Navajo County Economic and Workforce Development Director Paul Watson gave an overview of the final report for the Regional Economic Assessment Study at the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 8.
The report indicated that coal-related employment accounted for only three to five percent of the overall job market in the county, and that the emphasis for change needs to be in implementing broadband, encouraging small businesses, bringing in more education and increasing tourism marketing.
In October of 2017, Navajo County was awarded $104,265 from a grant for assistance to coal affected communities from the Economic Development Administration. REAL AZ provided a cash match of $7,135 and Arizona Public Service (APS) contributed $6,000. Navajo County did an in-kind match in the amount of $13,735.
The project was broken into two phases, with Phase One being an in-depth regional study conducted by Highland Economics to understand four primary areas: The adverse impact of change to the coal industry in the county, target growth industries, recommend an effective way to market the area to those industries identify infrastructure gaps, and create strategies for growth. Phase Two is the proposed strategic action plan.
Presenting the findings were principal and senior economists Barbara Wyse and Travis Greenwalt with Highland Economics. Wyse said the jobs provided by the Cholla Power Plant and Kayenta Mine a small percentage of all the jobs in Navajo County. The Cholla Plant provides 170 direct jobs and Kayenta Mine provides 345 direct jobs. While in Apache County the impact is between four and eight percent, with the Coronado Power Plant employing 220 workers and Springerville Power Plant employing 430 workers.
With the potential loss of those jobs in the coming years, Wyse said, “The question becomes how do we attract people and grow businesses here.” She went on to say, “Small businesses employ the most people in the United States. So it is important to make it easy to set up businesses.”
Greenwalt noted in his presentation that the positive attributes of the county were the railroads, including the Apache Railway and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad, as well as Interstate 40 and the airports.
“Broadband is the primary gap that constrains growth in the region for remote workers and others, but it is a gap that is being solved,” Greenwalt shared.
Greenwalt also noted there are several other areas to consider, including natural gas for a ready source of energy; a four-year college to bring a young, energetic workforce to the region; and entertainment, as the area is under-represented in the arts.
The report is more than 150 pages and includes evaluations, case studies and proposed action plans. The presentation of the final strategic action plan will be in September. Watson said, “I want to thank APS and others for helping us to do this project.”
In other business, the board approved:
*The abatement of personal property taxes.
*The Intergovernmental Agreement Amendment for the 2019 Fiscal Year between the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Navajo County Public Health Services District Tobacco and Chronic Disease Program.
*The cancelation of the contract with J. Banicki Construction, Inc., for repairs on Woodruff Concrete Bridge.
*Award of contract to Cactus Transport, Inc., for supplying and delivering liquid asphalt products.
*Award of contract to Pacific Ponderosa Company for supply and delivery of culverts and bands.
*Adding Task Agreement Number Six to Memorandum of Agreement between Hopi Department of Transportation and Navajo County for purchasing of aggregate material on Hopi public roads.
*A $5,000 funding request to purchase carp for the Little Colorado River Plateau Resource Conservation and Development Area to support weed control management in Rainbow Lake.
*Amendment Number One to the Victory Heights Road Maintenance District Contract for road maintenance and related improvements, extending the contract for one additional year to July 10, 2019, with no cost increase.
*Contract with CRM of America, LLC, for the Hauling of Waste Tires. This is the third renewal of four additional one-year terms with no cost increase.
*The renewal of the contract with Sunline Contracting, LLC, for pavement markings with no cost increase. This is the first renewal of up to four one-year renewals.
*Fireworks display permit and permit to shoot the anvil at the Mogollon High School in Heber on July 7 between 5 and 6 a.m.
*Chief Elected Officials and Local Workforce Development Board Partnership Agreement for the Northeastern Arizona Local Workforce Development Board as revised on April 19, 2018.
*Tax exemptions for seven individuals which were filed as a request for redemption waiver.
*Professional Services Agreement with Painted Sky Engineering and Survey, LLC, for Lone Pine Dam Road for Signing and Striping Plans. Compensation for these services shall be a lump sum of $8,200.
*Settlement of claim notice for damage to a resident’s mailbox by a public works equipment operator during cindering activities following a snow storm this past January. The requested settlement amount is $134.18.
*The adoption of the proposed small claims settlement process.
