Below is the schedule of upcoming Goodwill Workshops! For details on signing up, please call 928-556-5096 or come in the Career Center to register. Note that our classes and workshops will be offered only Virtually until further notice, and space is limited. Select courses are also offered on My Career Advisor.
Let’s “Taco” ‘Bout Coconino Community College. FREE and open to the public, the CCC Page Center is hosting an Open House on Tue., Nov 9, 2021.
Everyone is invited to attend and welcome to join CCC at the Page Center for food, fun and community information about your college.
Coconino County’s next Building Businesses & Entrepreneurs (BBE) business plan development Zoom (and Classroom, assuming the pandemic doesn’t worsen) -based training will run 6-9pm, Tuesdays for 9-week through Nov. 16. If you are eligible, our Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grant opportunity is also available. This email has information, below and attached, on the benefits of each program and how to sign-up.
Proceeds from the Coconino Community College Clay Club Holiday Sale help fund the arts at CCC.
Why not purchase one-of-a-kind, original, hand-made holiday gifts this year while helping to support a good cause all at the same time?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, various cities and companies suspended utility shut-offs in an effort to help struggling residents. Now, as shut-offs are beginning to resume, residents are being encouraged to seek financial assistance or work with their utility company to develop a payment plan if they are unable to pay their bills.
Contact your utility company as soon as possible if you anticipate being unable to pay your bill for any reason. Your utility company will walk you through available assistance options such as setting up a payment plan, applying to one of their programs, or applying for aid through a local agency.
Would you like to give to a worthy cause? If so, you could donate today to the Coconino Community College Foundation.
Your gift in support of a CCC student scholarship during Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2020 can help a CCC student achieve their educational goals.
To her, math is the language of the universe and helps her to be a better person.
So, it’s only fitting that Coconino Community College student Niousha Toroghi would be offered the prestigious American Mathematical Association for Two-Year Colleges Wanda Garner Presidential Student Scholarship.
“This scholarship is a blessing for me,” Niousha said. “It means I have achieved my goals so far. I have higher goals to achieve, and I look forward to striving for them.”
APS has rolled out a free digital tool that help small and medium businesses fine-tune their business models and be more competitive by connecting them with market research and business intelligence for their sector.
The SizeUp Arizona platform allows businesses to input their specific information, such as annual revenues, number of employees, average salaries and more, and then instantly compare themselves to similar businesses locally, statewide and nationally.
“Access to this information allows smaller companies the competitive intelligence necessary to establish and grow their businesses,” said Kelly Patton, APS Senior Economic Development Consultant for Statewide Programs.
As we get ready to close out our celebration of Manufacturing Month, we set our sights on Bellemont, which may soon be primed for significant economic development.
Provisions in both the U.S. House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act 2021 (NDAA) would transfer about 3,000 acres – almost 5 square miles – of land at Camp Navajo to the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. That move would allow businesses to more easily locate in and around the military base.
When you ask local manufacturers to describe 2020, the words that keep popping up are things like unexpected, rollercoaster and whirlwind. For the food and beverage sector, one more word could be added to the list: expanding.
Despite the challenges of this year, several local manufacturers of food and drink have taken the plunge with plans to expand current facilities or move growing companies into new locations. Some pivoted their businesses to produce other items needed because of COVID-19. Still others found themselves scrambling to meet exploding demand.
Currently only 45.1% of Coconino County residents have filled out the 2020 Census. This is worrisome because this can result in a SEVERE under count if more of our community members do not respond. The Census is important because it ensures that Coconino County receives federal funds for things like Public Safety, Schools, Roads and Infrastructure, Medicare and Medicaid, and more!
The Census also determines how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives. It’s important to remember the following when filling out the 2020 Census:
Count everyone who is living in your house on or after 04/01/20 on your census form
The census DOES NOT ask about citizenship
All information collected is required BY LAW to be kept confidential
Make sure to include children and babies when filling out your census
EVERYONE COUNTS!
You count. Your families count. Your neighbors count.
Last week, members of the ECoNA Board and Advisory Council met via teleconference with U.S. Senator Martha McSally to talk about the state of our recovery, chances for a new stimulus package and the resurgence of manufacturing in Arizona.
The lunchtime discussion was just one day before a major vote on the Republicans proposed “slimmed” down relief package, a $500 billion plan that ultimately was blocked by Senate Democrats the following day.
Seasonal influenza vaccine is being offered at the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Drive-up and Walk-up Flu Vaccination Clinics will be held every Friday beginning September 11 and every other Saturday beginning September 12 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. No appointment is needed. Masks or face coverings are required.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first step in protecting against flu viruses. It is strongly recommended that everyone 6 months old and over get a flu shot each year.
The cost for a flu vaccination at the CCHHS Clinic is $30. CCHHS is contracted with most major insurance carriers. As a courtesy, CCHHS will bill the insurance carrier, but those seeking a flu shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation was awarded an Arizona Water Protection Fund grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to conduct the Harrenburg Wash Enhancement Project.
Coconino County Parks and Recreation was awarded an Arizona Water Protection Fund grant from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to conduct the Harrenburg Wash Enhancement Project. This project will enhance the riparian habitat at Harrenburg Wash which is part of Pumphouse County Natural Area, located approximately ten miles south of Flagstaff in the community of Kachina Village. The grant award is $129,190.
When we started the COVID-19 Fund back in March, our goal was to quickly turn your donations into support for local organizations meeting the basic needs of our residents during this unprecedented time. Our expertise means we can cut down on the ‘red tape’ and rapidly get money to agencies that are highly skilled at meeting this moment.
Your generosity has allowed us to distribute almost $400,000 to local nonprofits including food banks, child care providers and homeless shelters. Often, your gifts have helped communities and populations that are overlooked or underserved.
The experience was really like trying to grab a small sip from a firehose at full blast.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down business across the state, organizations like the Coconino Small Business Development Center at Coconino Community College stepped into breach to lend a needed hand.
“When the COVID-19 disaster started, it was just me and Amanda part time,” said Gina Couillard, Director of the Coconino SBDC, adding that Amanda Hyde moved to a full-time business analyst and operations specialist in short order to assist with the demand from local businesses.
The Coconino Community College TRIO Student Support Services program received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant, which will be distributed over a five-year period, is the third such grant CCC has received since 2010.
“This is a big deal because our priority is first-generation students, students with disabilities and low-income students,” said Jessica Laessig, TRIO project coordinator at CCC. “This grant is important to be able to help these students who need it the most on our campus.”
We are adding two small corrections to the links for the Southside Plan and related public hearings.
Southside Plan
After several years of community participation, the Southside Community Plan, which will define how the Southside will develop for years to come, is almost ready for adoption. Go to www.flagstaff.az.gov/southsideplan [updated] to read.
To participate in the public forum, please visit:
https://www.opentownhall.com/9105
It’s been more than a month since our last bulletin on how coronavirus is affecting the regional economic landscape. Since that time, we’ve gone from cautious reopening to reversals as COVID-19 cases spiked in Arizona. Here’s the latest:
#1. Governor Doug Ducey hits the ‘rewind’ button on reopening with select business closures until at least July 27. Back in early May, the governor accelerated the state’s reopening, citing positive trends in coronavirus infection rates. By mid-May, the statewide stay-at-home order expired and within days of that, cases of COVID-19 began to spike.
Coconino County families and individuals struggling to pay their utility and/or rental/mortgage bills may qualify for assistance from Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS).
The CCHHS Office of Community and Career Services, a Community Action Agency, administers a Utility Assistance Program called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as a Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program to help County residents.
The Flagstaff City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget at their meeting on June 16, 2020, which includes plans to fully fund the city public safety pensions plans. The city has entered into contracts for the issuance of Certificates of Participation debt to address the city’s unfunded pension liability.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 budget during its public meeting on June 23. The budget, effective July 1, focuses on service delivery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and responsible financial planning in light of declining revenue.
“The Board of Supervisors spent considerable time over this year weighing priorities and deliberating this year’s budget,” said Chairwoman Liz Archuleta. “Coconino County is financially strained from a dramatic loss in state and local sales tax as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has demonstrated great fiscal responsibility in this budget to meet the service needs of our community during these challenging times.”
The Director’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) continues to successfully engage with our community partners throughout our programmatic divisions. In continuing this effort, this event will provide the most recent updates from DES’ Senior Leadership about the success of the Virtual Office model across the agency. It will also provide an opportunity to bring information to our statewide Community Partners regarding DES’ efforts to serve Arizonans in a Virtual Environment, how it is tracking the staff productivity, and the importance of this model. During this virtual session, our Director will be sharing his vision of consistent dialogue and a call to action.
For small businesses affected by COVID-19, APS is offering help through a special Customer Support Fund. Current customers on the Extra Small or Small Business Plans who are two months or more past due on their APS bill can receive a bill credit of $1,000. Credits are available to qualified customers until the fund is depleted.
Since 2007 Coconino County has been assisting eligible county residents with itsBasic Business Empowerment (BBE) training (www.coconino.az.gov/bbe) and Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants (www.coconino.az.gov/ida) opportunity. The 9-week, summer 2020 BBE training (session 2) is scheduled to be held 6-9pm, Tuesdays, Aug. 4th through Sept. 29thonly online via a 9-week Zoom Web-based video conferencing format. Coconino County currently contracts facilitation for its BBE training from the Coconino Small Business Development Center which provides additional resources for our BBE participants.
A recent report from Save the Children further proves how location can profoundly affect a child’s prospects in this country, and why it is vital that we continue to Step Up for Our Youth in northern Arizona.
The report, called “The Land of Inopportunity,” is a part of the nonprofit’s annual evaluation of how children are faring around the globe. This year, however, Save the Children added a powerful tool that allows regions to see how they measure up – an online interactive map ranking U.S. counties by how well they prioritized and protect children.
The ranking is determined by four factors that “end” childhood: poor education, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy and early death due to ill health, accident, murder or suicide.
Coconino Community College is continuing to award funds to qualified students from the federal CARES Act stimulus package.
About $100,000 is being awarded to qualifying students for the summer semester.
We are getting closer to launching our Saturday morning conversation via FB live. The title will be: Let’s Talk Salud, Dinero y Amor, and we will test a bilingual approach. As of now, this talk will start at 7 am, and will feature community members, leaders, and experts. The graphic for this offering is not ready; do find attached those being used for the other three virtual offerings. Very much looking forward to this conversation. Participants will be able to engage by providing comments and questions. We are working on preparing a phone number for those who want to join by phone.
Our radio show this week addressed Seguro Social: Jubilación Temprana (1). Don’t miss our new weekly series on nutrition and wellness.
Charlotte Willin appeared on the computer screen via a Zoom video conference with her Coconino Community College advisor Mitch Driebe.
Willin, a student at Northern Arizona University, wants to knock out Physiology & Anatomy 2 during the summer while she is at home in Long Beach, Calif. Her goal is to become an Occupational Therapist.
“I didn’t want to forget anything,” Willin said to Driebe.
Her reason for taking the five-week session at Coconino Community College: It ‘s very affordable.
Willin joins hundreds of other students filling out their class rosters for summer and fall “virtually” with advisors at CCC. The college began offering the service following the campus closures in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Small businesses across Arizona have lost federal dollars to larger companies in urban areas — that is no secret. Lack of access to SBA-partnered community banks limited opportunities for many. Local First Arizona is proud to join forces these three partners to distribute grants — not loans — to businesses across the state.
Did you know that you might qualify for money to go to college this fall?
But you will have to apply quickly for federal financial aid.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the federal government has approved funds through the CARES Act to help U.S. citizens attend college.
Coconino Community College has received a share of this money and will distribute it for the Fall semester to students and prospective students who qualify.
As we gradually move from crisis response to economic recovery, our region’s businesses are poised to reopen and a variety of entities are working to make sure that shift is both safe and successful.
To that end, here are some of the resources you may wish to consult during this time of transition.
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
Healthy Habits Emergency Saving Matching Program
Memorial Day Precautions
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
AZ COVID-19 Testing Blitz
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) is launching a program that matches people’s savings while helping them improve their financial habits.
The Healthy Habits Emergency Saving Matching program provides free financial education/coaching and matches participants’ saving over nine months. The longer participants save, the larger the matching ratio becomes – giving participants the opportunity to triple their savings from $225 to $675.
Local First Arizona has created a Small Business Relief Fund to provide mini-grants (typically ranging from $1000 – $2500) to locally-owned small businesses. Local First Arizona is attempting to serve as many individuals and families in need as possible. The application process is simple and can be completed quickly. Please review the criteria before applying:
In This Newsletter:
Quote of the Day
COVID-19 Daily Dashboard
AZDHS COVID-19 Website
Public trashing Coconino National Forest
Coconino NF reopening some recreation sites
Flagstaff Family Food Center COVID-19 Service
Don’t forget to fill out the 2020 Census!
Stay Connected with Us!
Visit our Website
The CDC has recently announced the expanded the list of wide-range symptoms for COVID-19. The mild to severe symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after initial exposure to the virus. The expanded list of six new symptoms is crucial for individuals who are seeking testing whom must first show symptoms.
The Flagstaff City Council will discuss the allocation of Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds provided by the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act and substantial amendments to the 2019/2020 CDBG Annual Action Plan at their meeting on May 12, 2020. CDBG-CV funds were allocated to the City of Flagstaff by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) specifically to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
The United Way of Northern Arizona and Coconino County have developed a COVID-19 Social Safety-Net Services Coalition Resource Guide.
The Social Safety-Net Services Coalition is a county-wide coalition of safety-net service providers who are working together to lead, support and coordinate Housing, Food and Emergency Cash Assistance in response to Covid-19.
The guide includes information on organizations providing Spanish-language assistance including the Circle of Page, the Page Domestic Violence Center, St. Vincent de Paul’s food boxes, utility and other services; and Williams Food Pantry and More.
Non-Filers VA, SSI recipients with eligible children need to act by Tuesday, May 5 to quickly add money to their automatic Economic Impact Payment; $500 for each dependent child. Click here for details.
AARP keeps advocating for those on nursing homes. See attached letter sent to Governor Ducey and questions to ask if you have a loved one at a nursing home.
FLAGSTAFF — The city of Flagstaff is making progress toward 100% funding for its Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) unfunded liability. PSPRS is a retirement system for Fire and Police staff. Since 2003, the city’s unfunded actuarial liability has grown…
Round 2 of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) begins this morning, as the Small Business Administration accepts new applications for the potentially forgivable federal loans.
However, businesses with employees, sole proprietors and independent contractors need to act now if they hope to tap into the new $310 billion pool of funding, according to Bruce Nordstrom of Nordstrom & Associates P.C. in Flagstaff.
Catholic Charities Helping Families, Vets, Homeless & Children During COVID-19 In case you missed it, Catholic Charities, the nonprofit recently named Flagstaff’s “Organization of the Year,” wanted to share a message with those of you who have given to the…
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health & Human Services / Community Services report Coconino County Rental or Move In Assistance with Utility Deposit is available for Coconino County residents including seniors, disabled, families, veterans and individuals in crisis and affected by COVID-19. Must…
Due to the overwhelming need for help that many are seeking from your agencies the Shadows Foundation would like to make available better bucks for purchase this month for $3 each. Each book will still provide $5 in better bucks vouchers…
As government response to the coronavirus outbreak increases, there’s news to report on many levels that affects northern Arizonans and our business community, so let’s dive in.
Dear Friend, Hope this email finds you and yours healthy and safe. We have more local economic news to share ranging from a local video (that hopefully will make you smile) to new services at the county, state and federal level as…
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Health & Human Services / Community Services report Coconino County Rental or Move In Assistance with Utility Deposit is available for Coconino County residents including seniors, disabled, families, veterans and individuals in crisis and affected by COVID-19. Must…
March 25, 2020 Coconino County Government ELIZABETH C. ARCHULETA Supervisor, District 2 Special Edition Visit our Website Contact Us Supervisor Liz Archuleta; (928) 679-7152; larchuleta@coconino.az.gov Theresa M. Munoz, Executive Assistant; (928) 679-7162; tmunoz@coconino.az.gov County adopts new office & building procedures County services…
Click here for the entire e-newsletter VITA Helping Residents on Taxes United Way of Northern Arizona and its community partners are once again helping our friends and neighbors save significantly on their taxes through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)…
Dear Partners and Friends of CCC, It’s Scholarship Time! Coconino Community College Foundation Scholarship Applications are now open. Apply for the 2020-2021 academic school year now, before your opportunity melts away! Deadline for scholarship applications is Thursday, March 12, 2020…
Individual Development Accounts (IDA) matching grants for business, college education also available FLAGSTAFF — The next Coconino County Community Services’ (CCCS) 12-week (36-hour) Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) will be presented from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evenings through May 12 through…
The Goodwill Virtual Job Fair Flagstaff, hosted by Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 29.
Clearly COVID-19 will have a significant economic impact on Northern Arizona for years to come. NACOG EDC will host a Economic Recovery Summit with regional leaders to discuss what investments, economic development actions, and partnerships with the State and Federal leaders we can create now to mitigate the economic damage and accelerate the recovery.
FLAGSTAFF — Since 2007 Coconino County has been assisting eligible county residents with its Basic Business Empowerment (BBE) training (www.coconino.az.gov/bbe<http://www.coconino.az.gov/bbe>) and Individual Development Accounts (IDA) match saving grants (www.coconino.az.gov/ida<http://www.coconino.az.gov/ida>) opportunity. The 9-week, summer 2020 BBE training (session 2) is scheduled…
LEARN TO:
Create a viable business plan and structure
Clearly define your product or service
Analyze your market and competitors
Develop your value proposition and pricing
Project costs, income, cash-flow, & profit/loss
By Coconino County COCONINO COUNTY — Volunteers needed for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. As a Volunteer you will: Help families gain free access to Tax Credits and keep more money in their pockets. Gain valuable experience—IRS…
Dear Friend, As many of you know, I’m entering into my last few weeks as head of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona and, indeed, as a resident of this great state. Nov. 30th will be my official last day,…
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Deputy Manager and Chief Financial Officer Mike Townsend has accepted the position of Administrator of the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) for the State of Arizona. The PSPRS Board of Trustees voted to appoint Townsend…
FLAGSTAFF — Applications are now available for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program at Coconino Community College LSAMP is a National Science Foundation grant-funded program that provides free services to students that identify as an underrepresented minority…
