Tag: Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA)

ECoNA — County Fair & SciFest at a Screen Near You

by Community Contributor • September 3, 2020 • Comments Off

As we head into this holiday weekend, I want to congratulate the organizers of two of the biggest events on the Flagstaff calendar for their ingenuity in bringing us virtual versions of these annual celebrations.

For fans of the Coconino County Fair, it’s not easy to capture the sounds, smells and thrills of the Fair, but the folks at Coconino County Parks & Recreation have done their best to bring the experience into your home.

Would you like to see the 4-H Livestock Show? How about 7-plus hours of steers, pigs, goats and lambs right here. (They’ll also be hosting the auction over these next three days online).

ECoNA COVID-19 update — Schools & Child Care

by Community Contributor • August 27, 2020 • Comments Off

School is back in session in northern Arizona, although it looks unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, with most K-12 school systems opting for virtual classes at least for the first quarter of the school year because of coronavirus.

#1 Benchmarks. One of the big statistical indicators for whether a school district is ready to begin in-person sessions has to do with three benchmarks from the Arizona Department of Health Services. They are:

A decline in coronavirus cases or less than 100 cases per 100,000 individuals for two consecutive weeks;
Two consecutive weeks with “percent positivity” below 7%. (This is exactly what it sounds like; that fewer than 7% of the coronavirus tests come back positive. It’s an indicator of transmission rates or that too few people are being tested.)
Two consecutive weeks with hospital visits for COVID-like illnesses in the region below 10%.

ECoNA COVID-19 Bulletin #11: Historic GDP & HEALS vs HEROES

by Community Contributor • July 31, 2020 • Comments Off

This was a week of eye-popping numbers at the federal level, from the release of the Republicans long-awaited stimulus proposal to the data dropped yesterday by the U.S. Commerce Department that showed how coronavirus has impacted gross domestic product (GDP).

#1. Exactly how much did the GDP lose? Let’s take that last one first, because there is some confusion about the numbers released by Commerce. In fact, you might have seen two vastly different headlines – one saying the economy contracted by 9.5% during the past quarter and one saying it was 32.9%.

ECoNA — COVID-19 and the Arts

by Community Contributor • July 23, 2020 • Comments Off

While everyone has been hard hit by COVID-19, it has been particularly difficult for the arts sector, where finding social-distancing workarounds can be challenging. Coronavirus has temporarily put an end to First Friday Artwalks, crowded summer festivals, and attending concerts and theater productions.

Not to say that the arts in our region have come to a full stop. The Museum of Northern Arizona reopened recently on a limited basis, with patrons having to purchase tickets and schedule their visit in advance so the museum can spread out visitors. Masks are required and multiple other measures have been taken to prevent COVID-19 spread.

[ECONA] COVID-19 Bulletin #10: Hitting the ‘Rewind’ Button

by Community Contributor • July 2, 2020 • Comments Off

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.

ECoNA — Restaurants & the ‘Slow & Stressful’ Road to Recovery

by Community Contributor • June 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Flagstaff’s dining establishments quite literally give “flavor” to our community. They play important roles as employers and are vital not only to our tourism sector, but as a part of the everyday quality of life we enjoy here as residents.

That’s evident by the loyalty our community and local leaders have shown to restaurants during COVID-19. You could find long lines for takeout at many establishments and increased requests for deliveries.

But even with that support, the road to recovery for this sector has been, as one restaurateur put it, “slow and stressful.”

ECoNA —Highgate Senior Living Poised to Hire 80+ Workers

by Community Contributor • June 4, 2020 • Comments Off

As our region tentatively enters into its economic recovery, it is encouraging to know a new enterprise is coming to Flagstaff and planning to hire more than 80 workers.

Highgate Senior Living, a new assisted living facility under construction on 3.3 acres of McMillan Mesa, is starting to fill positions in advance of its grand opening next spring.

ECoNA COVID-19 Bulletin #9: Rapid Employment Training Grants

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2020 • Comments Off

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.

ECoNA — COVID-19 Bulletin #6: Round 2 of PPP Opens Today

by Community Contributor • April 27, 2020 • Comments Off

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.

ECoNA COVID-19 Bulletin #4: Paycheck Protection Program

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2020 • Comments Off

Probably the biggest economic news right now is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the pool of almost $350 billion in forgivable small business loans that is one of the main components of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Today’s bulletin will be a little different as we do a deeper dive on this one topic – what the PPP is supposed to do, the hurdles and hiccups it has faced in its first week, and how the government and financial institutions are responding.

ECoNA — COVID-19 Bulletin #3: Gov. Ducey Town Hall Tonight

by Community Contributor • April 2, 2020 • Comments Off

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.

ECoNA — COVID-19 Bulletin #2: Flagstaff Local Urges ‘Carry-Out and Settle In’

by Community Contributor • March 26, 2020 • Comments Off

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…

ECoNA — TGen Developes COVID-19 Test

by Community Contributor • March 12, 2020 • Comments Off

Dear Friend, TGen North, the Flagstaff-based division of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, has developed a test for the coronavirus and anticipates being able to deploy it in the near future. “This is part of our role as a…

ECoNA — Flagstaff Bioscience Roadmap Luncheon

by Community Contributor • March 5, 2020 • Comments Off

Dear Friend, The Flinn Foundation will be hosting its annual luncheon in Flagstaff next month to discuss progress made on the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap, the long-term strategic plan to make the state competitive and a national leader in select areas of…

ECoNA — W.L. Gore Makes ‘Top 100’ List Again

by Community Contributor • February 27, 2020 • Comments Off

Dear Friend, W.L. Gore & Associates has been making an impact on Flagstaff as the city’s largest corporate employer and a committed community member for the past half century. For 21 of those years, the company also has been named as…

ECoNA — Promoting Our Region to Attract Companies

by Community Contributor • February 13, 2020 • Comments Off

Click here for more information on ECoNA Dear Friend, Greetings from Anaheim, California, and Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West – the world’s largest trade show for MD&M companies. More than 20,000 bioscience professionals are here, including representatives from W.L. Gore, POBA…

[ECONA] Looking to the Future for ECoNA

by Community Contributor • January 9, 2020 • Comments Off

Dear Frank, I am very excited to be serving as the Interim President and CEO of the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) and wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the experience I bring to this…

ECoNA — Saying Goodbye/Changes at ECoNA

by Community Contributor • November 20, 2019 • Comments Off

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,…

ECoNA — Deadline Nears to Register for NAU Economic Outlook Conference

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2019 • Comments Off

Dear Friend, Dr. Jennifer Golbeck, a computer scientist who is an expert in social networks, social media, privacy and security on the web, will be the keynote speaker at the 44th Annual Economic Outlook Conference next month at Northern Arizona…

ECoNA — Q&A with Chris Verrill of Theatrikos

by Community Contributor • October 11, 2019 • Comments Off

Since the start of the year, four of northern Arizona’s major arts organizations have undergone a change in leadership. With the arts being one of the our region’s major economic drivers, we wanted to check in with these new executives…

ECoNA — Q&A with Flagstaff Art Council’s Jonathan Stone

by Community Contributor • September 5, 2019 • Comments Off

Click here for the entire e-newsletter Since the start of the year, four of northern Arizona’s major arts organizations have undergone a change in leadership. With the arts being one of the our region’s major economic drivers, we wanted to check…

ECoNA — NAU Internships Provide Experience and Employee Pipeline

by Community Contributor • August 8, 2019 • Comments Off

As Northern Arizona University students return for the fall term later this month, many will be looking for the chance to use what they’ve learned so far through internships. Some are working for course credit, some are meeting…

ECoNA update for July 11 — Educators Learning to Beat the Odds

by Community Contributor • July 11, 2019 • Comments Off

School may be out for summer, but a group of 23 educators in Flagstaff recently embarked on a 14-month program designed to foster strong learning environments and provide executive leadership training to current administrators and aspiring educational leaders. The first unit of the…

ECoNA update for June 18 — Discover Flagstaff Promoting Our Lunar Legacy

by Community Contributor • June 18, 2019 • Comments Off

Discover Flagstaff, formerly the city’s Convention & Visitor Bureau, has always known how to leverage Northern Arizona’s assets to draw tourists – and their dollars – to our region. From skiing and snowplay in winter to food, beer and music festivals…

ECoNA update for May 31 — Harkins – A Blockbuster in Flagstaff

by Community Contributor • May 31, 2019 • Comments Off

Warmer weather means blockbuster movies in the theaters and this year is no exception. Avengers: Endgame is closing in on $3 billion (yes, that’s a “b”) in worldwide ticket sales after being out a month. Meanwhile, a lot…

ECoNA update for May 16 — A Different Way of Looking at NAU Impact

by Community Contributor • May 16, 2019 • Comments Off

With graduation weekend just behind us, we read with interest a report from Northern Arizona University that included some unique statistics about NAU’s positive impact in the community. Typically when we get these reports, the takeaways are the…

ECoNA update for April 30 — Bioscience Roadmap Highlights in NAZ

by Community Contributor • April 30, 2019 • Comments Off

Click here for more information Each year, the Flinn Foundation provides an update on the state’s Bioscience Roadmap, a collaborative plan that will continue until 2025 to make Arizona a leader in select bioscience fields. Earlier this month,…

ECoNA update for April 17 — ACA Job Training Grants Application Open

by Community Contributor • April 17, 2019 • Comments Off

Hello, There’s some good news for our small businesses in northern Arizona and around the state that I’m pleased to share with you today. The Arizona Commerce Authority is offering to reimburse businesses up to 75 percent of…

ECoNA update for March 28 — Goodwill Expanding its Services, locations

by Community Contributor • March 28, 2019 • Comments Off

, It’s been almost two years since Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona (GINA) merged with its sister to the south, the Phoenix-based Goodwill of Central Arizona. We wanted to check in to see how the nonprofit is continuing its unique…

ECoNA update for March 14 — Arizona Snowbowl’s Record Season

by Community Contributor • March 14, 2019 • Comments Off

Arizona Snowbowl is breaking records faster than Bode Miller skiing downhill. On the heels of an exceptionally busy two-week holiday season at the end of last year, the ski resort saw 80,000 visitors in January and another 64,000…

ECoNA update for Sept. 25

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2018 • Comments Off

Click here for more information In recent years, Flagstaff has made a name for itself as a pioneer of responsible, earth-friendly building practices, particularly the construction of large-scale “green” projects designed to ensure energy efficiency. One of the leaders…

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