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Economic development within small businesses and tourism remains on the forefront of Navajo County economic development, as the loss of the Navajo Generating Station and Cholla Power Plant loom in the not so distant future.
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Earlier in 2018, a study was done for the county by Highland Economics as part of the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) grant the county received. Within that study was indicated that the emphasis for change needed to be in implementing broadband, encouraging small businesses, bringing in more education and increasing tourism marketing.
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While broadband is still very important and remains a focus, Watson said he is also focusing on two of the areas listed in the report, namely, small business development and outdoor experiences to enhance the tourism market.
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Navajo County Economic and Workforce Development Director Paul Watson said the economic development focus currently is in helping to develop small businesses and focusing on outdoor experiences. “We still believe the natural resources, like potash, to be a part of this. If potash develops, it would be a game changer and at some point we think it will be viable.
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“Most recently, we have partnered with Moonshot at NACET, an organization out of Flagstaff that has developed an entrepreneur mentoring program,” continued Watson. With some funding assistance, Resource Energy Access Lifestyle Arizona Corridor (REAL AZ) was able to bring Moonshot in for the first of two-day workshops in Navajo County on Dec. 1.
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The workshop called Telling Your Business Story was designed to help new and existing business owners learn how to connect their story to their customers, investors and the world.
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Some of the tips and ideas given by Kiersten and Scott Hathcock during the workshop were how to create 15-second hooks to attract customers and investors; understanding the elements of a story and how to use that to connect with buyers and investors; tips for better understanding your story; and tools and resources for crafting your customer’s journey to create customers for life.
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Watson said the same workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 12, at St. Johns City Hall in Apache County. “There will be a series of two workshops in each county that will conclude with our pitch event in the summer, where these individuals or businesses can make their pitch and we will have judging and there will be cash prizes that will be awarded for the best pitches.”
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Beyond the workshops and the pitch event, Watson shared he is hoping to build a network of collaboration for small businesses. “We are hoping to get economic development administration funding to open up a business fostering site that will be centrally located for businesses,” said Watson. “I don’t care if you are starting a business in Joseph City, Holbrook or wherever, you can network with other individuals.”
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For tourism and outdoor experiences, Watson explained, “We have a lot of open space in the county. Most of the people that live or recreate here do it because of the outdoor experiences. If each individual community takes the ball and runs with it, then we have the opportunity to capitalize on the businesses these experiences bring.”
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Watson highlighted the two case studies of Ogden, Utah, and Bend, Ore., produced in the report by Highland Economics. Ogden built an infrastructure for the 2002 Olympics that now includes a river for international kayaking competitions; while Bend is promoting itself as the “outdoor playground of the West”, inviting visitors to ski and recreate in the pristine areas around Bend.
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Watson said that in Ogden, they have now attracted manufacturing related to those activities. “If we can develop the experiences, then we can go after the manufacturers who support those activities.”
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To which, County Manager Glenn Kephart interjected, “If we can attract a certain population, for example, like mountain biking, then we can market to them and create manufacturing for the products they want, the whole process grows on itself.”
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While potash mining and egg farm are not completely out of the question, the reality of when those options will actually develop is something the county has little influence on.
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“We were all excited about the potash potential and then market conditions changed and all of a sudden it was off the table,” said Watson. “Then we were all excited about an egg farm, which is still in the works, but the market condition changed, egg prices dropped, so it is on delay. Long story short, we are going to focus more on how do we develop and foster small businesses, while keeping an open mind to the larger developments.”
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