAGSTAFF, COURTESY
ADRIAN SKABELUND
O
Daily Sun Reporter
ver the past year, Flagstaff saw developments that may shape the city for years to come. Perhaps highest profile of these projects is the new city court house, which is to be built at 101 W. Cherry Ave. The construction of a court facility in that location means the current municipal court house will no longer be needed, and that could result in redevelopment of the block on which it resides. As such, the city and other stakeholders, like the Downtown Business Alliance, have begun work on a new downtown master plan that could lead to a restructured city center, according to city staff. Coconino County is also considering a master plan of its own on how to best utilize land the county owns and leases in downtown Flagstaff, said Sue Brown, director of facilities management for the county. That master plan could encompass land on which the Superior Court House, county administration building, the Chase Bank parking lot and the County Recorder’s office sit. “Our big goal there is to reduce existing leases that we have in the downtown area,” Brown told a joint meeting of city council members and county supervisors April 1. After so much controversy around large student- focused development such as the Hub and the Standard, the city council shot down a similar proposed development on East Butler Avenue. Texas-based developer McGrath Real Estate Partners had proposed an 800-bed development and asked the council for a rezoning. Unlike other unpopular student housing developments, the request for rezoning gave the council far more power in negotiating with the developer, who offered, among other things, to designate 10 percent of the units as affordable. This council, however, voted 5-2 to deny the rezoning, essentially scuttling the project. All the while, work on other large-scale projects continues.
NANCY WIECHEC
Nearing completion, the Standard student apartments on West Route 66 is now leasing for the fall semester. Phoenix-based developer Vintage Partners is retrofitting the former Harkins theater building on the west side of town to house the Flagstaff offices of the Arizona Department of Transportation and Motor Vehicle Services. After the project is complete and ADOT moves to the new location, Vintage Partners intends to purchase the current ADOT site on Milton Road and start construction of Mill Town, another student-focused development. When it comes to single family homes, while the number homes sold dropped somewhat in the last quarter of 2018 and into 2019, the median price of homes went up. According to Re/Max Peak Properties, the median price for a house in Flagstaff in 2018 was $404,000. There were also 43 houses that sold for a million dollars or more in 2018, Stephen Brighton with Century 21 Realty said. For context, in 2017, there were only 19 houses sold at that level. And, according to Brighton, the prices of the houses sold have continued to remain high in the first few months of the 2019. The median cost of the houses sold in February 2019, the most recent month
for which numbers are available, was $430,000. That is 18 percent higher than the median sale price during the same month last year. Brighton said however that the median prices are likely to fall as more single fam-
ily homes come onto the market over the spring and summer months. And some of the homes going onto the market may be in new single-family home developments. Phoenix-based developer Brookfield Communities Inc. is building 80 units in two developments in Flagstaff. The first, Trails End on the northeast side of Flagstaff is already under construction as roads and utility lines are built in preparation for houses to go up. All the while, the development Woodshire on Butler Avenue, which will have 50 units, was expanded somewhat with the sale of city land last month. To the east of the Woodshire development, work on the Canyon Del Rio residential project also restarted last year. That development will be built in sections over the course of the next decade and is projected to provide around 1,100 units — 500 single-family homes and 600 apartment units. Adrian Skabelund can be reached at the office at askabelund@azdailysun.com, by phone at (928) 556-2261 or on Twitter @ AdrianSkabelund.
COURTESY
A depiction of one of four styles of homes to be offered in the new Woodshire development on Butler Avenue.
Your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
M 1
LIVE FLAGSTAFF
1750 S. Woodlands Village Boulevard Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 928.779.5966 russlyon.com/flagstaff
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2019
PROGRESS 2019
| SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
ARTS & CULTURE
Enriching
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PROGRESS
NANCY WIECHEC
The new 250-seat Kitt Recital Hall at NAU has state-of-the-art acoustics.
lives,community
GABRIEL GRANILLO
T
Flagstaff Live!
he value of arts and culture cannot be understated. Not only do they entertain and educate, but they also enrich our lives as well as the community when we support local artists, musicians and writers. Also, the arts provide a significant economic boost to many cities across the nation. Here in Flagstaff, the economic value of art reveals itself tenfold. According to a report by Americans for the Arts, which studies the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in communities across the U.S., Flagstaff generates nearly $90 million in annual economic activity from art events and art patrons. Communities that support the continuation of arts and culture, such as Flagstaff, according to the report, “are investing in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism.” Here are some highlights in arts and culture from this past year: It’s been a year of new executive leadership for Flagstaff arts organizations. In January, the Flagstaff Arts Council welcomed a new executive director, Jonathan Stone, who previously oversaw a downtown association in Oregon City, Oregon. He came to the arts council as it was considering a new center to present its exhibits and programs. “Challenges are only opportunities,” Stone told the Arizona Daily Sun in January. “I have a lot to learn about the many different organizations and people that make up Flagstaff ’s arts, culture and science community.” Theatrikos Theatre Company also welcomed a new executive director, Chris Verrill. Verrill came from Beijing, where he founded and was operations director of the Beijing Playhouse, an English language community theater. He also has experience in public television broadcasting in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I think the potential of this theater is wonderful. There’s an almost 50-year track record of success and wonderful shows and community support. I want to take it up a notch or two or three and improve on what’s already happened,” he told the Sun in January. The Museum of Northern Arizona marked its 90th anniversary in 2018, and at the very end of the year saw the departure of Carrie Heinonen as CEO and director. Heinonen said she was resigning to pursue other career opportunities. Museum highlights over the last year include the opening of its new permanent exhibit, Native People of the Colorado Plateau. It tells the stories of 10 regional tribes and was curated with members of those communities. Also, the five-month-long showing of “Pivot: Skateboard Deck Art” brought the contemporary art of Native youths to the forefront. Flagstaff has been celebrating its role in the Apollo 11 lunar landing, the first time humans stepped on the moon, with Lunar Legacy. The year-long celebration coincides with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and has already seen numerous concerts, lectures, film screenings, workshops, stargazing events, exhibits and hikes, including to the Cinder Lake crater fields in Flagstaff where USGS and NASA blasted hundreds of craters in 1967 and 1968 to simulate sections of the moon. The sites were used to train astronauts in navigation, exploration
COURTESY PHOTO
“Loafers,” a watercolor by Kathi Baron, was part of the Art in Action exhibit “Honoring Our Elders.” and geological study. Lunar Legacy events are planned through July 20. Last year, the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff used its exhibition series, Open Doors: Art in Action, to shed light on various social issues including women’s rights, the dangers of uranium mining, and indigenous land rights. Continuing as a vessel for art that amplifies important cultural, social and political issues, Art in Action has hosted “Honoring Elders,” an exhibit by Kathi Baron that examines aging in our families and communities. Open Doors is currently presenting “Border+Crossroads,” an exhibit featuring art and photography looking at the human and environmental crisis at the southern border. In mid-January, Northern Arizona University debuted its new $15-million, 26,863-square-foot recital hall adjacent to Ardrey Memorial Auditorium. Praised for its acoustic qualities, the 250-seat Kitt Recital Hall has since hosted several student and community performances. Illustrating the message that art and culture hold significance in our lives, local artist Julie Comnick created “Arrangement for a Silent Orchestra.” The exhibit used burning violins as a metaphor for a
diminishing culture in contemporary society and what impact the loss might have. The show premiered in January 2018 at the Coconino Center for the Arts and went on to win the 2019 Viola Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts. Over Labor Day weekend, Flagstaff-founded Dark Sky Aerial presented its second original rendition of Tilt, a site-specific performance piece that blends theatrics with aerial arts, dance and lighting. Tilt, which literally bounced off the walls of historic downtown, wowed viewers once again with its bold, non-traditional performance art. On the music front, Flagstaff and northern Arizona have seen some big acts. Portugal. The Man, Modest Mouse, Atmosphere, Chastity Brown, Reverend Horton Heat, The Black Dahlia Murder, Stephen Marley, The Devil Makes Three, Against Me!, 10,000 Maniacs and Japanese Breakfast, came through town, just to name a few. Aside from big-name acts, Flagstaff has its own burgeoning local scene with bands like The Canaries, Viola & the Brakemen, Tiny Bird, Four Cornered Room, CoCec, Tha ‘Yoties, VeloValo, David Strackany, Donivan Berube and Ice Sword, all of which bring a broad range
of musical style, genres and influences. The Museum of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library introduced writer residencies. Colorado poet Jodie Hollander became the museum’s poet-in-residence, hosting numerous workshops, lectures and presentations during her tenure, and local author Stacy Murison became the library’s first-ever writer-in-residence. Soon, Murison will pass the writer-in-residence title to author Karen Renner. Grand Canyon National Park celebrated its centennial earlier this year. The park and communities around it continue the celebration with special events into the latter part of this year. Keep an eye out for continuing discussions about the past, present and future of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Later this year and into 2020, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 70th season, its second season under the direction of conductor Charles Latshaw. All around Flagstaff and northern Arizona, the arts continue to thrive, bringing prosperity and entertainment to our community.
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PROGRESS 2019
2019 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
TOURISM
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 |
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PROGRESS
Visitors generate
local jobs, revenue Girls visiting from Phoenix tube down a hill at Arizona Snowbowl last summer. NANCY WIECHEC
MEG ROEDERER
T
Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau
he mission to increase the quality of life for every household in Flagstaff continues for the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visitor spending supports an estimated 8,000 jobs and delivers $500 million to the local economy. The bureau, along with Flagstaff businesses, is committed to providing exceptional visitor experiences. We work hard to educate, inspire and motivate travel to our beautiful city. Tourism revenue collected, specifically the tax on bed, board and beverages directly and positively impacts the quality of your life by affording you and your family beautiful parks, public art, open space as well as arts and sciences education programming for students. In fiscal year 2018, bed, board and beverage tax collection increased by nearly 8.5%. The CVB receives 30% of the revenue allocation to promote Flagstaff as a premier travel destination through marketing, direct sales efforts, media rela-
tions and service at our Visitor Center. Tourism provides economic stability to the community, annual real tax savings of approximately $1,200 per household, and generates $2.8 million to keep our parks beautiful. Contracted by the CVB, the Arizona Hospitality Research and Resource Center at Northern Arizona University last year completed a visitor intercept study to capture key tourism data. The previous study was in 2014. The results indicate substantial gains in tourism and a bigger boost to our economy.
COURTESY OF FLAGSTAFF CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
The Flagstaff Visitor Center is located in the historic train depot in the heart of downtown.
Percent of BBB Tax Revenues Supporting
Tourism economic impact & visitor profile 2018
Arts and Science Beautification Economic Development Parks and Recreation Tourism
Increase compared to 2014 study
7.5% 20% 9.5% 33% 30%
5.5 Million Annual Visitation
19.6%
$749,168,000 Greater Economic Impact
$502,758,000 Direct Effect
9.6%
Average Party Spends $589 Per Day
6.5%
Lodging
12%
Restaurant or Grocery
11%
$100,543 Average Annual Income
15%
Three-night Average Stay
20%
30% Purpose of Visit: Vacation or Leisure
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK
MAY 6–11, 2019
Celebrate Economic Development Week with these activities to celebrate Flagstaff businesses: MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Tune into 92.9 KAFF
Economic
4p – 6p.
10a – 12p.
Thank a college or
Country Radio in
Development Week
Come to Mother
Stop by the
university graduate
the morning to hear
2019 Proclamation
Road Brewery on
Economic
as they join us in
about the latest
may be seen at
7 South Mikes Pike St.
Development offices
the workforce.
local success stories.
ChooseFlagstaff.com
for appetizers as the
new location on the
community says
second floor of City
thank you to all
Hall on 211 W. Aspen
local businesses.
Ave. and learn more about the resources available.
Thank you to all of the businesses that Choose Flagstaff every day as their home! The work you do, the services you provide, the things you produce keep Flagstaff a great place to visit, discover and grow! For questions regarding activities, contact: Creag Znetko 928.213.2906
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Gail Jackson
BUSINESS ATTRACTION MANAGER
John Saltonstall
BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION MANAGER
15%
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2019
PROGRESS 2019
| SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
OUTDOORS
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PROGRESS
The scenic chairlift at Snowbowl takes visitors to the top of Agassiz Peak and offers spectacular views of the forests and mountains. COURTESY OF ARIZONA SNOWBOWL
Flagstaff’s big draw is
ENVIRONMENT, SEASONS MACKENZIE CHASE
F
Daily Sun Writer
lagstaff progress can be measured by a variety of factors, but no report on its prosperity would be complete without considering a significant element that draws people to the area — the beautiful outdoors. Sitting amid a giant ponderosa forest and at the foot of Arizona’s tallest peaks, Flagstaff offers outdoor recreation options for all. With four distinct seasons and numerous trails leading to some of the most gorgeous views in the state, northern Arizona is understandably a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. While snowy winters draw in plenty of visitors, even more take advantage of opportunities in summer when temperatures rarely rise above 89 degrees and adventure is right out the front door. Flagstaff residents have easy access to hiking and biking trails, camping, rock climbing, fishing and boating, and the city is host to several quality urban parks. It can be difficult to choose your next adventure when there are so many good options, but here are a few of our favorites:
ter and Wupatki. Learn more at www.nps. gov/waca.
Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve
Sunset Crater National Monument
Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve is proof explorers of all ages need not venture very far to find a piece of Flagstaff’s history. Visitors can learn about the area’s ecology, geology and archaeology as they walk along an easy trail and cross the Rio de Flag bridge to view northern Sinagua petroglyphs on the canyon walls. The preserve is also a designated Arizona Watchable Wildlife Experience site due to the number of birds and mammals that have made it their home. Visit www.flagstaff.az.gov/2881/ D. SCOTT CLARK Picture-Canyon for directions and more Mountain bikers favor trails on Mount Elden. information.
One of the most recent volcano eruptions in Flagstaff was that of Sunset Crater less than 1,000 years ago. Visitors can explore the monument with several trails of varying difficulty across fields of cinders and jagged blocks of lava. Rangers and volunteers also host interpretative programs seasonally along with monthly star parties held throughout the summer in alignment with Sunset Crater’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park. Visit www.nps. gov/sucr for more information.
Wupatki National Monument
Wupatki is the place to visit for those in search of some of the world’s most intact and culturally revealing archaeological sites. Ancient pueblos dot the dry landscape, raising the question of why humans decided to settle here. The site also features an ancient ball court and blowhole, an opening in rock that blasts cool air during certain atmospheric conditions. The WuHumphreys Peak patki scenic drive is open day and night. At 12,633 feet, Humphreys is the highest Visit www.nps.gov/wupa for location and point in Arizona. Seasoned hikers can en- visitor center hours. joy a 9.2-mile loop to the top, but keep in mind the 3,343-foot elevation gain brings The Arboretum at Flagstaff obstacles for hikers of all skill levels and ice A research and environmental educamay still be present on the trail in the sum- tion center, the Arboretum at Flagstaff mer. During the winter, Arizona Snowbowl is home to 16 species of butterflies in the provides runs for skiers and snowboarders Butterfly House along with 2,500 species from beginners to experts. Snowbowl has of plants in greenhouses, gardens and natadded three new lifts in as many years and ural habitats located on 200 acres within experienced record amounts of snow this the national forest. The arboretum offers past season. The ski resort also hosts fam- guided tours, school programs, plays host ily-friendly fun during summer months to live music, festivals and other events. with scenic lift rides, a bungee trampoline, The arboretum is closed winter months mini ropes course, tubing, barrel rolling and opens in mid-April. Visit www. and more. Visit www.snowbowl.ski for thearb.org for more information. more information.
Buffalo Park
Flagstaff loves its open spaces, and Buffalo Park is perhaps the favorite of many locals and visitors alike. The open meadow on the top of McMillan Mesa features a 2-mile loop trail with workout stations every few feet, the bisecting Arizona Trail and up-close views of Mount Elden and the nearby Dry Lake Hills. Take San Francisco Street north and make a right on Forest Avenue. Head up the hill and make a left on Gemini Road.
The Arizona Trail
Mount Elden and Dry Lake Hills
Mount Elden features the Elden Lookout Trail, a heavily trafficked loop that rewards hikers with sweeping views of the city at the top. There’s also Fatman’s Loop, a shorter trail which heads back down the mountain before the steeper sections begin. For those adventuring on two wheels, many mountain biking masters test their skills in the Elden and Dry Lake Hills area on such trails as the Rocky Ridge, Sunset, Schultz Creek and Oldham. Learn more at www.fs.usda.gov/ coconino
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act last year, participants across the state traversed sections of the Arizona Trail to collectively complete it in a day. You don’t have to go very far down it to appreciate the work put into its creation, though. The trail stretches 800 miles from Utah to Mexico and offers visitors varying challenges depending on where they start and end. A beautiful section lies just to the east of Flagstaff and drops into a side drainage of Walnut Canyon. Another great place to pick it up is just north of the San Francisco Peaks near Bismarck Lake. Visit www.aztrail.org.
Lava River Cave
Walnut Canyon
Consider Fort Tuthill your one-stop shop for all outdoor activities in the summer. With camping opportunities, mountain biking courses, live music at Pepsi Amphitheater, obstacle courses at Flagstaff Extreme, disc golf and numerous festivals hosted at the fairgrounds, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. The park is about five miles south of Flagstaff and encompasses 633 acres of ponderosa pine forest. For more information, visit www.coconino.az.gov/279/ Fort-Tuthill-County-Park.
Northern Arizona offers more lows than the 4,000-foot average depth of the Grand Canyon. Just east of Flagstaff, Walnut Canyon National Monument gives a history lesson on the ancient Sinagua people who constructed cliff dwellings in the stone alcoves and ledges of the steep canyon thousands of years ago. Hundreds of ruins remain, allowing us to learn about the area’s past. The canyon is part of the triumvirate of national monuments surrounding Flagstaff along with Sunset Cra-
The Lava River Cave offers a unique underground hike that can be done year round, although skiing may be necessary to reach the entrance if forest roads are closed due to snow. The mile-long cave was formed by lava flowing from one of the nearby volcanoes around 700,000 years ago. The temperature remains a steady 42 degrees, so jackets are necessary as are flashlights and spare batteries — just in case. For more information on location and tours, contact the Peaks Ranger Station at (928) 526-0866.
Fort Tuthill County Park
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2019
PROGRESS 2019
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
TRANSPORTATION
ADRIAN SKABELUND
A
Sun Staff Reporter
t the end of 2018, Flagstaff was recognized as a silver level community by the League of American Bicyclists. The city also holds the bronze rank for pedestrian-friendly communities. But now that may change as city staff begins work on a master plan to achieve the gold level for both bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Martin Ince, the multimodal planner for the city and the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization, said many of Flagstaff’s guiding documents have long called for the city to become a more walk- and bike-friendly community, but none have outlined how to get there. Ince said this plan will change that, outlining what infrastructure and policy improvements are needed to improve residents’ ability and comfort in using these forms of transportation. He said Flagstaff is already set up to become a gold star biking and walking city and they hope to get more people to choose these modes of transportation. The city is relatively compact, only seven to eight miles across, and most trips are far shorter than that, Ince said. On top of that, Flagstaff’s population is skewed younger than other cities, and a segment of it is already outdoorsy. “We have a lot of things going for us,” Ince said. “If we just do a few extra things, I think a lot of people would feel that [biking and walking are] a legitimate option to use. If they don’t want to be stuck in traffic, they don’t have to be.” Ince said he hopes the master plan doesn’t take long to develop, adding that it could be submitted to the Flagstaff City Council before the end of the year. That’s because much of the public input for the plan has already been gathered. The city and Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization have conducted seven surveys totaling over 2,000 responses and have attended several community events. One of the surveys showed that residents’ methods of transportation vary widely depending on where they are. According to that study, in the core of the city – which includes downtown, the
SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 |
PROGRESS
Plan to improve
pedestrian, bicycle routes
NANCY WIECHEC
Flagstaff is looking to become a gold star city for cyclists and pedestrians. Southside, NAU and a few of the other surrounding neighborhoods – over 50 percent of trips made were by walking biking or taking a bus. But this dropped rapidly when compared to the rest of the city. In areas of Flagstaff outside that core, only about 16 percent of trips were made using those methods of travel, and outlying communities such as Kachina Village, Bellemont or Doney Park were at 6 percent. One major theme they heard from members of the public is a need for complete
networks of bike lanes and footpaths. “Nothing frustrates people more than to have the bike lane end for example, or to have sidewalks not in place,” Ince said. To that end, the staff has been making inventories of missing sidewalks and bike lanes across the city and prioritizing which to address first. Proposition 419, which voters passed last year, provided money for miles of new sidewalks and bike lanes, and the master plan will influence how that is used, Ince said. He also said it’s not just those who walk
or bike to work who will benefit from an improved pedestrian infrastructure. For every person who bikes, walks or takes the bus, that is one less car on the road. “There’s kind of an ongoing discussion in Flagstaff about traffic, and we could go a long ways in managing that simply by giving people options. But for that to happen, we have to make them enticing, comfortable, appealing options for people, because people may want to bike or walk, but if they don’t feel safe doing it, then they won’t do it at all.”
Boosting the Immune System to Fight Disease At TGen North, our scientists see vast potential in using the body’s immune system to revolutionize the way we treat cancer and build on the successes of vaccination against infectious pathogens, such as smallpox and measles. The natural function of the human immune system allows it to protect the body against malignant tumors and diseasecausing microbes invading our bodies. Immunotherapy uses elements of the immune system to reintroduce supercharged antibodies, and T cells into the body as a means of fighting cancer and infectious diseases. Despite recent advances, many cancers do not respond to immunotherapy and many infectious diseases remain deadly because we lack effective vaccines against them, such as tuberculosis (TB) and the virus that leads to AIDS (HIV). Today, Dr. John Altin and the entire team at TGen North work to develop improved therapies that leverage the power of the body’s immune system to provide a transformative and holistic view of the human immune response and guide development of a new generation of precision medicine. Learn more at www.tgennorth.org
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2019
PROGRESS 2019
| SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
SPECIAL EDITION
FLAGSTAFF
HEALTH
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
PROGRESS BEN SHANAHAN, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Dr. Nate Tritle has been named Flagstaff Medical Center’s 2019 Nathan Avery Physician of the North Country Healthcare’s Julio Quezeda checks on the health status of a local veteran at a public heath event last year. Year. Tritle is an ENT-otolaryngologist (ear nose and throat doctor.)
Well individuals make for healthy community
NANCY WIECHEC
W
Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine
ithout good health, it’s difficult to fully enjoy what life can offer. And the healthier we are, the more we can appreciate and contribute to society. In one sense, the wellness of a community can be measured by the health of its members. So, how is the health of Flagstaff residents and that of our outlying neighbors? There’s no simple answer. The whole health equation takes more into account than access to and quality of health care. Education, employment, how we eat, how we move, work-life balance, relationships, housing, the safety of neighborhoods and roads, and other factors play a role in health. The Population Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has been conducting yearly analyses of several health factors in each U.S. county. The aim is to improve local health outcomes by narrowing the gap between people with the most and those with the least opportunities for good health. The institute recently ranked health outcomes in Coconino County at 10 on a scale of 1 to 15, with 15 being worst. The only Arizona county with a No. 1 ranking was Maricopa, the most populated county in the state. The worst ranking was earned by Apache County, one of Arizona’s least populated counties. The institute’s report for Coconino County listed several areas in need of improvement, where our health outcomes were below the national and state averages. According to the report, Coconino County would rank higher if there were some behavioral adjustments: fewer smokers, a better food environment, less excessive drinking and less sexually transmitted
infections. In clinical care, the report shows that Coconino County has a good ratio of primary care doctors to people — 1 for every 1,200 — than the state as a whole — 1 for every 1,540. Dentists and mental care providers also seem to be more readily available here when compared to state ratios. In other good news, Coconino County has a falling rate of preventable hospital stays. The report lists some other factors as “areas of strength” in the county, like that 69% of the populace has some college education and about 10% is involved in social associations. Also, the county’s violent crime rate and its air pollution rate is lower than that of the state and country. However, the report shows that there’s more room for improvement in the unemployment rate, income inequality and housing cost burden in the county. Through its studies, the Population Health Institute lists four areas where people and communities can work to improve health outcomes: health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment. One outfit working to improve health here, especially among those with low incomes and in rural areas, is North Country Healthcare. It was founded in Flagstaff as a free clinic in 1991 and transitioned to a state and federally funded health center five years later. Today, the full-fledged health system focuses on primary care and health education in 14 northern Arizona communities, including Flagstaff. North Country clinics and programs accept all patients regardless of insurance or financial status. They take new Medicare patients, AHCCS, Kidscare and will assist the uninsured with enrolling for health insurance. The system also provides dental care in Flagstaff, Ash Fork and Winslow and soon at its Williams facility.
North Country Healthcare CEO Dr. Anne Newland said one of the system’s top priorities is integrated health care in which a care team handles a patient’s medical needs. The team may include a primary care provider — the “air traffic controller of health care,” says Newland — plus a care manager, a behaviorist and a clinical pharmacist. In rural areas, the system incorporates “telehealth,” where medical providers and patients can hold visits via video web conferencing. Newland said another North Country strategic initiative is its Family Practice Residency Program, training primary care doctors for work in Arizona, especially in outlying areas. “If we can train medical residents in our north country, then we know we can retain some here,” she said. “Arizona tends to be a net exporter of medical doctors because we don’t have enough residency slots.” North Country also reaches the homeless population via its mobile unit and works with other individuals that find it difficult or uncomfortable to be in a traditional primary care facility. “We offer a wealth of services for transgender people,” said Newland, “a group of people that really struggles to find providers they can trust. … It makes me so happy to see people of all walks of life in our clinics. I’m glad they feel welcome at North Country.” In other local news, Northern Arizona Healthcare announced in January that it had allocated $300 million to facility renovations as part of its new strategic plan. The plan came three months after Florence Spyrow was named the new president and CEO of the nonprofit health care system. Spyrow, whose background includes nursing, law and health care administration, had worked as NAH executive vice president and chief administrative officer
for Flagstaff Medical Center before becoming CEO. NAH operates Flagstaff Medical Center, which houses the only Level I trauma center north of Phoenix. NAH also operates Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood as well as clinics in Sedona, Camp Verde and Village of Oak Creek. The organization’s service area encompasses the Flagstaff and Verde Valley regions; however, according to Spyrow, 60 percent of patients treated at Flagstaff Medical Center come from outside Flagstaff. The health care system’s Guardian Air provides transport and critical care services in outlying communities. Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center were among four hospitals in Arizona and among 6.4% of all U.S. hospitals that recently earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The federal rating is based on up to 60 quality measures. One star is the lowest quality rating and five the best. Last year, Flagstaff Medical Center was named a top hospital in Arizona by U.S. News & World Report, receiving high-performance ratings in aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, hip replacement and knee replacement. Last month, NAH presented its Nathan Avery Physician of the Year award to ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Nate Tritle, a member of Flagstaff Surgical Associates who works at Flagstaff Medical Center and Forest Canyon Surgery Center. Colleagues say that Tritle exemplifies the qualities of Physician of the Year, a title that has been given out to one excelling doctor every year since 1993. “He cares about his patients, striving to give the best care possible. He is well respected amongst his colleagues. Nate is the real deal,” Dr. Dan Kaminskas told the Arizona Daily Sun.
LOCAL BUSINESSES
Creating a stronger and more vibrant city
D
iversity is a wonderful thing. Diverse cultures, styles, peoples and ideas generate energy and innovation and make the world more vibrant, more exciting and stronger. Science tells us that a diverse ecosystem is more easily able to handle disruptions or changes. Similar to an ecosystem, a diverse business community is stronger and more vibrant, too. Flagstaff has some sectors where we shine intensely — biosciences, health care, astronomy and tourism. From medical devices to outdoor gear to vegetarian burgers to delicious beverages to pet food, you may be surprised at the diversity of the Flagstaff business landscape. Let’s begin with W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff ’s largest private employer and a global leader in the manufacturing of medical devices. Followed by, Electric Torque Machines, a Flagstaff company that designs, develops and manufactures electric motors that deliver up to 10 times more continuous torque per pound than conventional motors. Joy Cone Company, which makes the air by Flagstaff airport smell sweet, is the largest manufacturer of ice cream cones in the world! HYPO 2 provides high-altitude training to worldclass athletes and trained over 200 athletes from 30 countries for the Rio Summer. You may have passed some of these elite athletes on Flagstaff trails or eaten with them in restaurants as they prepared for greatness. In addition, Symple Surgical is developing novel therapeutic technologies through controlled microwave ablation. Flagstaff ’s diverse business list continues with Nestle Purina, manufacturer of dog and cat food, in an advanced production facility in Flagstaff and employer of over 300 people in the community. Wet Dreams River Supply began in 2008 with a dream of making quality sewn river equipment. Today, Wet Dreams has grown from making soft goods to providing the paddle sports community with quality goods from the top companies and manufactur-
JAKE BACON, ARIZONA DAILY SUN
Kara and Ross Taylor, co-founders of Love You foods LLC, stand in front of the “Fat-O-Matic” machine, custom made to speed up the packaging of their supplement pouches. ers in the industry. The attention to detail of the products designed and sewn in the Flagstaff retail location has earned Wet Dreams a top spot in the ever-growing paddle sports market. Companies and recreational enthusiasts on every continent now use products made by Wet Dreams on their paddle sports expeditions. T-Gen North is a medical research institute dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research to unravel genetic components of common and complex diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, infectious disease, and rare childhood disorders. The digital commerce division of Deckers operates in Flagstaff and sells various brands including Teva, which was created in Flagstaff. Tepa Burger is a vegetarian alternative to meat made with many locally sourced products from Arizona’s whole tepary beans to high mountain sweet kale.
Additional highlights include Senestech, Flagstaff ’s first home-grown publicly traded company, provides a humane treatment of managing animal populations. And, Canyon Diablo Spirits and Distillery, handcrafts world-class, premium small-batch artisanal spirits that have won numerous awards. Love You Foods LLC is dedicated to providing the best high-quality fats in a form that is easy to carry, use and enjoy. Machine Solutions provides manufacturing and testing equipment for catheter and medical device manufacturers throughout the United States and the world. Planet Rider is developing a hybrid vehicle that runs with a human drivetrain, ultra-efficient electric hub motors, a revolutionary new alternator and lithium phosphate batteries. It has the characteristics of a motor scooter with the added features of faster acceleration, regenerative braking and all-
NANCY WIECHEC, NORTHERN ARIZONA’S MOUNTAIN LIVING MAGAZINE
Joy Cone, the largest producer of ice cream cones in the world, makes cones and other ice-cream products here in Flagstaff. wheel drive, resulting in higher average speeds and shorter commute times, even on routes that are mainly uphill. All these companies and many more are creating, innovating, manufacturing and selling products and services here in Flagstaff amid our incredible restaurants and breweries, our tour guides and rafting companies, our health care facilities and nonprofits, our hotels, our retail stores and the hundreds of support businesses that make Flagstaff a vibrant and exciting place to live and work. We truly are diverse as a community, and we have a diverse set of businesses that make our mountain town shine. That makes for a creative, hard-working place, and a strong economy serving the region and the world.
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Keeping Arizona On Like you, we call Arizona home. That’s why we’re advancing the state’s clean energy future. Our energy mix is already 50 percent clean. Today, we have 10 large-scale solar plants and more than 1 million solar panels across the state. Adding innovative battery storage at our solar plants makes solar available late in the afternoon and at night. These are just some of the ways we’re keeping Arizona’s power clean, reliable and affordable for today and tomorrow.
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! w o N Book
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To make your flying experience better: • • • • • •
Be dropped off at the airport vs. parking Arrive 2 hours prior to flight Check luggage Print boarding pass Begin TSA screening ASAP Place liquids in a clear plastic bag for screening
Thank you for Flying Flagstaff First
6200 S. PULLIAM DRIVE, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86005 | 928.213.2930 | DISCOVERFLAGSTAFF.COM M 1