Issuu

INSIDE THE OCTOBER 2026 ISSUE: Graduate Invests in Downtown p. 3 CCC Building a Future of Opportunity p. 4 Terri O Turns Diagnosis into Mission p. 6

Flagstaff’s Team Snuffed Wins $250,000 in Global Wildfire Challenge

CY MANAGE M EN E RG

FAlL FlavorS

& TRADITIONAL FAVORITES

PUBLIC SAFETY

assembled has taken second place in a global competition that began with some 300 teams. The Flagstaff-based team — the only U.S. team among eight finalists — is being awarded a quarter of Scan for a a million dollars in the XPRIZE Wild- comprehensive list of fire Space-Based Wildfire Detection & our Public Safety needs: H TI N G - E

Continued on page 39

FIG

elieving that when “you get the right people together, you can do magical things,” aerospace

engineer Cody Hartman was convinced Flagstaff had the talent to answer an “audacious challenge.” Turns out, others agree. The 20-member Team Snuffed he

Council Candidates Talk Business p. 18

PublicSafetyBallot.com

E IR

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

04 & P- F4 IRE - POLIC 4 E ONT -

Reinventing Frybread p. 14

0A5IRCRAFT RESCUE F

Local team rises from field of 300 with eyes-in-thesky system designed to detect wildfire starts

PROTECTING LIVES, REDUCING RESPONSE TIMES AND PREPARING FOR TOMORROW.

Atria Chef Serving Up More Dining Options p. 13

8 AWARD-WINNING LOCAL BREWERIES

New Arizona Snowbowl GM Gearing Up for a Big Winter Previously from Florida, Brandon Thom is getting acclimated on the slopes of Arizona’s highest mountain

Looking out over Hart Prairie at Arizona Snowbowl, General Manager Brandon Thom says the move to Flagstaff “feels permanent.” Photo by Bonnie Stevens

October 2026 | Issue 10 Volume 19

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

with Flagstaff and my wife, Alayna, loves Flagstaff, too, without me trying to sell her on it.” Mountain Capital Partners flew the couple to randon Thom needs to go shopping. Flagstaff for a weekend. By Monday morning, Arizona Snowbowl’s new general Thom said, Alayna was sold. “She said, ‘This manager has spent much of his career place is incredible!’ We went from an out-ofin the warmth of Central Florida, building his the-box idea to: I think we found the perfect résumé in the land of theme parks, water rides place!” and cruise ships. Now, at 9,500 feet on the San While interviewing for the job, Thom said Francisco Peaks, he has come to a startling the first question was: Do you ski? Fortunately, realization: Winter is coming. the answer was yes. “Or else," he said, "that And not just any winter. Federal forecasters say there is a greater than 90% chance of a very might have been a very short interview.” Thom’s father put him on skis when he was strong El Niño developing this fall and winter – a weather pattern associated with wetter winters 3, and he grew up skiing at Timberline in Davis, West Virginia. “It was a typical East Coast in the Southwest. mountain – very steep and short. I could fly “I’m looking at my wardrobe and it’s not from top to bottom in 10 minutes.” appropriate. I need new ski equipment and Even as a child, Thom wasn’t only interested new clothes. This is such a big move and it feels permanent,” he said. “I’ve quickly fallen in love

Continued on page 33

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Northland Hospice & Palliative Care

Volunteers Needed

Light-A-Life We are looking for people who have a high dedication to support their community and help us achieve our fundraising goals

WHEN AND WHERE : Nov. 23rd - Dec. 23rd FOR MORE INFORMATION:

@ Flagstaff Mall shift times vary based on day

Contact: Lindsey Gracia 928-779-1227 Lgracia@northlandhospice.org

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Construction for the new parking garage is expected to begin at the end of this month for the planned Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff hotel, depicted in this rendering. Courtesy rendering

Developer Plans $55 Million Downtown Hotel Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff seeks ties to NAU

By Peter Corbett, FBN

evelopment of the Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff hotel is underway at Beaver Street and Birch Avenue. The downtown hotel and an adjacent parking garage will replace Flagstaff’s former City Hall, built in 1951, and what originally was a Valley National Bank east of the old city building. Capri Inc., based in Tucson, is developing the property with an investment of $55 million, according to CEO Jim O’Connell. The city is reviewing Capri’s plans for the garage and hotel, which is slated to open in 2029. Flagstaff Business News reached out to O’Connell with questions about the project, to which he responded in writing. His responses have been edited for brevity.

FBN: WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THE GRADUATE BY HILTON FLAGSTAFF HOTEL DOWNTOWN?

O’Connell: Flagstaff is an incredibly unique market. It combines the energy of a university community with a vibrant historic downtown, year-round tourism, outdoor recreation and a strong sense of local identity. Those characteristics make it an ideal fit for the Graduate by Hilton brand. Graduate hotels are designed to embrace the communities and universities they serve, with each property incorporating elements of the area’s history, culture, traditions and character into the guest experience. An important part of bringing that vision to life is our longtime design partner, Dwellings, a group we have worked with on many of our hotel projects. Their team has spent time in Flagstaff, visited and engaged with the university and worked to understand what makes this community distinctive. Those experiences are being thoughtfully incorporated into the design so the hotel feels authentic to its surroundings.

FBN: HOW WILL THE GRADUATE BY HILTON ENGAGE WITH THE NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY?

O’Connell: The relationship with NAU will be an important part of the hotel’s identity. Graduate properties are intentionally designed around their university communities, incorporating local history, traditions, artwork and school culture throughout the guest experience. We anticipate developing relationships with NAU throughout the year through university and alumni events, campus visits, recruitment activities, athletics, graduation, student and graduate employment opportunities and other programming. Our goal is for students, faculty, alumni, families and local residents to feel that this is their Graduate – a place to gather, celebrate, dine and return to throughout the year.

FBN: DO YOU HAVE A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO BUILD THE FIVE-STORY HOTEL AND FOURAND-A-HALF LEVEL GARAGE?

O’Connell: The project is actively moving forward, with construction of the parking garage expected to start at the end of September. We are targeting Spring 2027 to begin construction of the Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff hotel, with the goal of completing the project in the first quarter of 2029. As with any development of this scale, construction schedules can be influenced by permitting, weather, material availability and other variables. However, this is the timeline we are currently working toward.

FBN: THE FLAGSTAFF MARKET HAS ABOUT 5,500 HOTEL ROOMS. DO YOU EXPECT THERE IS ENOUGH DEMAND TO SUSTAIN YOUR GRADUATE HOTEL IN FLAGSTAFF?

O’Connell: Yes. We believe there is strong demand for the right hotel product in Flagstaff. Market-wide statistics are important, but they Continued on page 37

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Coconino Community College Builds for Future $100 million development plan launches in 2027

By Peter Corbett, FBN

oconino Community College is poised to begin a $100 million construction plan to add a health building to the Lone Tree campus and redevelop its Fourth Street campus. The college, celebrating its 35th anniversary, plans to break ground on a 70,000-square-foot Allied Health Building in late winter or early spring of 2027. Completion is targeted for late 2028 or early 2029, said Eric Heiser, Ph.D., CCC president and CEO. Demolition of the Fourth Street campus, currently housed in a retrofitted 50-year-old shopping center, is set for June, with construction beginning in July, he said. Heiser explained the college’s ambitious building plans during a State of the College luncheon in mid-September sponsored by the CCC Foundation. Community leaders got a look at not-yet-finalized renderings of the new facilities. “It’s going to be chaotic, with lots of dirt flying around here,” Heiser said of the planned construction at the Lone

A preliminary rendering offers a look the 70,000-square-foot Allied Health Building expected to be built in the next two years. Courtesy photo

Coconino Community College President and CEO Eric Heiser, Ph.D., explained the college’s plan to create a health building and redevelop the Fourth Street campus. Photo by Peter Corbett

Tree and Fourth Street campuses. Nearly 60% of Coconino County voters approved the college’s $100 million bond issue last November. The bonds will pay construction costs, but the college will need additional funds to operate new programs. CCC is adding programs for radiology, surgical technicians and respiratory therapy. Workers in those

medical fields are currently in high demand, Heiser said. The college is also adding track teams in the spring semester. To offset new costs, the CCC Foundation has pledged $1 million to launch a $10 million Building Futures campaign. Heiser urged community partners attending the luncheon to help support the college.

“Fitting the budget to our vision is going to be a challenge,” said CCC Board member Nat White, speaking for himself, not the entire board. “We’re going to do every bit the best we can to meet the promises.” White said CCC’s future is bright. “It’s also one with a lot of, I wouldn’t say anxiety, but you know when you have $100 million that the taxpayers

have allocated to us, we’ve got to spend it wisely and effectively.” One key challenge next fall will be finding temporary space for the programs and services housed at the Fourth Street campus after those facilities are demolished. That includes the construction trades program and police academy. Some will move to the Lone Continued on page 34

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OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Terri O Turns Breast Cancer Journey into a Personal Mission Arizona celebrity shares her experience to encourage self-exams, regular mammograms By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

spot on the screen. A biopsy followed, removing a sample of the tissue in question. or three decades, Arizona teleDays later, when her doctor called vision personality Terri Ouelwith the results, she already sensed lette of abc15, fondly known as something was not right. Even Terri O, has been meeting us in our living rooms helping businesses grow, though she was considered low risk, maintained a healthy lifestyle, ate crafting ideas, sharing household sensibly and exercised regularly, the solutions, introducing us to interdiagnosis was stage 1 ductal carcinoesting people and unique places – all ma in situ + HER2 + estrogen-poswith her signature enthusiasm and itive. sunny disposition. But for months, “I was on hormone replacement she kept a difficult secret out of view. therapy prior to the diagnosis and With no symptoms she could I’m estrogen positive, which meant I detect and no known family hiswas literally feeding the cancer. But tory of breast cancer, the Sonoran if you are going to get breast cancer, Living host received a terrifying this is the one to get. It’s less invasive. diagnosis. “I was shocked,” she said. It’s a slow-spreader. Caught early, the “It’s an overwhelming diagnosis prognosis is amazing. I don’t have because all of a sudden you end up the BRCA gene. I don’t have a family with a plethora of appointments and history of breast cancer.” a medical team that you didn’t know The news began a journey she nevyou needed.” er expected to take – a deep dive into In October 2024, after her regular the world of cancer treatment that annual mammogram, technicians included a lumpectomy, reconstrucasked her back for more images before she left the lobby. She saw the Continued on page 32

Terri Ouellette uses her famous voice to amplify breast cancer awareness through patient stories, medical advances, first-hand experience and a serious message for both men and women through abc15’s Check Up AZ initiative. Photo by Bonnie Stevens

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OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Business Woman FBN

of the Month

The Whimsy and Fun of Fiber Local entrepreneur highlights the joy of fiber arts in new yarn shop

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

he story of yarn is ancient, dating back thousands of years. Archaeological discoveries suggest humans were making cordage as far back as the Old Stone Age, making the spinning of fiber into yarn one of civilization’s oldest crafts. Today, yarn remains a vital and colorful ingredient in the fiber arts, delighting crafters with a medley of colors and textures. Kaelin Zielinski of Flagstaff can attest to that. “The yarns come in a range of colors, from the solid, classic rainbow colors, to pastels, to jewel tones, to variegated, to striped, to speckled. There are so many pretty colors in the fiber world.” Zielinski has turned her passion into a new enterprise, Raven’s Nest Yarn & Fiber, a woman-owned store in Continental Plaza on Flagstaff’s east side, off Country Club Drive. The shop, which opened in June, fulfills her dream of creating a hub for Northern Arizona’s fiber arts community. Raven’s Nest supplies a variety of yarns, raw fibers and notions, along with accessories for knitting, crocheting and spinning, including needles, crochet hooks and fiber art books. Depending on their projects, customers can choose from a variety of yarn weights and thicknesses, from “very light lace weight yarn all the

way to bigger chunky weight yarn,” she said. “We have merino wool, 100% wool, and superwash wool, which is wool you can wash in a washing machine. We have cotton yarn and acrylic yarn. We have a good selection of baby alpaca yarn and some other specialty types of yarn.” Thoughtful lighting, soft wall colors and an open layout create a cheerful space for learning, working on projects and connecting with others. Education and community are key parts of Zielinski’s vision for Raven’s Nest. “We offer classes and host community stitch-together events twice a month on the second Sunday and the third Thursday of each month. We are proud to have an open space that is great for working on current projects and anyone is welcome to come in anytime we are open and sit and work on their project or get help.” Above all, the new shop is an expression of Zielinski’s lifelong love of fiber and the fiber arts. That passion began when she was 10 and watched a demonstration at a living history museum in the Northeast on how to spin fiber into yarn. “I even learned to harvest and process fiber from animals I raised, including angora goats. I even spun dog hair into yarn,” Zielinski said. “I love the tactile feel of fiber and the lifecycle from raw fiber to spun yarn, then to a finished product. This is

Raven’s Nest Yarn & Fiber owner Kaelin Zielinski has turned a lifelong passion for knitting, spinning and fiber arts into a colorful gathering place for Northern Arizona crafters. The Flagstaff shop offers yarns, raw fibers, supplies, classes and community stitch-together events. Courtesy photo

how I channel my creative energy, how I show my love for my friends and community, and how I bring whimsy and fun into my world.” Zielinski says she is grateful for the encouragement she has received from Flagstaff and Northern Arizona’s fiber community. “On our opening day, we had 200 people through the doors! The fiber guild, Fiber Artists of Northern Arizona (FANA), has

Raven’s Nest perched at 5200 E. Cortland Blvd., Ste. C2 in Flagstaff this summer, much to the delight of Northern Arizona’s fiber community. The store offers a wide variety of yarns – from delicate to bulky, wool to acrylic, jewel tones to rainbow. Courtesy photos

been super supportive and helpful. And people are still discovering the shop. “There is still much to do, but it feels good so far!” Zielinski moved to Flagstaff with her family in 2015, but her Northern Arizona roots run deep. “I was born and raised in Northern Arizona, the daughter of two park rangers. My dad, Ed Cummins, served the Park Service for 25 years, while my mom, Cathy Alger, was a full-time mom who also worked on special projects such as plant collection and preservation for the National Park Service.” Until she was about 8 years old, her family lived at Tuweep, a remote area on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. “It was just me, my older brother, Eli, and my parents. Looking back, it was a wild way to grow up. We ran around barefoot and I learned how to identify and handle snakes before I learned to look both ways before crossing the street. It was a magical time.” Later, the family chose Flagstaff because of its community, outdoor recreation and proximity to the Grand Canyon.

After exploring a variety of career paths, Zielinski returned to the creative pursuit that had captivated her as a child. “I have been knitting and spinning from the age of 10, and picked up crochet three years ago,” she said. “I personally love taking fiber, known as a roving, spinning it on my spinning wheel and then knitting the yarn into a creation. The slow art of creating something with my hands is what feeds my soul and heart.” Zielinski also sees entrepreneurship as an opportunity for women to lead. “I think it is really important for women to step into leadership roles in the workplace and as business owners. Broadly speaking, I think that the more women who lead and build businesses, the more positive change we can enact.” With Raven’s Nest now part of Flagstaff’s business and fiber arts communities, Zielinski is looking forward to continuing to grow the shop in the place she considers home. “Since moving here, Flagstaff has become home and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” FBN

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Flagstaff Star Party Offers Three Nights of Stargazing Talks, Telescopes and the Dark Sky Quartet

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

s Flagstaff’s cool, crisp fall evenings set the stage for dazzling views of constellations, planets and the Milky Way, the popular Flagstaff Star Party returns Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 1-3, for three nights of free stargazing and dark-sky experiences at Buffalo Park. Activities begin at 6 p.m. with Sunset and Twilight Talks on Thursday and Friday. The Dark Sky Quartet, led by astronomer and musician David Koerner, Ph.D., is scheduled to perform Saturday evening. Each night, visitors can explore the night sky through some 20 telescopes hosted by amateur and professional astronomers until 10 p.m. “Flagstaff’s fall nights are spectacular and this, the world’s most accessible star party, gives everyone a chance to experience them with astronomers who love sharing the night sky,” said Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition Executive Director Danielle Adams, Ph.D. “The event is free, but we encourage guests to reserve tickets through FlagstaffStarParty.org so we can communicate with them if weather conditions become questionable.” Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for Flagstaff’s chilly fall evenings. Hot chocolate and original Flagstaff Star Party sweatshirts will be available for purchase. And free Mountain Line bus rides will be offered to and from Buffalo Park. For times, check the Mountain Line schedule. The Flagstaff Star Party is one of several dark-sky events coming up during fall’s Celebration of the Night, leading to Flagstaff’s Silver Jubilee celebration, Saturday, Oct. 24, marking the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff’s historic designation as the First International Dark Sky City.

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CELEBRATION OF THE NIGHT CONTINUES

Saturday, Sept. 26, is the final day to experience NightVisions: AMBER, an original exhibition at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Also, that day, the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition will offer safe viewing of the sun during Science in the Park, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wheeler Park, as part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science. That Saturday evening, FDSC presents the Harvest Moon Concert at Buffalo Park. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m., with the concert starting at 6:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, although some chairs will be provided. The free program features Koerner and the Dark Sky Quartet performing classical music accompanied by lunar meditations as the Harvest Moon rises. Telescope viewing of the full moon follows the concert. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to consider a suggested donation of $20 to support the event. “It will be a wonderful weekend to experience the combination of art, science, music and dark skies that makes Flagstaff so special,” said Adams. “Visitors can explore NightVisions: AMBER, attend the Flagstaff Festival of Science keynote presentation Friday evening, safely view the sun with us at Wheeler Park on Saturday and experience the Harvest Moon Concert that night.” Throughout 2026, FDSC has been hosting events honoring Flagstaff’s Silver Jubilee. The actual anniversary of the city’s designation as the first International Dark Sky City is Saturday, Oct. 24, which will be celebrated at Northern Arizona University’s Ardrey Auditorium with an evening of music, storytelling and stargazing. FBN

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// “Flagstaff’s fall nights are spectacular and this, the world’s most accessible star party, gives everyone a chance to experience them with astronomers who love sharing the night sky,” said Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition Executive Director Danielle Adams, Ph.D. “The event is free, but we encourage guests to reserve tickets through FlagstaffStarParty.org so we can communicate with them if weather conditions become questionable.” //

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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// COMMUNITY PROFILE // BY V. RONNIE TIERNEY, FBN

Designing a Life in Flagstaff For 33 years, Janet Sweigart has brought persistence, creativity and a personal touch to Northern Arizona interiors

fter 33 years as a full-service interior designer, Janet Sweigart of SweigART Designs believes the difference between failure and success can come down to one thing: persistence. “This is something I often said to my son when he was growing up and now, to my grandchildren,” said Sweigart, whose steadfast and determined nature is evident in her work and work ethic. Sweigart came to Flagstaff from Milwaukee to attend Northern Arizona University, initially planning to study archaeology and ceramics. “My family did a camping trip across the United States when I was in high school. We stopped at Mesa Verde National Park and I fell in love with it and asked the rangers what I had to do to be a ranger there. They told me a degree in archeology would be helpful. Since I’d always been artistic in different mediums, I decided to combine an archeology degree with

ceramics.” At NAU, however, Sweigart changed her major to interior design and fine arts. She also made another lasting decision: to make Flagstaff her home. “I absolutely love Flagstaff,” she said. “Whenever I drive back up the hill from Phoenix and I see the Peaks and the forest of pine trees, I fall in love all over again. I’m a mountain girl. I love the surrounding areas like Sedona and the desert, but I truly love Flagstaff and feel so fortunate to call it home.” Fresh out of NAU, Sweigart worked for William King Design Interiors and later, High Country Styles, where she managed the business for five years and served as its interior designer. In 1993, she launched SweigART Designs. Since then, her work has touched a wide range of commercial and residential spaces throughout the Continued on page 36

SweigART Designs owner Janet Sweigart has spent 33 years helping Northern Arizona homeowners and businesses create spaces they can enjoy and feel good about. She says she is grateful for the strong relationships with clients, who allowed her to build a career in the Flagstaff community she loves. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Outcomes by HOPCo

Advanced Joint Reconstruction at Northern Arizona Orthopaedics Restoring Motion in Northern Arizona This October, during Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month, Northern Arizona Orthopaedics (NAO) and Dr. Yuri Lewicky want patients across the region to know that lasting relief from joint pain is available close to home. Dr. Lewicky is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in adult joint reconstruction of the shoulder and knee. Ideal for patients living with chronic joint pain, arthritis, or the effects of long-term wear, joint reconstruction can help restore mobility and function so patients can return to daily activities with less pain. “Joint health is something people often take for granted until it starts to limit their lives,” says Dr. Lewicky, adult joint reconstruction and sports medicine specialist at NAO. “Our goal is to help patients move better and feel better, long term.” Northern Arizona Orthopaedics With locations in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, & the White Mountains, NAO provides comprehensive orthopedic care with over 50 years of trusted experience.

Dr. Yuri Lewicky at Northern Arizona Orthopaedics (NAO)

Learn more at northazortho.com or call us at 928.226.2900

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

Take a Moment for Inspiration: Escape to the Bright Side

n an age when nearly any book can arrive on our doorstep with the click of a button or show up electronically within seconds on our tablets, Bright Side Bookshop offers something more human, something that can’t be delivered in a box or to our phone: a gathering place. Flagstaff’s only locally owned bookshop, at 18 N. San Francisco St. in the heart of downtown, is part retailer, part community hub, part inspirational retreat. Bright Side brings people together through books, visiting authors, children’s programs, partnerships and events. The store itself has a gentle way of drawing us in and making time disappear. They even carry beautiful notecards! When was the last time you wrote a letter with an actual pen on actual paper? Bright Side also contributes to the character and vitality of our historic downtown business district, giving residents and visitors another reason to linger, browse, be amused or inspired, smile and laugh out loud. Beyond that, it is just steps away from more to

discover, including neighboring restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Bookshop owners Annette Avery and Lisa Lamberson created the Bright Side environment as a meaningful place where people want to gather. And they have succeeded at a time when independent booksellers face enormous competition for our attention and our dollars. “As Flagstaff’s only locally owned bookshop, we’re much more than a place to buy a book,” says Lisa. “We believe books bring people together – for connection, community and good conversation. We host visiting authors, curate bookish events, partner with local non-profits and welcome families for children’s storytimes. Each holiday season, our book drives help put books in the hands of local readers who need them.” One example of that community-building role comes Sunday, Oct. 25, when Bright Side hosts “An Evening of Tips for High-Altitude Achievement,” a free conversation inspired by the book “Precipice of Power: A Woman’s Guide

to High Altitude Achievement.” The panel features women who have reached impressive heights in very different ways. Alaska Airlines Capt. Kathleen Delany of Prescott has built a career in the cockpit as one of a small percentage of female airline pilots. Pioneering Arizona television news anchor Mary Jo West found her voice in the male-dominated newsrooms of the 1970s, then opened doors and made space for other women in broadcast journalism. Flagstaff’s Cindy May, founder of Cindy May Marketing, continues to demonstrate the magic of a positive attitude. She learned to lead by turning what some considered a disability into a valuable skill and built a career helping executives and organizations secure critical funding for charitable causes. Northern Arizona also knows Chef Laura Chamberlin, a behind-the-scenes partner who helped build Flagstaff’s foodie reputation, first with Brix and now with Culinary Concepts Southwest. Her background as a river runner

Celebrate the

WORLD’S

FIRST DARK SKY CITY 25TH ANNIVERSARY discoverflagstaff.com

helped her find her niche, serving great food in off-the-grid, out-of-the-way places. Sedona’s Anita Marcus has built a med-spa empire across Northern Arizona, LaserGirl Skin Care, after fleeing a thought-control organization. And Janie Ross, a pilot, clinical behavioral therapist and COO of ATS Aero Systems, is helping lead the development of the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. All of these women encountered

enough adversity during their climb to make them consider stopping or giving up. But they didn’t. And that’s what most people don’t know when they meet these remarkable forces of nature. That’s also what I hope women of all ages will come to hear: the stories behind the achievements, the obstacles that nearly stopped these women and what kept them climbing. My hope is that others will leave inspired to push through whatever tries to stand in their

Flagstaff Star Party October 1-3 Buffalo Park Enjoy observing the night sky through telescopes, family activities and guest speakers

Celebration of the Night September-October

Locations throughout Flagstaff Enjoy presentations and night-sky activations

25th Anniversary Celebration October 24

Northern AZ University Ardrey Auditorium Celebrate Flagstaff’s 2001 designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City

Continued on page 35

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

OneAZ Picks Up the Tab in Flagstaff

lagstaff coffee lovers received a treat Wednesday, Aug. 26, when OneAZ Credit Union picked up the tab at Chocolita Chocolate Cafe as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. OneAZ covered customers’ coffee orders while local branch managers greeted guests and shared information about the credit union’s growing presence and community involvement in Flagstaff. The gesture was part of a milestone year for OneAZ, which was founded in 1951 and is celebrating 75 years of serving Arizonans. The credit union has two Flagstaff branches and has served the community since 1970. The anniversary celebration also has included significant investments in Arizona nonprofits. OneAZ launched the year with $750,000 in Legacy Grants awarded to five organizations focused on developing future leaders and advancing economic empowerment. In May, the OneAZ Community Foundation awarded another $360,000 through its Community Impact Grant program to 48 nonprofits statewide. Northern Arizona received 17 of those grants, totaling $127,500. Recipients included Grand Canyon Youth, Museum of Northern Arizona, Moonshot, Northland Family Help Center and Tynkertopia. Founded in 2016, the OneAZ Community Foundation has invested more than $3.5 million in Arizona nonprofit organizations. FBN

Picking up on the buzz, locals stopped in for a celebratory cup of coffee at Chocolita Café for OneAZ Credit Union’s 75th anniversary. Courtesy photos

PROTECTING LIVES, REDUCING RESPONSE TIMES AND PREPARING FOR TOMORROW.

Did you know? Prop 404 would increase the local sales tax by 0.5% to enhance public safety services.

Prop 405 would authorize a $40M bond to invest in public safety infrastructure and equipment.

Local firefighters must respond to wildfires, structural fires, and medical emergencies. The number of firefighters and paramedics on staff to meet this multi-tasking improves response times.

Scan for a comprehensive list of our public safety needs:

PublicSafetyBallot.com

Blake Armstrong, Flagstaff Firefighter and Paramedic, protecting you since 2022

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews NORTHERN ARIZONA'S FOOD SCENE

NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

FOOD SCENE Flagstaff Chef Has a Full Plate, From MICHELIN Recognition to Two New Restaurants

Mary Parra, FBN

cclaimed Flagstaff Chef and Restaurateur Rochelle Daniel has a lot to celebrate this season. First, her popular fine-dining restaurant Atria in historic downtown made Arizona history by being named a MICHELIN Guide Recommended restaurant for the inaugural 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest. Atria is one of 12 Arizona restaurants to earn the designation and the only one outside metro Phoenix. Daniel, already a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, received the surprise MICHELIN designation during an invitation-only ceremony in Las Vegas honoring restaurants in the Southwest, including Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. “This recognition means a great deal to me. Atria has a commitment to excellence and a passion that fills our work,” said Daniel. “Fine dining is hard to find in Flagstaff, and even though we’re in a college town, we continue evolving and improving to uphold the highest standards. I’m proud to be part of history for Arizona.” Just as exciting, Chef Daniel is starting to fulfill her dream of establishing the downtown area as the culinary heart of Northern Arizona and is in the midst of opening two more restaurants. Each restaurant will have a different vibe, filling the void that she says

Rochelle Daniel pursues her dream of making downtown Flagstaff the culinary heart of Northern Arizona. Her popular Atria on Leroux Street is a MICHELLIN Guide recommended restaurant. Courtesy photos

Flagstaff residents have been craving. Daniel says during the five years Atria has been open, she has developed a customer base and learned what food her guests are missing in town. That prompted her to want to open the all-day French bistro and bakery, Pompette,

next door to Atria. Daniel’s goal is to bring the warmth of classic French food to the high desert, while offering a welcoming atmosphere designed for long, leisurely meals and spontaneous stops. The daily menu will include French classics such as steak frites, mussels, tartare, coq au vin and meats

prepared on a custom open-fire hearth, with fresh-baked pastries and artisan breads created under the direction of Pastry Chef Alicia Motter. Pompette’s custom-tiled floors, rich wood tones and playful floral touches are designed to add to the atmosphere. Continued on page 15

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com NORTHERN ARIZONA'S FOOD SCENE

FryMex Puts a Fresh Twist on Frybread Erin and Josh Lucero blend Southwestern flavors, family roots and culinary creativity By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

FryMex. Working as a deli manager was much like managing a restaurant.” new twist on an old staple is More than just a place to eat, the taking frybread to a whole new level of flavor, with savory and couple says FryMex is about bringing people together. “We’re passionate sweet toppings and a colorful blend about serving our community, supof the Southwest. porting local businesses and creating FryMex, which originated as a a welcoming place where everyone food truck, is now also a brick-andfeels at home,” said Josh. mortar restaurant, and owners Erin Josh was born in Las Vegas and and Josh Lucero say they are living moved to Flagstaff when he was 5. their culinary dream. “We love food At age 17, he moved to Alamogordo, and wanted to bring a fresh, modern twist to frybread by combining it with New Mexico, where he lived for two bold Southwestern flavors made with years. His background is in restaurant and construction work. premium ingredients and made-to“I’ve always had culinary inspiraorder quality,” said Erin. “We also wanted to honor our Northern Arizo- tion in my roots and I love to cook; it’s a big part of me. At one time I na and New Mexico roots.” “Every detail matters to us, and we worked with Native Americans and learned to love their cuisine. To bring wanted to create an experience that their food together with Southwestpeople will remember,” said Josh. ern cooking has always been a dream Erin, who was born and raised of mine, and now it’s come to life.” in Flagstaff, says her love for food While searching for a location to started at the Route 66 Dog Haus. “I worked there for a long time and then open FryMex, a mutual friend introduced the Luceros to Kyle McCain, moved to Safeway, where I worked as deli manager for almost 10 years. I owner of PuttTek, who had space at believe that everything has a purpose his eastside business. “It was the perand I’ve brought a lot of experience to fect match,” said Josh. “The Flagstaff

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY ARIZONA

community has taken advantage of group meetings and events here that include a game of miniature golf and a meal.” “We are thrilled to partner with Erin and Josh to bring FryMex to PuttTek,” said McCain. “Growing up in Southeastern Arizona, I’ve loved fry bread since childhood, and my family and I are obsessed with the food at FryMex. They have an incredible take on New Mexican cuisine using frybread, not only as a delicious entrée option but also across multiple dessert items.” He says working with Josh and Erin has been a joy. “Their positive attitude and true spirit of helpfulness make this partnership a natural fit as our businesses grow together.” FryMex line cook Caleb Pulley says he feels like he is part of something big. “I just love it here and the business is run well,” he said. “They do not cut corners and Josh and Erin treat their employees like family. They are sticklers about cleanliness and customers are always raving about the food. Along with the frybread entrees, The Walking Tacos

Blending Native and Mexican cuisine, Josh and Erin Lucero have made frybread the foundation for both desserts and entrees. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

are also very popular.” Another FryMex local favorite is the FryBread Taco with ground Wagyu beef. “We just added New Mexican Green Chili pork as a protein to our FryBread Taco as well,” said Erin. Outside their food business, Josh and Erin are busy with five children, ages 1 to 15. “We’re building an expe-

rience not just in Flagstaff, but within the community that made us who we are today,” said Josh. FBN The restaurant is located inside PuttTek at 3126 East Route 66. The FryMex food truck is used for catering and private events. For more information, go to frymex. com or call 928-707-3453.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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NORTHERN ARIZONA'S FOOD SCENE

Serving a Slice of Route 66 in Parks Veronica and Paul Hausmann are saving a piece of history with classic foods

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

ust seconds off Interstate 40, The Old Route 66 Parks Store offers a colorful trip back in time. The turquoise building, accented by the 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook parked out front, sets the nostalgic tone. Inside, lively conversations fill the air, along with the aroma of burgers and other favorites sizzling on the grill. Shelves hold locally baked goods, while a refrigerated case offers cold drinks. But beyond the food and 1950s flair is a building with a history stretching back 120 years – and a Flagstaff couple determined to preserve it. Built as a general store around 1906, the building predates Route 66 by two decades and served the tiny community then known as Maine. By the 1920s, it was operating as a grocery store and filling station for travelers along the National Old Trails Highway, which became part of Route 66 in 1926. “I had a vision I couldn’t let go of,” said Veronica Hausmann, who owns the business with her husband, Paul. “The store was for sale for months. People would commit to buying it and then the buyer would back out. One day I told my husband we should put in a bid and see what happens. He wasn’t fond of the idea and even thought I was crazy, but I told him we had to save this old building before someone buys it and tears it down.” The couple submitted a plan to revive the store with a 1950s theme.

Paul Hausmann works the grill at The Old Route 66 Parks Store. He and Veronica display their 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook in front of the store, adding to its Route 66 theme. Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Veronica, who has a passion for old buildings and history, said the owners “loved the idea.” “When my wife approached me about buying the store I thought she was nuts,” said Paul. “I have gone to that store since I was a kid and not once in my life did I ever consider owning it. I had just retired from the military and was looking forward to enjoying life. But when my wife sets her mind to doing something, there is no changing her mind. So, here we are and it’s been a lot of work, but we are blessed with great friends and family that want to see us succeed.” Today, the store attracts locals as well as travelers coming off Interstate 40 and historic Route 66. Customers can choose from a menu that includes double cheeseburgers, customized

pizzas, Philly cheesesteaks, turkey clubs, French dips and other favorites. Parks resident David Beckerleg says his favorite is the Reuben. “Great flavor and just the right portions of meat, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut grilled to perfection and served with a big smile.” Pete Asmus of Parks has another favorite. “The Breakfast Burrito was so good and is enough for two people,” he said. Asmus also points to the soft-serve ice cream, which comes in unusual flavors such as blueberry cheesecake, key lime pie, peanut butter and strawberry shortcake. “I love this store and the owners do whatever they can to make something new and fresh, which is exactly what this community needs,” he added. “They are local and they really care.

They turned around a failing business that no one wanted and turned it into a gem. I like to go have a meal and just hang out.” Creating a place where people want to linger has become part of the Hausmanns’ vision for the historic store. Once a month, they sponsor a Community Market, providing an opportunity for local artisans to sell baked goods and other products. During the summer, they host movie nights, inviting residents to bring blankets or lawn chairs and settle in for an evening together. “We also support Little League and we sponsor a clothing donation before school starts where clothes can be swapped. We also have a toy drive,” said Veronica. For Paul and Veronica, the connec-

ATRIA continued from page 13

“It’s been a fun experience for me because I’ve been able to pick out all the details of the restaurant and the design down to the lights and color. I’m designing my dream kitchen, which is cool.” Opening downstairs from Pompette and Atria will be Little Rich Girl, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar and lounge. Renovating a 100-yearold building, Daniel is staying true to the time period and keeping the original flooring but adding deep velvet and dark wood paneling for what she says will be “a cool, sexy bar that Flagstaff doesn’t have.” “It will be a place that carries a spirit of what happened beneath the streets, with a creative menu that elevates bar bites and pushes flavor without losing the craft.” Daniel says she is adventurous and is looking forward to expanding Flagstaff’s palate while also offering a unique experience. Dishes will include smoked fish, ribs or lamb

Left: The Atria setting is contemporary, airy and sophisticated without feeling overly formal. A full-service bar and a chef’s table overlook the open kitchen. Right: Pompette brings French flair to Flagstaff with dishes including poulet rôti, grilled Wagyu skewers and dressed-up tots. Courtesy photos

shoulder and something extra tasty. “You can order a large cinnamon roll with tableside icing, meaning we will ice it at the table until you say stop,” she explained. “I want customers to forget about the outside and

experience being in the moment and enjoying time with whomever they’re with. Forget about their phone, work, everything, and immerse themselves in experience. I want to put on a show.” FBN

Pompette and Little Rich Girl, both located at 101 N. Leroux Street, are expected to open later this month or early November.

tion to Parks goes back much further than owning the store. Both are Flagstaff natives. And now, they are raising their four boys in Northern Arizona, ages 11 to 20, while putting their own stamp on a place that has served generations of residents and travelers. When they can step away from the business, Paul and Veronica enjoy taking their family and their boat to Lake Powell. “We hope that no matter what happens in the future, the community appreciates what we have done here and hope to continue to do here for years to come,” said Paul. FBN The Old Route 66 Parks Store is located at 12963 Old Route 66, 19 miles west of Flagstaff. For more information, visit oldroute66parksstore.com or call 928-635-9226.

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com NORTHERN ARIZONA'S FOOD SCENE

Good Food Forum Serves Up Arizona Connections

By Stan Bindell, FBN

ood producers, farmers, ranchers and community leaders from across Arizona gathered at Yavapai College in Prescott for the Good Food Forum on Tuesday, Aug. 25, discussing topics such as sustainable ranching, Arizona wine, local sourcing, gardening and food distribution. Hosted by Local First Arizona and The Eatery at Yavapai College, the forum was designed to strengthen connections among people working throughout Arizona’s food systems while giving participants a chance to learn from successful programs around the state. Rebecca Serratos, sustainability project manager at The Eatery, said the partnership with Local First Arizona was intended to deepen those connections. “It’s a good forum for everyone to showcase their programs with food,” she said. Tristan Kitch, resilient food director for Local First Arizona, helped coordinate the event. “This gives small-scale providers and farmers a chance to share their programs while learning about other programs.” Participants also discussed one of the realities of farming in a state with

dramatically different climates and growing seasons. Produce available in one region may be out of season in another, creating opportunities for growers and distributors to work together to move Arizona-grown food around the state. Kaolin Randall with Prescott Farmers Market praised the forum for bringing many aspects of Arizona’s food industry together. “There was something for everybody and it was a great way for people to connect.” One session highlighted food programs on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, where community leaders are expanding gardening, education and access to locally grown foods. Economic Development Specialist Kodee Goseyan said the tribe has created a subcommittee on food sovereignty as part of its effort to strengthen its local food system. “We want to make sure that our people have access to food, especially for our elders and children,” she said, noting the importance of local food production and sharing knowledge about growing food. “We have started, but it’s an ongoing process. That’s why we are here today to listen and to collaborate.” Eric Shinn, director of the nonprofit NEC on San Carlos, described efforts

to encourage gardening and teach residents how to grow their own produce. “We prioritized teaching gardening,” he said, adding that the results sometimes exceeded expectations – like when the watermelons grew so large that people had trouble carrying them. “It wasn’t just the amount of food; it was quality food,” he said. Gardening classes have continued to grow in popularity and organizers have been looking at ways to strengthen the entire system, from planting and harvesting to getting fresh food where it needs to go. The San Carlos program also has developed a calendar showing which foods to plant during different times of the year, along with a database and books about culturally relevant foods. Botanist Seth Pilsk, who has worked with San Carlos elders for 35 years, said traditional knowledge provides important lessons about the relationships among food, plants, animals and the environment. San Carlos elder Twyla Cassadore agreed. “I love teaching about traditional culture,” she said. Representatives of the San Xavier Cooperative Farm on the Tohono O’odham Nation also attended the forum. They shared their experience while gathering ideas to take home. Facilities Operations Manager Deron

Kodee Goseyan and Twyla Cassadore discussed the importance of passing traditional knowledge about food and growing practices from one generation to the next. “I love teaching about traditional culture,” said Cassadore. Photo by Stan Bindell

Lopez and Catering Assistant Page Antone discussed the cooperative farm, which encompasses about 10,000 acres with 89 fields and has operated for about 80 years. The farm grows crops including alfalfa and Sudan grass for livestock and employs about 60 people. “We are here to learn everything we can and

take it back to our team,” Lopez said. That spirit of sharing captured the larger purpose of the Good Food Forum: bringing together people from different regions and different parts of the food industry to exchange ideas, build relationships and find new ways to strengthen Arizona’s food network. FBN

Radio and the Northern Arizona Food Scene: Building Local Visibility

By Mike Jensen

orthern Arizona has a food scene all its own. From local restaurants and coffee shops to breweries, wineries, food trucks and longtime community favorites, dining is about more than just what is on the menu. It is about experience, reputation and being part of the community. That is why radio can be such a strong marketing tool for local restaurants and food businesses. People may search online for where to eat, but many dining decisions are made in the moment. They happen while driving home from work, heading out for the weekend or deciding where to meet friends and family. Radio reaches people during those moments and keeps a restaurant’s name, food and personality top of mind. Digital advertising can certainly help, but it is often crowded and easy to scroll past. Radio creates repetition and familiarity. When listeners regularly hear about a restaurant, its signature dishes, happy hour, weekend specials or upcoming events, that business begins to feel familiar. Familiarity can turn into curiosity, and curiosity can turn into a visit.

Radio also gives restaurants the opportunity to tell their story. A commercial does not have to be just a list of menu items. It can highlight locally sourced ingredients, a family-owned history, a great patio, live music, a new seasonal menu or the atmosphere that makes the restaurant different from everyone else. The strongest campaigns usually focus on one clear reason to visit. Maybe it is the best burger in town, authentic local flavor, a great datenight destination, family dining, craft cocktails or the perfect place to watch the game. Keeping the message simple and consistent makes it easier for

listeners to remember. Community involvement can make that message even stronger. Sponsoring local events, weather, entertainment features or community programming connects a restaurant with the people and places Northern Arizona residents already care about. It shows that the business is not just located here, it is part of the community. The restaurant business will always have busy seasons and slower seasons. Tourism changes, weather changes and consumer spending changes. Staying visible through those ups and downs helps keep a restaurant in the

conversation when people are deciding where to go next. In the Northern Arizona food scene, people often return to the places they know, trust and enjoy recommending to others. Radio helps restaurants build that familiarity. For local restaurants, breweries, wineries and food businesses, radio is more than a place to advertise. It is a platform for building awareness, creating appetite and becoming one of the names Northern Arizona thinks of when it is time to eat, drink and get together. FBN

Mike Jensen is the general manager at Yavapai Broadcasting in Central and Northern Arizona, overseeing stations 95.9 KKLD, 105.7 KVRD, 100.1 KVNA, 96.3 KYBC, and ESPN Radio 104.7 in Flagstaff. With more than 25 years of experience in media broadcasting and advertising across the country, Mike is passionate about helping businesses grow through impactful radio advertising and digital marketing. He focuses on delivering results, boosting brand visibility and building strong, lasting partnerships for success.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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NORTHERN ARIZONA’S

FOOD SCENE Celebrating the chefs, restaurants and local flavors that keep us coming back for more Northern Arizona has become a destination for food lovers, with talented chefs, memorable restaurants and locally sourced flavors adding to the character of our communities.

In the October, November and December issues of Flagstaff Business News, we’ll take readers inside Northern Arizona’s vibrant food scene. We’ll introduce you to the chefs creating inspired cuisine, explore exciting new restaurants and revisit longtime favorites that keep us coming back for more. Along the way, we’ll discover unique roadside cafés, highlight locally sourced foods and the businesses behind them, and serve up some of the people, places and flavors that make dining in Northern Arizona an experience worth traveling for. Be part of the foodie connection this fall with Flagstaff Business News! Advertising Options

Participate with a three-month commitment with a Half or Quarter page color ad. As part of this package, you also can submit a 400600 word, non-sales, educational article on your field of expertise.

To advertise, please call:

Quarter 4.875 X 6 Half-Horizontal 10 X 6

Half Page Investment = $1800 per quarter Quarter Page Investment = $1200 per quarter

Linda Thein, Advertising Manager 602 | 799 | 0583 Linda@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Regina Salas, Advertising and Marketing Revitalizer 928 | 699 | 4272 Regina@flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Getting to Know the Candidates

lagstaff Business News has asked each of the Flagstaff City Council candidates to answer questions focused on governance, fiscal stewardship and economic vitality. These questions, developed through conversations with small business owners and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, explore the experience candidates bring to overseeing a more than $600 million municipal budget, their priorities for public spending and their approach to affordability, housing, business growth and long-term leadership. We hope these responses help readers better understand how each candidate thinks about the practical challenges of governing Flagstaff and the decisions that will shape the city's economic future and quality of life.

Austin Aslan

Nancy Baca

Patty Hansen

Khara House

Lori Matthews

One Mayor, Two Propositions, Three City Council Seats Flagstaff voters face important decisions in the general election

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN

he Nov. 3, 2026, general election will be a critical one for Flagstaff. Voters will elect one mayor, three City Councilmembers and decide the fate of Propositions 404 and 405. Prop. 404 proposes a 0.5% transaction privilege tax for 15 years for public safety, while Prop. 405 asks voters to authorize $40 million in general obligation bonds for public safety infrastructure and equipment. While Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett is running unopposed, five candidates are vying for three City Council seats. To understand more about how each would approach the position, we have asked them to discuss their views regarding economic vitality, housing, growth and land use and leadership. Answers from candidates Austin Aslan, Nancy Baca, Patty Hansen, Khara House, and Lori Matthews are stated below in alphabetical order. Aslan, House and Matthews are incumbents.

1. ECONOMIC VITALITY

Q: FBN What specific steps would you take to strengthen Flagstaff’s business climate, improve the permitting process and use available economic data, including the NAU minimum wage study, to support local businesses and workers?

and workers can afford to live here isn’t a contradiction. It’s the goal.

A: NANCY BACA

My career in economic development gives me firsthand experience in strengthening local economies. I would focus on making Flagstaff’s permitting process more predictable, timely and understandable. Businesses should know what is required, how A: AUSTIN ASLAN long the process is expected to take Our city government must be predictable, responsive and easy to do and where they are in that process. business with. I’ll continue improving I would look for opportunities to improve coordination between depermitting by identifying unnecessary delays, simplifying requirements partments and eliminate unnecessary delays. I would also make greater use where possible and giving appliof reliable economic data when develcants clearer expectations upfront. oping policy. My approach would be I also believe we should use the best practical and balanced: support workavailable local data when making ers, encourage local businesses and economic policy. But data should inform policy, not substitute for judg- make decisions based on evidence ment. We should listen to employers, rather than assumptions or emotions. As someone directly involved in the workers and small businesses and minimum wage study, I stand by the evaluate what is actually happenfindings. The impact to Flagstaff has ing on the ground. Flagstaff should been mixed but the costs are clear. compete on the things that make us distinctive: our quality of life, educated workforce, outdoor economy, dark A: PATTY HANSEN skies and proximity to public lands. A strong business climate requires And I don’t accept the premise that a a city that is responsive, predictstrong business climate requires low able and willing to listen to both wages. Businesses need a workforce businesses and workers. I would that can afford to live here. A healthy work to streamline the permitting economy requires both. A business process, reduce unnecessary delays, climate where employers can succeed and improve communication so

businesses know what to expect and why. I would also support regular conversations with local businesses, particularly small and locally owned businesses, to understand the challenges they face and identify practical solutions. I think the voters voted for the minimum wage ballot proposition to raise wages of our lowest paid workers, which the NAU study supports it having done.

local data with thoughtful process review is just one way to strengthen our business climate while supporting our essential workforce.

A: LORI MATTHEWS

The most direct support I can provide is keeping the city’s budgets tight so property taxes, utility rates and fees do not rise further as wages adjust. Drawing on my financial background, I will continue being the voice of reason on rate and tax proA: KHARA HOUSE posals as I did with stormwater and I think economic policy should be informed by good local data. Utilizing the proposed water/sewer increases that led to special meetings and better NAU’s minimum wage analysis can outcomes for businesses. I will push help us better understand impacts to to streamline the permitting process workers, employers, prices, employment and the broader local economy. with clear timelines and less red tape so local businesses can open and exBecause no single study should drive pand faster. I will also use economic policy in isolation, we should pair data including NAU Economic Policy this research with additional local studies, data from the Economic Col- Institute's minimum-wage study that laborative of Northern Arizona, other examined impacts across all of Coconino County, which found mixed current economic indicators and dieffects, including wage gains in some rect engagement with workers, small sectors but roughly 4,000 fewer jobs businesses, major employers and overall and particular pressure on community partners. I’d like to see us focus on making it easier for busi- construction and manufacturing, to guide practical policies that support nesses to understand and navigate both workers and the businesses that city processes, including permitting employ them. requirements, predictable timelines, coordination across city departments and ongoing communication when an application may face delays or additional requirements. Pairing diverse

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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2. HOUSING, GROWTH AND LAND USE

Q: FBN How would you expand workforce housing, encourage responsible commercial development and implement the Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan while protecting the qualities that make Flagstaff unique?

A: AUSTIN ASLAN

We need to build more missing-middle housing that people can actually afford, including workforce housing on city-owned land. I support appropriate density, reducing construction costs, removing unnecessary parking minimums and standardizing development fees. For commercial development, we should provide clearer rules and a more predictable process while directing growth toward places where infrastructure can support it. The Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan gives us a framework for doing that regionally rather than treating every development decision in isolation. But growth has consequences. Water, wildfire, transportation, housing and climate resilience all have to be considered together. Flagstaff’s unique character isn’t preserved by refusing to change. It is preserved by being intentional about how we change. We need to anticipate demand rather than react to it after our infrastructure and housing supply are already overwhelmed.

addresses demonstrated community needs while protecting Flagstaff’s character, environment and quality of life.

A: PATTY HANSEN

Flagstaff needs more housing that working people can afford while ensuring growth is thoughtful and compatible with our community. I would support policies that encourage a range of housing types and prices, including starter homes, townhomes and appropriately located multifamily housing. Commercial development should strengthen our local economy without sacrificing the character, environment and quality of life that make Flagstaff unique. I would support development in areas where infrastructure can accommodate it and where it provides meaningful community benefits. The Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan provides a framework for managing growth across our region. I would work with regional partners and residents to coordinate growth with transportation, water, infrastructure, wildfire risk and environmental considerations. Growth should not be about simply building more. It should be about building the right housing and businesses in the right places while protecting what makes Flagstaff special.

A: KHARA HOUSE

I have always supported approaching these goals together rather than as competing priorities. Expanding workforce housing means using the A: NANCY BACA tools available to the city to support Rising housing costs are putting more housing choices, pursue pubpressure on families, young people, lic-private and regional partnerships, seniors and working residents. I and encourage development in places would support responsible development that expands workforce housing where existing infrastructure and services can support it. Responsible and economic opportunity while commercial development should considering water, infrastructure, transportation and compatibility with follow that same principle: our goal should be growth that contributes to surrounding land uses. Home ownthe community, strengthens our local ership is the greatest tool in buildeconomy and plans with attention ing personal wealth and financial to water, transit, infrastructure, security. Commercial development neighborhood impacts and long-term should be evaluated on its economic benefits, infrastructure demands and costs. The Regional Plan gives us an important framework to make these long-term fit with the community. decisions consistently. ImplementaI would use the Flagstaff Regional tion should reflect all of Flagstaff’s Land Use Plan as a framework for making thoughtful growth decisions. needs and values, with equal conGrowth and preservation do not have sideration of our housing, economic to be opposing goals, but they require opportunity, natural environment, distinctive neighborhoods, dark skies, careful planning and good data. My goal is to encourage development that open spaces, and sense of place. Tak-

ing all these things into consideration requires innovative public-private partnerships across community needs to take a holistic approach to growth, development and sustaining our community.

A: LORI MATTHEWS

I will continue fighting for expanding workforce housing through streamlined processes, zoning flexibility, ADU [accessory dwelling unit] incentives, targeted density near jobs and transit, and other practical workforce-housing tools while protecting neighborhood character and open space. I will continue to encourage commercial development that fits Flagstaff’s scale and natural setting for example, prioritize adaptive reuse of existing buildings and neighborhood-serving retail with demonstrated demand so we avoid empty storefronts and support local businesses rather than speculative projects. Implementation of the Regional Land Use Plan must prioritize water supply, wildfire risk and community character so growth strengthens rather than erodes what makes Flagstaff unique. Having founded and run ANEW Living, which achieved an 85% success rate rending homelessness along with my ongoing council advocacy, I bring both the urgency of the challenge and proven, practical path forward.

3. LEADERSHIP

Q: FBN Looking ahead to 2027, what is the single most important action you would take to strengthen Flagstaff’s economy, improve public safety or enhance residents’ quality of life and why?

A: AUSTIN ASLAN

The single most important thing I would do is make Flagstaff better at seeing around corners. Too often, government becomes reactive: we wait until housing is unaffordable, infrastructure is failing, wildfire risk has increased or a changing climate has already disrupted our economy, and then ask what we can do. I want us to finish the work we have already identified—particularly the Carbon Neutrality Plan and Rio de Flag Flood Control Project—while preparing for the pressures we know are coming. Climate change, housing demand, water constraints and wildfire risk

aren’t separate problems. They are interconnected economic issues that will determine whether people can afford to live here and whether businesses can thrive here. Good leadership means making difficult investments before they become emergencies. That is the kind of long-term thinking I have brought to Council since 2018, and it is what I will bring to another term.

A: NANCY BACA

Looking ahead to 2027, my most important action would be strengthening the foundation of Flagstaff by focusing on core services, infrastructure and affordability. Safe neighborhoods, reliable roads, water and transportation systems, efficient city services and economic opportunity all contribute to quality of life. My economic development experience has taught me that strong communities require sound financial management and thoughtful long-term planning. I would ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, transparently and with clear, measurable outcomes. Because Flagstaff is my home, I have a personal stake in its future. My goal is to help keep Flagstaff strong, affordable and resilient for the next generation.

A: PATTY HANSEN

From now through 2027, I would make increasing the supply of attainable housing my highest priority. Housing costs are one of the greatest challenges facing Flagstaff residents, and the lack of housing that working people can afford also affects our ability to attract and retain employees and support local businesses. I would work to remove unnecessary barriers and costs to building starter homes, townhomes and other attainable housing, while ensuring new development is appropriately located and supported by infrastructure. I would also review city policies and regulations that may be adding unnecessary costs to housing. By 2027, I want to see Flagstaff making measurable progress toward increasing the supply of housing that working people can afford. This would strengthen our economy, improve quality of life and help more people who work here afford to live here.

A: KHARA HOUSE

For me, quality of life is not a sep-

arate issue from economic vitality or public safety. When people can afford to live here, access care, participate in the workforce and feel supported in their community, Flagstaff can be a healthier, safer and more economically resilient community. I would prioritize strengthening Flagstaff’s behavioral health and community support systems as part of a broader quality of life strategy, because behavioral health is so closely connected to housing stability, workforce participation, public safety, economic security and our ability to thrive as a community. Flagstaff has the opportunity to lead in a state that’s known as a behavioral health desert by continuing to build partnerships among the city, county, healthcare and behavioral health providers, first responders, employers, housing organizations and people with lived experience. This also means supporting our public safety teams’ trauma-informed focus on prevention, crisis care and beyond.

A: LORI MATTHEWS

Looking ahead to 2027, the single most important action I will take is accelerating practical workforce housing supply through regulatory reform and targeted incentives. High housing costs are driving workers out of Flagstaff, straining local businesses that cannot find or retain employees and undermine public safety recruitment as police and firefighters struggle to live in the community they serve. By expanding the housing supply through tools such as ADU’s, streamlining permitting and workforce housing incentives we address this foundational pressure without large new city spending. Solving it simultaneously strengthens the local economy, improves first responder staffing and retention and raises quality of life for the majority of residents who simply want to live and work here. My record of delivering measurable fiscal results on Council and focusing relentlessly on affordability demonstrates that I will continue to turn this priority into concrete, measurable progress in 2027. FBN In September’s FBN, candidates were asked about their qualifications for the job, budget priorities and Flagstaff’s affordability. Find their answers at flagstaffbusinessnews.com.

IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES MONDAY, OCT. 5: VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7: EARLY VOTING BEGINS AND EARLY BALLOTS ARE MAILED. FRIDAY, OCT. 23: DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN EARLY BALLOT BY MAIL. FRIDAY, OCT. 30: LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IN PERSON. TUESDAY, NOV. 3: ELECTION DAY. POLLS ARE OPEN 6 A.M.-7 P.M.

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

Treating the Younger, Active Patient with an Arthritic Shoulder

By Dr. John Flint

ne challenge orthopedic surgeons have worked to solve for decades is how to treat younger patients with severe arthritis. While joint replacement is commonly performed in patients over 70 and has become a reliable way to relieve pain and improve function, treating a younger, active patient presents a unique challenge. With decades of activity ahead of them, these patients place significantly more demand on their replacement joints. This is especially true of the shoulder. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. For shoulder

surgeons, the unique anatomy and capabilities of the shoulder make it the most interesting joint. Its remarkable range of motion allows us to reach, lift, throw and perform countless everyday activities. However, these same features also make treating an arthritic shoulder particularly challenging, especially in younger, active patients. One exciting advancement that has emerged in recent years is pyrolytic carbon shoulder replacement. Pyrolytic carbon, or pyro carbon, is a material that has been used in medicine for decades but has only recently been introduced for shoulder replacement. Research continues to determine which patients may benefit most from this technology.

// Pyrolytic carbon, or pyro carbon, is a material that has been used in medicine for decades but has only recently been introduced for shoulder replacement. Research continues to determine which patients may benefit most from this technology. //

To understand why pyro carbon is promising, it helps to look at traditional shoulder replacement. The socket component of a traditional shoulder replacement can loosen over time due to repetitive stress. For an older patient, this may not become a significant concern during their lifetime. But for someone in their 40s or 50s with decades of activity ahead, the longevity of the implant becomes an important consideration. In the past, one option for younger, active patients was to use a stainless-steel ball without an artificial socket. While this avoided the possibility of a loose socket component, the metal could gradually erode the patient’s natural bone because steel is significantly stiffer than bone. Pyrolytic carbon offers an interesting alternative because its stiffness is much closer to that of natural bone. Although bone may seem rigid, it actually bends slightly under stress. Because pyro carbon behaves more similarly to bone, it can be more compatible with the surrounding bone and may reduce erosion. Preserving that natural bone can be particularly valuable for younger, active

patients who place significant stress on their shoulders. The technology has been studied for years in Australia, where researchers have published multiple studies examining outcomes. While the results are promising, pyro carbon is not without limitations. Some erosion of the natural bone can still occur, although it may be less than with traditional stainless-steel implants. Another consideration is that pyro carbon is a brittle material and has presented challenges with fracture of the implant or ball. Advances in surgical techniques, implant design and surgeon education have helped address these concerns. As with any medical treatment, there are benefits and trade-offs to consider. For the right patient, however, pyrolytic carbon shoulder replacement can be an exciting option for active patients in their 40s and 50s, and even select patients in their 60s, who have significant shoulder arthritis and want to maintain an active lifestyle. Ultimately, the best treatment depends on the individual patient, their shoulder,

their activity level and their goals. A consultation with an orthopedic shoulder specialist can help determine which options may be appropriate. FBN Dr. John Flint is an upper extremity orthopedic surgeon at Flagstaff Bone & Joint, specializing in the treatment of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder, including arthritis, reconstruction and joint replacement. He has been with Flagstaff Bone & Joint for more than 15 years. He completed fellowship training in upper extremity surgery at Triangle Orthopaedic Associates in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, following his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Flint earned his medical degree with honors from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and sees patients in Flagstaff and Kingman. For more information, visit flagstaffboneandjoint.com or call 928-773-2280 to schedule an appointment.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Flagstaff Bone and Joint to Be Flagstaff’s First Autism-Friendly Orthopaedic Practice

hrough a partnership with Kaibab Behavioral Services, Flagstaff Bone & Joint is becoming the first autism-friendly orthopaedic practice in Flagstaff, expanding its commitment to providing accessible, patient-centered care for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Kaibab Behavioral Services will provide specialized training for Flagstaff Bone & Joint doctors, physician assistants, medical assistants, therapists, imaging professionals and administrative staff, according to an August news release. The initiative will equip team members with practical strategies to better support autistic and neurodiverse patients throughout every stage of their care. “As healthcare providers, our responsibility extends beyond treating injuries. We must also create an environment where every patient feels understood and comfortable,” said Flagstaff Bone & Joint Marketing and Business

Development Manager Christina Smith. “By partnering with Kaibab Behavioral Services, we’re helping ensure neurodiverse individuals and their families receive the compassionate, personalized orthopaedic care they deserve.” “This partnership is about creating lasting change,” said Korina Maestas, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, founder and clinical director of Kaibab Behavioral Services. “Small adjustments in communication, preparation and the healthcare environment can make a meaningful difference for autistic individuals and their families. We’re proud to partner with Flagstaff Bone & Joint to help build a more inclusive healthcare experience for our community.” Upon completing the program, Flagstaff Bone & Joint will receive Autism-Friendly Practice recognition from Kaibab Behavioral Services and continue to receive ongoing consultation to help strengthen and sustain its inclusive care initiatives. FBN

Cedar Closet Contributes More Than $300K to Flagstaff Community, Marking Record Year

he Cedar Closet of Flagstaff contributed more than $300,000 in goods and services to the community during 2025-2026, marking a record year of giving for the volunteer-run nonprofit organization. According to its Annual Philanthropic Report, revenue from thrift store sales, private donations and hundreds of volunteer hours supported nine philanthropic programs serving children, families, veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness or other difficult circumstances. Among the organization’s largest efforts, School Clothes for Kids provided 1,241 children with new school clothes, shoes, a book and other essential items through a partnership with Flagstaff Unified School District. Through its Homeless Help program, Cedar Closet provided $68,400 in clothing, hygiene products and other necessities to local shelters and social service organizations, including Flagstaff Shelter Services, Northland Family Help Center, Catholic Charities, Community Assistance Teams and Nation’s Finest Veteran Services. The organization’s Bear Hugs program also distributed 1,340 teddy bears to comfort children and vulnerable adults experiencing emergency situations. Cedar Closet Philanthropic Committee Chair Donna Koester credited community support for making the programs possible. “Our community impact depends on this three-part foundation of philanthropy, allowing us to serve with compassion, caring and commitment,” she said. FBN

The nonprofit thrift store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 2919 N. West St. in Flagstaff. For more information, visit cedarclosetflag.com.

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Five Ways Flagstaff’s Outdoors Can Support a Healthier Life

By Roy DuPrez

n a world that seems to move faster every year, slowing down can feel like a luxury. Emails follow us home. Phones rarely leave our hands. Calendars fill quickly, and even our downtime can become another opportunity to scroll. Yet here in Flagstaff, we’re surrounded by something that can make slowing down a little easier: nature. The forests, mountains, trails and

open spaces that make Flagstaff a destination for visitors can also be everyday resources for the people who live here. At Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery, outdoor experiences are part of helping individuals build healthier, more connected lives. Residents spend time outside, take on challenges, develop relationships and learn that recovery can be about much more than what they leave behind. It can also be about discovering

// We’re often encouraged to make the most of our time. But not every moment needs to be productive. Sit outside with your coffee. Watch the sunset. Take a walk without tracking your steps. Spend an afternoon exploring a trail you’ve never tried. Sit under a tree and do absolutely nothing for 20 minutes. //

what they want their lives to include. And that philosophy isn’t limited to people in treatment. Whether you’re working on your own wellness, looking for ways to manage everyday stress or simply want to be more present in your life, Flagstaff provides an extraordinary setting to practice slowing down. Here are five ways to start.

1. TRADE THE SCREEN FOR THE TRAIL

One of the simplest ways to slow down is to physically step away from the constant stream of information coming from our phones. You don’t need a major hiking expedition. Take a short walk through the forest. Explore a familiar trail without headphones. Leave your phone in your pocket and pay attention to what you can hear, see and smell. The goal isn’t necessarily exercise. It’s presence. When we’re constantly consuming information, we can miss what’s happening around us. Spending time outside creates an opportunity to shift our attention from what’s happening on a screen to what’s happening right in front of us.

For people in recovery, learning to be present is an important part of developing healthy routines. But it’s a skill that can benefit everyone.

2. LET YOURSELF DO SOMETHING THAT ISN’T PRODUCTIVE

We’re often encouraged to make the most of our time. But not every moment needs to be productive. Sit outside with your coffee. Watch the sunset. Take a walk without tracking your steps. Spend an afternoon exploring a trail you’ve never tried. Sit under a tree and do absolutely nothing for 20 minutes. Flagstaff gives residents countless opportunities to do this. The idea may seem simple, but learning to be comfortable with stillness can be surprisingly difficult. Sometimes slowing down is an accomplishment in itself.

3. MAKE ADVENTURE A REGULAR PART OF YOUR LIFE

Adventure doesn’t have to mean climbing a mountain or spending an entire weekend in the wilderness. It can mean taking a different trail. Trying something you’ve never

done. Exploring a new part of town. Inviting someone to join you on an outdoor activity. The point is to create opportunities to experience something new. At Back2Basics, outdoor adventure is used intentionally to help residents build confidence, practice communication and discover that they are capable of taking on challenges. You can take the same concept into everyday life. Try something unfamiliar. Challenge yourself. And give yourself permission to be a beginner. For some people, changing their environment can be an important part of creating lasting change. Being somewhere new can provide an opportunity to step away from familiar patterns, experience something different and begin building new routines. One Back2Basics alumnus described that experience this way: “I needed a change of environment to get healthy. I tried getting sober at home multiple times. When my mom suggested I go to Back2Basics in Flagstaff, initially I was resistant. After coming to Back2Basics, I am grateful

We a when yo Continued on page 35

We are here when you need us. 2187 N. Vickey Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (928) 527-1899 (888) 681-1899 tgcaz.org

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

Hearing Aid Technology That is Eons Ahead

By Jeff Lane, Au. D.

he development of hearing aid technology occurs so quickly it can sometimes be difficult to keep up. On average, most major manufacturers release a new platform every two to three years. Because there is still no cure for hearing loss, developments focus on making the aided signal sound as natural as possible. Phonak’s newest platform, Eon, continues that mission.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The main advancements in the Eon are not completely new forms of technology, but refinement of the features that made their prior platform, Infinio, so revolutionary. Of those features, the most important is Spheric Speech Clarity. Spheric Speech Clarity is a deep neural network designed to help users hear in background noise. In other words, it is an AI system trained on millions of sound samples, which allows it to know how to process the signal in any given situation. The Eon platform contains Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0, which is powered by a brand-new microchip. Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 is 37% more effi-

cient than the previous generation. This means that the hearing aids can deliver the same noise filtering capability while using less energy. Thus, battery life is improved. Users no longer have to worry about their hearing aids running low if they are in a loud conference all day. Additionally, this technology is now available in standard-level technology, whereas it had previously been restricted to advanced and premium levels. An important distinction is that Spheric Speech Clarity has to be manually activated in the standard level, while advanced and premium engage it automatically. Another major improvement is the introduction of AutoSense OS 8.0. AutoSense is the system that runs Phonak hearing aids. The new version is more accurate in how it processes the sound. That is, it is better at identifying the type of environment the user is in and switching into the more appropriate mode. In relation to hearing in a noisy environment, it provides a more consistent listening experience. Hearing aids constantly analyze what is happening around you and try to identify certain characteristics. For background noise, once the volume reaches a certain threshold, it

activates the appropriate filtering. With Infinio, the requirements for switching in and out of Spheric Speech Clarity were too strict. As soon as a lull occurred and the volume dipped below the designated threshold, the hearing aids would instantly disengage from Spheric Speech Clarity. As a result, the hearing aid was switching in and out of that mode too frequently, which could create a jarring listening experience for users. The Eon hearing aids require a sustained reduction in background noise in order to switch out of Spheric Speech Clarity, thus improving the sound quality. A consistent nemesis of hearing aid users is wind noise. Even if they hear well in all other situations, as soon as they encounter wind, it dominates what they hear. Many of my patients say they don’t wear their aids when biking or golfing for this very reason. In the past, Phonak tried to address that issue by reducing

low-frequency gain. It helped but wasn’t a perfect solution. With Eon, they have introduced WindBlock 2.0. This new version is able to reduce wind noise by up to 50 dB! It achieves this by restructuring its approach. The hearing aids have a front microphone and a back microphone. WindBlock 2.0 monitors the level of wind hitting each one. Whichever microphone is receiving the brunt of the wind has its input deemphasized in favor of the quieter microphone. The result is wind noise that is barely noticeable.

SLEEK PACKAGING

Not only does the Eon offer all of this amazing technology, it manages to do so in smaller housing than the Infinio Sphere. Spheric Speech Clarity is run by a second chip, in addition

to the main processing chip. In the Infinio hearing aids, this resulted in a bulkier design. Because of the improvements in efficiency offered by the Eon, the hearing aids are now 25% smaller and 20% lighter. Phonak has also introduced a brand-new color: Sienna Red! Best of all, the charger is now identical for all Eon models and is able to offer charging on the go. A fully charged case can recharge the hearing aids three times before having to be plugged back into an outlet. Exploring all this new technology can be overwhelming. Luckily, your hearing care professional is here to guide you through the process! Reach out and start your hearing journey today! FBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit the website at TrinityHearing. net. Jeff Lane is a doctor of audiology with a passion for improving the lives of others. Dr. Lane may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@trinityhearing.net.

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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By Christina Kovalik, NMD, Lac

n the United States, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women, following lung cancer, and is the most common cancer diagnosed in women other than skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, and about 42,140 women will die from the disease. Breast cancer does occur in men, but the number of new cases is relatively small. The good news is that annual death rates related to breast cancer have gradually decreased over time. This decline is likely because of an increase in early detection, education and improved treatment. When detected early, breast cancer is much easier to treat and has a high rate of survival. However, when discovered and treated at a late stage, breast cancer is much more difficult to treat successfully. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is greater than 99%, compared with 32% for breast cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body.

BREAST HEALTH TIPS

Breast health is an important factor in women’s health, and being aware of any breast changes is essential. Breast changes can normally occur throughout a woman’s lifetime and are often sensitive to hormone fluctuations, lymph congestion and environmental exposures. Breast tissue can be lumpy, bumpy or dense, resulting in fibrocystic breast tissue. Fibrocystic breasts are one of the most common causes of breast changes in women. They are often benign changes of the tissue and are usually associated with high caffeine intake and estrogen dominance. Concerns about breast tissue arise when a woman has breast pain, a new lump, skin changes, lymph swelling or nipple discharge. Breast lumps that are noncancerous are cysts, fibroadenoma or fibrocystic dense breast tissue. Cancerous lesions can begin in different areas of the breast: the ducts, the lobules or the tissue in between. Individual risk factors of family

history, reproductive history, lifestyle and environmental exposures need to be addressed. Optimizing hormones and promoting healthy detoxification and lymphatic pathways in promoting healthy breast tissue are key in prevention.

SEVEN PREVENTIVE BREAST HEALTH TIPS

1. Conduct regular breast exams – Know your breast tissue so that you can detect any changes, skin discoloration, discharge or dimpling that is not normal. 2. Get your screenings and mammogram or thermography – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women begin getting mammograms at age 40. 3. Eat a whole-foods, anti-inflammatory diet – Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco and caffeine use. 4. Take EPO- evening primrose oil – Taking 1,000-1,300 mg daily can lessen the fibrocystic dense breast and lumpiness 5. Iodine – An iodine supplement may improve lymph flow. Consult your physician if you have thyroid nodules or issues to confirm that iodine is safe for you. 6. DIM (diindolemethane) DIM is a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower that may alter estrogen metabolism. Some people take 100-150 mg in supplements to influence estrogen-related breast health. 7. Hormone optimization – Testosterone receptors are the most widely expressed hormone receptors in the breast and may have a breast-protective effect on potential breast cancers. It is important to have the correct estrogen/progesterone balance to protect the breast tissue. If your hormones are out of whack, the breasts may suffer. FBN Call for any questions or concerns: 928-863-6086, and please get your screening. Dr. Christina Kovalik NMD, LAc, The Vitality Doctor, is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in hormone optimization, optimal health and vitality. She is a new Flagstaff resident, practicing since 2004, and opened her second location in Doney Park in 2020. For more information, visit thevitalitydoctor.com or call 928-863-6086.

Small Businesses Invited to Apply for Business Retention and Expansion Incentive

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

By Creag Znetko

mall business owners, entrepreneurs and eligible nonprofit organizations operating within the City of Flagstaff are invited to apply for the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Incentive, a competitive grant program designed to support the growth, stability and resilience of existing local businesses. The City of Flagstaff has allocated $45,000 for the BR&E Incentive in FY27, with individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $30,000. Up to $15,000 of the total allocation may be awarded to

eligible nonprofit organizations with a focus on economic development activities. The program also requires a 1-to-1 cash match; the amount requested must be matched by the applicant. While all small businesses located within the Flagstaff municipal boundary are welcome to apply, the program prioritizes businesses in food processing, biosciences, medical devices, research and development, health care, clean energy, forestry, software development and education. Applicants are encouraged to focus on projects that create or retain low environmental impact, high-wage jobs. Tracie Hansen, owner of Minuteman Press, re-

// While all small businesses located within the Flagstaff municipal boundary are welcome to apply, the program prioritizes businesses in food processing, biosciences, medical devices, research and development, health care, clean energy, forestry, software development and education. Applicants are encouraged to focus on projects that create or retain low environmental impact, high-wage jobs. //

19 Per year

ceived a BR&E award after an unplanned business relocation collided with a major equipment investment. “The BRE Incentive helped offset some of those expenses, giving us some financial breathing room,” she said. “I found it helpful to reach out to the city’s economic development team to get a better sense of what could help us be successful in our proposal. They were generous with their time, helpful with their information and invested in our success. It was clear to me that they truly wanted to help us.” Applications will be accepted through Oct. 31, 2026. Interested applicants should submit their proposal by email to cznetko@flagstaffaz.gov, with the subject line “BR&E Grant Application.” FBN

.99

Delivered right to your mailbox.

www.flagstaff businessnews.com/subscribe INSIDE THE JANUARY

Land Purchase Eyed for Economic Development p. 3

For more information and to learn requirements for applying, visit chooseflagstaff.com/business-retention-expansion-incentive/

FBN

fter 400 backcountry hikes into the Grand Canyon, trips down the Colorado 100 River and scores of worldwide excursions spanning a 44-year career, it was no surprise to 65-year-old geologist Wayne Ranney knees began to bother when his him. “I went to the doctor, tried a couple treatments and when they didn’t

p. 7 Community Profile: Geri Hongeva Promotes Navajo Language through Star Wars p. 13

Scientists Helping Reforestation Efforts in Panama p. 6

Knees

2020 ISSUE:

Forest Health Hero Wally Covington Retires from NAU

Local Veterans Feeling Support from Nation of Patriots p. 4

New Year, New

Doctors and therapists at Rehabilitation Northern Arizona want patients back Hospital of on their feet By V. Ronnie Tierney,

he said with a laugh.

level of care,” said “The rooms were Dr. fantastic, private work, the doctors and I can’t say enough physician and medical Richard Holt, said I would be about the director. a good candidate Complete with 24/7 for bilateral replace- staff. They were very attentive, ment – that is double caring and professional. coverage, an on-site physician knee surgery pharmacy – so I agreed,” said hugs were all around.” When I left, with three full-time Ranney. “The pharmacists, surgery went well nursing and patient With a staff of 120, and care technicians, the Rehabilionly took two hours.” surprisingly tation Hospital of Northern Arizona full-time occupational, speech and opened in February A big boost for physical therapy, Ranney in his Holt said, “There 2018. The post-op recovery is 40-bed facility is nothing like us in was the care he the only rehabilNorthern Arizona received at the Rehabilitation itation care facility and now patients in Northern can stay in the Hospital of Northern Arizona and is a Arizona. “I spent joint-commissioned community that is close to their 12 days in recovery accredited hospital. homes and families there, which I “Before we and get worldbelieve helped to opened here, patients class rehabilitation save my marriage,” care.” would have to travel literally hours Ranney says the food is great, to get this type/ Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

Game On: ‘Flagsta Local’ Rewards ff Shopping, Helping , Giving Players

Mountain Sports Owner Lisa Lamberson make a difference says the Flagstaff in the community. Local movement “When dollars are Lamberson, shown brings spent locally, businesses awareness to actions that here with Mountain Patagonia to grant Sports General Manager have more to give $10,000 to the Azulita back.” Britni Montague, program promotes reducing single-use Project, represented by Maria Campbell recently partnered with plastics, like plastic straws, in Flagstaff’s and James Q. Martin. The service industry. January Courtesy photo

2020 | Issue 1 Volume

Creag Znetko is the economic development administrator for the City of Flagstaff.

page 33

earn points and a chance at prizes for ‘actions that matter;’ businesses have more to give back

By Bonnie Stevens, FBN game thought up by the Economic Vitality t is like Jumanji Diviwithout killer ostriches. Flagstaff the sion and Discover Flagstaff Local is a community-wide tourism folks at the City Flagstaff, and everybody of wins.

It involves deeds that benefit the greater good and earn players points. Flagstaff Local is similar to some video games in which the better you do, the better your health, except in this case, the better the health of the community. Mountain Sports Flagstaff Continued on

page 30

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY

Flagstaff Shines on Signs p. 4

By Bonnie Stevens,

FBN

rizona’s largest wind energy project, the Chevelon Butte Wind Farm, is expected to have turbine blades spinning in a remote area south of Winslow by the end of 2021, and power the region with an estimated $8 million in indirect economic benefits during the construction phase.

2020 ISSUE:

Community Profile: Scotty McPeak Promotes Olive Oil, Healthy Living p. 13 Lowell, ERAU Share Cosmic Forces p. 16

Neighborhood Barbershop Expanding p. 5 Barrett-Jackson

Harnessing the

State’s largest wind farm to produce jobs and millions electricity, in economic impact to region

Gleams with Car Show Tradition p. 11

Wind

customers by 2050. “We’re pretty excited. “We This project sPower are super excited,” said fits with our vision Senior Permitting and comprehenManager sive plan to look sPower, a Salt Lake Terrance Unrein. at renewable energy “This is the right City-based renewable energy sources,” said Coconino project for Arizona developer, received and County unanimous approval Supervisor Matt and Navajo counties’ for Coconino Ryan. to move forward communities at on the project from the right time, especially At full build-out, both Coconino the wind farm with the coal and Navajo counties is expected to be plant closures. Wind two or three times and energy is a great Corporation Commission,the Arizona larger than any opportunity for other operating our future and I which wind this is one think company officials energy project in of the best projects say is a rare feat the state, with 164 we’re for any wind farm, turbines spread ever going to see across 42,000 acres much less one of in the area, given its this size. This came and generating 477 incredibly remote just weeks before and windy location, megawatts, the APS announced equivalent of enough proximity to viable its goal transmission infraelectricity to 100% clean, carbon-free to deliver power a structure, and planned electricity to people. community of about 150,000 lack to threatened or endangeredof impacts species.” Continued on

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

page 41

CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-O n Skills

Upgraded construction technology shop made possible Foundation grant with Del E. Webb By Larry Hendricks,

Del E. Webb Foundation President John B. the $1 million in Lees shows off grant funding the a hammer he received college received Street campus. in gratitude from to help with the Courtesy photo CCC for remodel of the C-LAB on the Fourth

February 2020

| Issue 2 Volume

FBN

oconino Community College alumnus William Gonzales stood in the space with a smile on his face.

He ran his hand along the workstation, felt the sawdust.

The Coconino Community College C-LAB for Construction Technology Management students has officially opened for students. More The smell of newness than filled people were on hand 50 the shop. Metal surfaces, once for the late-January dull, gleamed. Tools, ready for celebration. ribbon-cutting use, lined walls. The newly refurbished shop was “This is just so amazing,” made possible with the help of Gonzales said, glancing a $1 million grant from the Del around. “I wish E. Webb it looked like Foundation. this when I started taking Among those in classes.” attendance Continued on

page 38

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

FBN Celebrates 40 Over 40 ESS NEW S

FLAGSTAF

F BUSIN ESS NEWS

FLAGSTA

FF BUSIN

n a region defined by innovation, discovery, a deep respect for place and an unwavering commitment to people and the environment, Flagstaff Business News celebrates Northern Arizona businesses that possess something increasingly rare: staying power. The 40 Over 40 series honors locally rooted enterprises that have operated for more than four decades, navigating economic cycles, shifting markets and generational change while continuing to serve their communities with consistency and care, and contributing to the quality of life that defines Northern Arizona. From businesses that foster connection to those that build the spaces where locals and visitors live, work and play, this yearlong series explores the values, resilience and leadership that fuel long-term success across the region.

Rooted in Service OneAZ Credit Union celebrates 55 years of serving Flagstaff

FLAGSTAF

F BUSIN

ESS NEWS

From the beginning, OneAZ Credit Union has stood by its mission: “People helping people and providing members with access to financial services that could help them build a stronger financial future.” THE FOUNDING STORY OneAZ Credit Union was founded in 1951, with its first branch in Phoenix serving State of Arizona employees. Under the advocacy of Gov. Rose Mofford, a founding member, word spread among elected officials and state employees about the credit union’s benefits. “Flagstaff became an important part of that story in 1970, when we opened our second branch,” said OneAZ Northern Regional President Curtis Linderman. “That was more than 55 years ago, and

today, we have two branches in Flagstaff.” TOP ACHIEVEMENTS OneAZ has grown from a small credit union serving a specific employee group into a statewide financial institution with 250,000 members and 26 branches. “Our success isn’t just measured by financial growth. We’ve expanded our products, technology and geographic footprint, while remaining focused on helping members succeed.” Linderman also points to OneAZ’s 55-plus years in Flagstaff and its support of local nonprofits through Community Impact Grants and a $100,000 Legacy Grant to the T. Paul Thomas Center for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship. CORE VALUES OneAZ’s core values are: Be Accountable, Be Impactful, Be Curious, Be Compassionate and Be Fearless. SHIFTS IMPACTING THE BUSINESS Banking has changed dramatically since OneAZ opened in Flagstaff. The

credit union has evolved from primarily branch-based banking to digital and mobile services, while continuing to invest in physical branches and local relationships. GREATEST CHALLENGES “One of the biggest challenges has been continuing to evolve while preserving what makes a credit union different,” Linderman said. Technology, consumer expectations and competition have changed, he said, but members still want something fundamental: someone they can trust to help them make good financial decisions. LOOKING AHEAD “What we can predict is that people will continue to need a trusted financial partner.” In Flagstaff, Linderman says that means continuing to invest in local nonprofits, businesses, families and future generations. REASON FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS Linderman credits OneAZ’s longevity

to its ability to evolve without losing sight of the people it serves. “In Flagstaff, we’ve been part of the community since 1970,” he said. “That’s five-plus decades of relationships, trust and shared growth.” FBN

OneAZ Credit Union 825 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-213-6701

“As long as I can, I’m going to be climbing up to that sign.” FBN

Hotel Monte Vista 100 N. San Francisco Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-779-6971 hotelmontevista.com

OneAZ Credit Union 5200 N. U.S. Highway 89 Flagstaff, AZ 86004 928-213-6802

One Hundred Years in the Making The historic Hotel Monte Vista celebrates its 100th birthday in January For nearly a century, the red neon sign atop Hotel Monte Vista has towered over San Francisco Street and Aspen Avenue, beckoning locals and visitors to check in, enjoy dinner or have a drink. THE FOUNDING STORY With tourism on the rise in the mid-1920s, prominent citizens began a fundraising campaign for a new hotel. Construction started June 8, 1926, and Hotel Monte Vista opened New Year’s Day, 1927. James “Jimmy” Craven bought the historic hotel in 1994 after visiting Flagstaff from San Francisco. “I fell in love with the blue skies of Arizona,” he said. “I came down to visit a friend, heard it was for sale and I bought it. I wanted to have a role in its preservation and renovation.”

TOP ACHIEVEMENTS “When I bought the hotel, it was being run partially as an office building and partially as a hotel,” Craven said. “I wanted to get it back to its original purpose, which was a tourist hotel.” Keeping the hotel running is an ongoing accomplishment, as is maintaining the neon sign. “That thing breaks all the time. I need to climb up there, take the neon down, have it repaired and put it back up.” CORE VALUES “The core is, we are a family-run business. We’re trying to take care of the families and individuals who work for us and preserve the historical legacy of the hotel.” SHIFTS IMPACTING THE BUSINESS The hotel now operates four bars: the original Monte Vista Lounge, Rendezvous, Lotus Lounge sushi bar and the new Hideout. “What I really enjoy is bringing people together. They all sit, enjoy a drink and talk to people they’ve never met before. It’s

like a social club.” GREATEST CHALLENGES “COVID was a horrible time. We were closed for three months at one point.” Today, he says people are more conservative with their spending, although the bars and restaurant are doing well. LOOKING AHEAD “The hotel is 100 years old and it’s as solid as when it was built,” Craven said. “I am not going to sell it to any chain. I’m going to keep it as a family-run business for as long as possible.” His son, Rostyslav Craven, manages the hotel, while his wife, Lidia, runs the restaurant and bars. REASON FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS Craven credits the hotel’s historical integrity, appearance and management for its longevity. And after more than three decades as owner, he remains devoted to preserving one of downtown Flagstaff’s most recognizable landmarks.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

The Secret to a Purrrr-fect Night’s Sleep

By Wesley and Sadie Myers

great day begins the night before. When you enjoy deep, comfortable, restorative sleep, you are more likely to wake up feeling refreshed, focused and ready to take on everything ahead. Quality sleep can support a better mood, sharper concentration, stronger energy levels and improved overall wellness. But if your mattress is worn, sagging or simply no longer comfortable, getting the rest you need can feel impossible. That is where Matkat’s Mattress in Flagstaff can help. We are local owners, Wesley and Sadie. Our goal is to make shopping for a new bed at Matkat’s Mattress comfortable, friendly and stress-free. Our knowledgeable team will take the time to understand how you sleep, what

feels best and what fits your budget. Whether you prefer soft and plush, firm and supportive or something perfectly in between, we can help you discover a mattress designed for your ideal night’s rest. The right mattress provides more than comfort. Proper support can help relieve pressure points, reduce tossing and turning and keep your body better aligned throughout the night. You may wake up with fewer aches, more energy and a whole new appreciation for bedtime. At Matkat’s Mattress, you will find quality mattresses, adjustable bases, pillows and natural options –sleep accessories for every bedroom and budget. Better sleep also comes from better peace of mind. Come explore our organic certified mattress line, Naturepedic, for sustainability and peace of mind.

Instead of guessing online, you can visit our // showroom, compare your options and find the The right mattress provides more than comfort. Proper support comfort that feels right for you. If you have been waking up tired, uncomcan help relieve pressure points, reduce tossing and turning fortable or counting sheep long after bedtime, and keep your body better aligned throughout the night. You it may be time for a change. Feel good, day night, by shopping local at Matkat’s may wake up with fewer aches, more energy and a whole new and Mattress on Route 66 in Flagstaff near downtown. Our hometown team will appreciation for bedtime. help you bring better rest home. // Because better sleep does not just

At Matkat’s Mattress, we are Northern Arizona’s destination for a truly Purrrr-fect Night’s Sleep! FBN

improve your nights – it can make every waking hour feel better too.

Wesley and Sadie Myers are the owners and operators of Matkat’s Mattress, located at 624 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. For more information, call 928-440-3210 of visit www.matkatsmattress.com

AN EVENING OF

TIPS FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE

ACHIEVEMENT

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Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Get Your Kitchen Holiday-Ready with Kitchen Tune-Up of Flagstaff

By Mark Rothlisberger

he holidays are a time for family, friends, great food and lasting memories. Because so many holiday moments happen in the kitchen, now is the perfect time to give yours a fresh, updated look with help from our team at Kitchen Tune-Up of Flagstaff. Whether your cabinets are worn, your kitchen feels outdated or you simply want a more welcoming space for holiday gatherings, at Kitchen Tune-Up we offer practical remodeling solutions designed to fit your home, style, schedule and budget. We transform kitchens with less disruption than a traditional full remodel. Our goal is to

make the entire process easy, organized and enjoyable – from the first consultation through the final reveal and all at price within your budget. Our Kitchen Tune-Up signature one- to five-day remodeling solutions can significantly improve the look and function of a kitchen without weeks of construction. Available services include cabinet painting, replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts and adding convenient storage solutions. These options can create the appearance of a beautiful new kitchen while preserving much of the existing layout. Homeowners can also expect clear communication, honest timelines, clean workmanship, dedicated project

// Our Kitchen Tune-Up signature one- to five-day remodeling solutions can significantly improve the look and function of a kitchen without weeks of construction. Available services include cabinet painting, replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts and adding convenient storage solutions. //

management and careful attention to detail. Our Kitchen Tune-Up team focuses on delivering attractive, efficient results on time and on budget. A refreshed kitchen does more than improve the appearance of your home. It can make cooking, organizing, entertaining and spending time together more enjoyable. It can also enhance your home’s comfort, function and

overall value. Make your kitchen the perfect gathering place for the holidays and beyond. Give it the Tune-Up it deserves with our trusted local team. Kitchen Tune-Up of Flagstaff: Update… Upgrade… Uplift! FBN

Visit our website KitchenTuneUp.com to view a gallery of projects and schedule your free in-home consultation today.

Mark Rothlisberger is the owner-operator of Kitchen Tune-Up of Flagstaff.

Join Santa for Breakfast at Little America Celebrate the holidays all season long at our signature buffet Breakfast with Santa this November

A Breakfast They’ll

Never Forget

and December.

RESERVE YOUR TABLE

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

What Fed Rates Mean for Flagstaff Real Estate

By Chris Hallows

he Federal Reserve raised rates again this month, and whenever that happens, I start getting the same question: “Does that mean mortgage rates just went up, too?” Not necessarily. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are driven much more by the bond market, inflation expectations and what investors believe is coming next for the economy. Sometimes mortgage rates move with the Fed. Sometimes they move before the Fed acts. And occasionally they move in the opposite direction. That’s why I think trying to perfectly time interest rates is usually the

wrong place to start when making a housing decision. The more interesting story right now is what’s happening here in Flagstaff. We currently have approximately 5.59 months of housing inventory. That is a very different environment from the market we experienced a few years ago, when buyers were often competing against multiple offers, waiving contingencies and making decisions incredibly quickly. Today, buyers have something they haven’t had much of in recent years: options. That doesn’t necessarily mean homes are suddenly inexpensive – this is still Flagstaff. But it does mean buyers can be more thoughtful, and in many situations they have considerably more negotiating power.

For buyers, I think the key is to stop looking at interest rates in isolation. Obviously, your monthly payment matters. But so does the price you pay for the home, what the seller may be willing to contribute toward closing costs, whether you can negotiate repairs and whether seller concessions can be used to temporarily or permanently reduce your interest rate. Sometimes the best opportunity isn’t finding the lowest advertised price. It’s finding a motivated seller and putting together the right structure. Instead of asking, “Should I wait until rates come down?” I would ask, “Can I find the right house today at a payment I’m comfortable with?” If you can, there may be an

// For buyers, I think the key is to stop looking at interest rates in isolation. Obviously, your monthly payment matters. But so does the price you pay for the home, what the seller may be willing to contribute toward closing costs, whether you can negotiate repairs and whether seller concessions can be used to temporarily or permanently reduce your interest rate. //

opportunity worth exploring. If you can’t, waiting may absolutely be the right decision. The important part is making that decision based on your finances and goals – not a prediction about where mortgage rates might be six months from now. Sellers need to adjust to this market, too. At 5.59 months of inventory, buyers have choices. If your home doesn’t show well, isn’t priced appropriately or doesn’t compete with the other homes around it, buyers can simply move on to the next one. That makes pricing and presentation incredibly important. It also means sellers should think beyond price. A $10,000 price reduction and a $10,000 seller concession don’t necessarily have the same impact for a buyer. Depending on the situation, using that money toward closing costs or an interest-rate buydown could make the home substantially more affordable on a monthly basis. That’s where having your realtor and lender working together before an offer ever arrives can make a meaningful difference. Ultimately, I don’t think today’s Flagstaff market is something buyers or sellers should be afraid of. It’s simply a market that requires

a different strategy. Buyers have more choices and more opportunities to negotiate. Sellers can still accomplish their goals, but pricing, preparation and flexibility matter more than they did a few years ago. We can’t control what the Federal Reserve does next and none of us can perfectly predict mortgage rates. What we can control is how well we understand the market in front of us and how creatively we use the tools available. And right now, there are more tools on the table for both buyers and sellers than the headlines might lead you to believe. FBN For additional information or to schedule an appointment visit ChrisHallows. Benchmark.us or call 928-707-8572. The Flagstaff location is 824 W Rte 66 Suite A-3. Chris Hallows is the Branch Manager & Sr. Mortgage Advisor of Benchmark Mortgage Flagstaff. NMLS 306345 Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS 2143 |Equal Housing Lender

Update & Upgrade Your Kitchen, uplift your home and life

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Get Your Kitchen Tuned Up For The Holidays

Let our family take care of yours! Plumbing, radiant in-floor heating systems, forced air heating and air conditioning for new construction, remodels and 24 hour service. 6993 N. Columbine Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Tel (928) 526-7006/ (928) 526-6231 www.intermountainaz.com admin@intermountainaz.com

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY BECKY DAGGETT

Flagstaff’s Public Safety Needs: What Voters Should Know

By Becky Daggett

he health and safety of Flagstaff residents is a priority for your City Council and staff. When the city invests in parks, recreational facilities, workforce housing, local nonprofits, economic development and public safety, it’s investing in the health and safety of residents. With that goal in mind, Flagstaff voters will see two city propositions on November’s ballot. Before diving into the details, I want to address why these measures are on your ballot. During the recession that began in 2008, the city implemented a 19% budget cut across the organization while the community’s service expectations remained unchanged. Since then, the city’s population and visitation have grown, but ongoing revenue hasn’t been enough to build back to pre-recession service levels. For instance, funding designated for personnel under Proposition 404 amounts to a $12 million investment for one year, but without it passing, the general fund doesn’t have the ongoing

revenue to support this need. If City Council utilized their full capacity to raise primary property taxes, it would produce less than $700,000 for general fund purposes. The city has been working since 2019 to find ways to fully fund public safety needs. Given the realities of the revenue versus costs, there is no way to cut enough from the budget to reallocate what is needed to public safety. The city formed a Public Safety Citizens’ Committee to review the needs, “check the math,” and look for alternative funding sources. This committee met almost weekly from November 2025 through May 2026, to pour over budgets and other documents. Skeptical at first, committee members ultimately voted unanimously to recommend placing a sales tax and a general obligation bond on our ballots in order to raise the revenue needed to minimally fund the city’s public safety needs. The City Council then voted unanimously to place them on the November 2026 ballot. I recognize that we’re all feeling

squeezed by economic pressures, but the longer we wait to act, the more construction, equipment and supply costs escalate – and the more our first responders burn out. Proposition 404 is a half-cent sales tax (50 cents on a $100 purchase) that expires in 15 years. Food prepared at home (groceries) and residential rent aren’t taxable in Flagstaff and wouldn’t be impacted. This measure would enable additional public safety staffing, operating maintenance, training, supplies and equipment. Proposition 405 is a general obligation bond to build the facilities and purchase the specialized equipment and software needed to put Flagstaff public safety in an excellent and strategic position for the future. The $40 million bond is within the city’s bonding capacity, meaning the existing secondary property tax rate remains the same. Similar public safety measures have recently passed in several Arizona cities, including Chandler, Glendale, Phoenix, Mesa and Prescott. This November, Tempe, Mesa and Avondale voters will

Built for the Season Ahead: Fall in Northern Arizona with the 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

By Pamela Quigley

here is something about fall in Northern Arizona that reminds us just how quickly things can change. In Northern Arizona, where a single day can take you from city streets to mountain roads and changing elevations, having the right vehicle is about more than getting from one place to another. It is about being ready for whatever the day, the job or the weather brings. That is where the 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter feels especially at home.

A WORKHORSE FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA.

Our local businesses rarely operate in predictable environments. Contractors travel between job sites. Hospitality businesses move people and supplies. Outfitters haul equipment. Delivery companies cover miles of changing terrain. And many entrepreneurs essentially take their businesses with them wherever they go. The Sprinter was designed with that kind of versatility in mind. Available configurations provide businesses

with the ability to choose the space, seating and capability that make sense for how they actually work. Depending on configuration, the 2026 Sprinter can offer substantial cargo capacity, while available high-roof models create room to move and organize equipment more efficiently. For businesses that spend long days on the road, that space can become more than cargo storage. It can function as a mobile workspace, equipment center or an extension of the business itself.

WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES, CAPABILITY MATTERS.

Fall also gives Northern Arizona drivers an early reminder that winter is never far behind. Cool mornings can become icy mornings. Rain can turn to snow. Roads that are easy to navigate in September may look very different a few months later. For businesses that cannot simply stop operating when conditions change, preparation matters. The 2026 Sprinter offers available all-wheel drive on select configurations, providing addiContinued on page 34

also vote on new sales taxes and/or general obligation bonds for public safety.

FLAGSTAFF FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AIRPORT RESCUE

Flagstaff and Coconino County are known nationally for our work on forest health, flood mitigation and advocacy to bring insurance premiums down. Despite strong regional, state and federal partnerships and investment, we remain concerned about the risk of catastrophic wildland fire around Flagstaff. Now is our opportunity to increase forest health and wildland fire mitigation efforts, potentially having a positive impact on insurance rates and availability. More than 14,000 acres around Flagstaff have been restored with ecologically based, wildfire risk-reduction thinning in Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project priority areas, where threats include diminished water quality and post-fire flooding. The original $10 million investment has leveraged more than $40 million to plan and complete significant forest restoration work, with more in the works.

The city partners with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Coconino County Flood Control District and Coconino National Forest on this effort, and the City Council advocates year-round for state and federal support to continue this work. With additional staff and funding, we can build on our success and get this work done even faster. If Proposition 404 passes, the Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD) and Airport Fire and Rescue will hire additional firefighters – a critical need to meet national standards, provide additional safety to firefighters and residents, and meet the needs of a changing community. Those hired by FFD will include firefighters with specialized training in areas such as wildland fire and medical response. Current firefighters will be able to train and promote into higher ranks. Proposition 404 includes funding for annual operating expenses and maintenance, cancer testing, turnouts, training, equipment and supplies. Continued on page 34

What Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month Means for Northern Arizona By Annebeth Ahrenholz

ctober is Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month. For the team at Northern Arizona Orthopaedics (NAO), it’s a chance to remind the community that living with joint pain isn’t the only option. Joint pain rarely shows up all at once. More often, it’s a knee that starts bothering you on stairs or a shoulder that doesn’t move the way it used to. Over time, small aches like

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

these can start to limit what people are able to do.

today have more treatment options than ever before.

JOINT TREATMENT HAS COME A LONG WAY

ONE TEAM, EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

Bone and joint conditions affect people of all ages, from young athletes recovering from injuries to older adults managing arthritis. Left untreated, these conditions can limit mobility and independence over time. But orthopedic medicine has advanced significantly, and patients

NAO’s fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons provide care across a range of areas, including sports medicine, adult joint reconstruction of the shoulder and knee and general orthopedics. Whether someone is recovering from an athletic injury or simply wants to move through daily

// Bone and joint conditions affect people of all ages, from young athletes recovering from injuries to older adults managing arthritis. Left untreated, these conditions can limit mobility and independence over time. But orthopedic medicine has advanced significantly, and patients today have more treatment options than ever before. //

life with less pain, NAO’s physicians work to understand each patient’s goals and build a plan around them.

THREE THINGS WORTH DOING THIS MONTH

NAO encourages the Northern Arizona community to take a few simple steps: Pay attention to persistent pain, swelling or stiffness, especially if it’s affecting daily activities. Stay active with low-impact exercise, which can help support joint health. Don’t wait to get evaluated. Early conversations often lead to more treatment options. FBN

With locations in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley and the White Mountains, NAO has provided comprehensive orthopedic care to the region for more than 50 years. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit northazortho.com or call 928-226-2900.

19 Per year

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Delivered right to your mailbox.

www.flagstaff businessnews.com/subscribe INSIDE THE JANUARY

Land Purchase Eyed for Economic Development p. 3

FBN

p. 7 Community Profile: Geri Hongeva Promotes Navajo Language through Star Wars p. 13

Scientists Helping Reforestation Efforts in Panama p. 6

Knees

2020 ISSUE:

Forest Health Hero Wally Covington Retires from NAU

Local Veterans Feeling Support from Nation of Patriots p. 4

New Year, New

Doctors and therapists at Rehabilitation Northern Arizona want patients back Hospital of on their feet By V. Ronnie Tierney,

he said with a laugh.

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

Game On: ‘Flagsta Local’ Rewards ff Shopping, Helping , Giving Players

2020 | Issue 1 Volume

page 33

earn points and a chance at prizes for ‘actions that matter;’ businesses have more to give back

page 30

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY

Flagstaff Shines on Signs p. 4

Annebeth Ahrenholz is the senior communications specialist of Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company.

Neighborhood Barbershop Expanding p. 5 Barrett-Jackson

Harnessing the

State’s largest wind farm to produce jobs and millions electricity, in economic impact to region

By Bonnie Stevens,

FBN

Gleams with Car Show Tradition p. 11

2020 ISSUE:

Community Profile: Scotty McPeak Promotes Olive Oil, Healthy Living p. 13 Lowell, ERAU Share Cosmic Forces p. 16

Wind

PHX & LAX

8 FLIGHTS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK Please consider being dropped off as parking is limited.

page 41

CCC C-LAB Opens for Students to Gain Hands-O n Skills

Upgraded construction technology shop made possible Foundation grant with Del E. Webb By Larry Hendricks,

February 2020

| Issue 2 Volume

FBN

oconino Community College alumnus William Gonzales stood in the space with a smile on his face.

He ran his hand along the workstation, felt the sawdust.

page 38

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

flagstaffbusinessnews.com

BREAST CANCER continued from page 6

tion of the breast tissue and 33 days of targeted radiation over six weeks. “I wasn’t going to do radiation and then my oncologist, Dr. John Kresl, called me and asked, ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘I think we got it all and caught it early.’ And he said, ‘No. No. You have to do it.’” By week four, the burn showed on the outside of her skin. The exhaustion sometimes had her taking naps in her car outside the abc15 television station, where she worked. “I didn’t expect the fatigue and I didn’t expect the area to burn like it did toward the end. Not fun.” She also didn’t expect the outpouring of love and care that surrounded her at the station. “My Sonoran Living family and abc15 family were so amazing. Our general manager and vice president at that time, Anita Helt, was so warm and embracing and before I left for my medical leave, she said, ‘You know you have a big platform. If you choose to share your story, I will support you and help you along the way.’” Ouellette was also welcomed into the cancer survivors’ community. “This is a very powerful sisterhood. Those women are amazing. I talked to way too many women who had to go through months of grueling chemotherapy and brutal immunotherapy treatment. I felt blessed that I didn’t have to go through that. I

felt lucky. And I wondered if I had put off my mammogram for even six months, how different my life would have looked.” Ouellette says the experience also taught her not to judge other women for the decisions they make and the treatments they choose. “Every body is unique and different. Every treatment plan is different. You need to educate yourself and decide what’s right for you.” For herself, she chose to spread her medical team across multiple practices. “For my radiation oncologist, my medical oncologist, my primary doctor, I wanted them all to be independent thinkers. I learned that this would be my team forever. That hit me the hardest of everything. This is forever! It’s not like a cold and it goes away or like appendicitis and they take it out of you. That’s why that little tick in the back of your head is going ‘tick tock – pay attention, do your due diligence.’” Along the way, she learned more about the disease: Breast cancer affects about one in eight women during their lifetimes. There are different kinds of breast cancer, and a family history of certain cancers can increase the risk. Although age remains an important risk factor, breast cancer rates have been rising among younger women. Men can develop breast cancer, too.

After completing radiation, Ouellette told Helt she was ready to take her story public. “I thought, ‘I can’t let other women ignore their bodies. This is not necessary. If you take care of your health and you are proactive in all of your checkups and your screenings, you can handle whatever comes your way. But if you ignore it and think, ‘I don’t have any history, I don’t have a problem,’ that is not smart to do that because with the technology we have today, they’re looking at even AI technology that can look at your breasts and even if you don’t have cancer, determine the likelihood of you getting it.” When it was time for her first mammogram following treatment, she brought videographers and producers with her to share the experience with viewers and help take some of the mystery and fear out of the process. “That first mammogram follow-up was probably the scariest thing ever because you want to make sure that they got it all. And then they said, ‘You have to go do an ultrasound.’ And I was like, ‘Why?’ And they said, ‘It’s just protocol.’ Once that was all clear, I felt a lot better.” This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ouellette is leading abc15’s Check Up AZ initiative. She is sharing interviews with breast cancer survivors, doctors

Sonoran Living host Terri Ouellette joins FBN Editor Bonnie Stevens on the set of Zonie Living. Ouellette is using her breast cancer experience to encourage women to be vigilant about their breast health, keep up with regular mammograms and understand the importance of early detection. Photo courtesy of Robin Cotè

and researchers, exploring advanced technology and raising awareness about nonprofit organizations that help patients with financial resources, transportation to medical appointments, household chores, meals, mental health services and other needs. “Early detection does matter. My hope for other women is that they do their self-exams and mammograms when it’s time,” she said. “My prayer is that you will never have to

go through breast cancer, but should you be that one in eight, my prayer is that you would have caught it early and gone through the treatment so that you can overcome it and live your life.” FBN For more information, visit abc15.com/ checkup.

Hear more from Terri Ouellette about her breast cancer journey on Zonie Living at prattpodcasting.com.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

THOM continued from page 1

in skiing. He wanted to know how the resort worked. “Who runs this place? Who has this business?” he remembers wondering. His father was a doctor with a fascination for engineering and large machinery. Thom inherited that curiosity. By age 6, the chairlift had his attention. “I asked my dad, ‘How does the rope stay on the wheels?’ And he answered in little-kid terms.” That fascination grew into a passion for roller coasters, water slides and what Thom calls “fun, big machines.” A Life-Changing Day at Virginia Tech Thom studied finance at Virginia Tech. “It was a mountain town, like

Flagstaff,” he said. “Virginia Tech felt like the safest place in the world.” But on April 16, 2007, Thom was a sophomore on campus when a gunman killed 32 students and faculty members and wounded 17 others before taking his own life. It was the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in modern U.S. history. The tragedy changed the direction of Thom’s life. “I was on track for the banking industry and I switched to hospitality. I wanted to work in a business that makes people happy.” And that is what he has been doing ever since. In the Business of Fun Thom brings more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, recre-

ation and attractions operations to Snowbowl. His career has included Sesame Place Philadelphia in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and executive operational positions within the SeaWorld organization. He served as vice president and general manager of Adventure Island, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s water park in Tampa. Most recently, he served as senior director of operations for Margaritaville at Sea. “I was a good company man,” he said. “I jumped at every opportunity and moved to wherever they needed me.” For Thom, whether guests are riding a roller coaster, sailing on a cruise ship or skiing down a mountain, the

// He sees that same spirit among those who work in the industry. “I have found that most of the employees in the ski and travel industry are not there because of the good-paying job. They are there for their passion. They are in the business of fun and they are all in on what they are selling. That just makes everything better.” //

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business is essentially the same. “I love the hospitality industry,” he said. “You are surrounded by people taking time out of their serious life and just there to have a good time.” He sees that same spirit among those who work in the industry. “I have found that most of the employees in the ski and travel industry are not there because of the good-paying job. They are there for their passion. They are in the business of fun and they are all in on what they are selling. That just makes everything better.” Bracing for a Peak Season Snowbowl is planning Friday, Nov. 20, as opening day for the 2026-27 winter season, which the resort is heading into with more than $1 million in investments, including forest health work, snowmaking upgrades and a new conveyor on the beginner terrain. “We’d like to get that open earlier and on a wider scale with better grooming and better conditions this year. It is a great investment.” Thom says his management style involves walking around, talking with employees and seeing the resort the way guests see it. “The guest experience is paramount. If you are giving the guest a good experience, they will tell you. And if you’re not taking care of that first, not making them feel good, they won’t want to come back.

INSPECTORSAUTO. COM

It’s about all the small details, the smile, the hospitality feel.” When it comes to the highly technical side of running the ski area – including terrain management and snowmaking – Thom has an extraordinary resource on the mountain. Chief Operating Officer Dale Haglin has worked at Snowbowl for 45 years. Born and raised in Flagstaff, Haglin started at the resort as a sawyer while attending Northern Arizona University and spent 30 years as director of mountain operations. He also served as interim general manager until Thom arrived in August. “Dale has been very welcoming and I am thankful to have an expert like him in my first winter,” said Thom. “I’m going to lean on his technical expertise.” No one knows exactly how El Niño will play out, but Thom says he is comfortable with lots of snow, large crowds and a high-volume seasonal operation. But first, he needs to go shopping. FBN

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MAYOR continued from page 30

The results will include faster response times with appropriate equipment and staffing, increased wildland forest management and fire mitigation, dedicated training staff and reduced stress and burnout. Proposition 405, the general obligation bond, will pay for fire and medical emergency equipment, wildland fire management equipment, fire fleet, property acquisition and construction of a seventh fire station, a wildland fire management facility, property acquisition for a fire administration facility, fire station remodeling and expansion, and fire training facility construction.

FLAGSTAFF POLICE DEPARTMENT

Police and fire call volumes have nearly doubled with very little increase in staffing. With proposition 404 funding, the Flagstaff Police Department (FPD) will hire additional sworn officers and staff. This includes records technicians, evidence supervisor, dispatch call takers, crime analyst, executive assistant, police aides, property control coordinator, training officer, detectives and patrol officers. As with the FFD, current officers will be able to train and promote into higher ranks. This proposition will also pay for annual operating and maintenance expenses for new vehicles and new or expanded facilities, criminal investigation tools and updated dispatch technology. The result will be faster response times,

EXPANSION continued from page 4

well-maintained equipment and critical dispatch technology that serves not only Flagstaff police and fire, but also surrounding fire districts, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. Proposition 405 will provide funding for new police vehicles, an incident command vehicle and expansion of the police department building and evidence warehouse

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The city has an emergency management plan for every type of emergency – informed by fire, police and surrounding first responders. The emergency manager is responsible for triggering emergency plans, coordinating disaster response efforts, ensuring the public receives timely information and activating city divisions when an emergency affects city services. Proposition 404 will help to fund three staff positions and updates to emergency management plans, equipment and supplies. Proposition 405 will fund an emergency management vehicle.

CONCLUSION AND WAYS TO LEARN MORE Because public safety is a priority, if Propositions 404 and 405 pass, current ongoing funding won’t decrease and spending development impact

fees (currently $15 million accrued) on public safety facilities will continue. Proposition 404’s sales tax enables additional staffing, while Proposition 405’s bond builds the facilities and purchases the equipment and software needed to put Flagstaff public safety in an excellent and strategic position heading for the future. Each is critical. Keeping our community safe is always top of mind for me. Readers will be glad to know that Flagstaff’s fire, airport, police and emergency management staff work closely on safety planning and all four work with regional partners on drills to ensure they’re ready for any emergency. Join the city and FUSD for a ballot open house on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Aquaplex, 1702 N Fourth St. I’ll be at Foxglenn Park Ramada 1 on Saturday Oct. 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. with representatives from police and fire if you’d like to drop in. Please join me and public safety leadership for my “Coffee with the Mayor” on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Mayan Winds, 2144 N Fourth St. FBN View the funding allocations, see an overview and all the details of both propositions, read an extensive Q&A, and review the work of the Public Safety Citizens’ Committee at publicsafetyballot.com. Becky Daggett is the mayor of Flagstaff.

SPRINTER continued from page 30

tional traction capability for drivers navigating changing road conditions. Its available high-output four-cylinder diesel engine produces 211 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

MORE THAN A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.

Of course, Northern Arizona has also helped redefine what a van can be. Spend enough time around Flagstaff, Sedona or the surrounding national forests and you will inevitably encounter Sprinter vans transformed into adventure vehicles, mountain-bike haulers, mobile base camps and highly customized travel spaces. That versatility is part of what makes the Sprinter unique. The same platform serving a contractor Monday through Friday can be configured for an entirely different lifestyle. And perhaps that is fitting for Northern Arizona. We live in a place where work and adventure often exist side by side. Where a business owner may spend Friday visiting customers and Saturday heading toward the mountains. Where our vehicles need to accommodate not only what we do, but how we live.

READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT.

Fall has always been a season of transition. In Northern Arizona, it is also a season of preparation. Before temperatures drop and winter weather arrives, it is worth asking whether your vehicle is prepared for what the next season will demand of you and your business. At Mercedes-Benz of Northern Arizona, we understand that choosing a commercial vehicle is not simply about specifications on a page. It is about finding a vehicle that works for your business, your lifestyle and the unique environment we call home. The 2026 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was built to work, adapt and keep moving. And in Northern Arizona, that is exactly what the season ahead requires. FBN

Tree campus and others will relocate to other local facilities, Heiser said. The college currently serves more than 2,000 students. That includes full- and part-time students and high school students getting dual credit for classes they take at CCC. The college serves students in far-flung Coconino County with programs here and in Williams, Page and Tuba City. Heiser, in his fourth year at CCC, said the college has improved its retention of students: from 49% to 59% in two years. CCC student Savannah Lawton shared her story That is students who return of success within the college’s nursing program. to classes each semester rather Photo by Peter Corbett than dropping out. CCC is also focused on getting more students to the finish line, with an associate’s degree for a stable career in the workforce or going on to Northern Arizona University to pursue a bachelor’s degree. A student, Savannah Lawton, shared her story of success in the college’s nursing program. She explained at the luncheon how CCC has given her a second chance to succeed after years of struggling and making bad choices. “The small classes are awesome,” she said. Lawton, 32, said things turned around for her with the birth of her daughter four years ago. “I didn’t want my past to define me,” she said. “This chapter of my life means everything to me.” Lawton said she plans to finish her nursing training at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. President Heiser said Coconino Community College “has been a bright, shining star for the past 35 years as we look forward to what the next 35 years looks like.” FBN

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

@flagstaffbusinessnews

BOOKSHOP continued from page 11

HEALTHY LIFE continued from page 22

for the exposure to all the beautiful places in Arizona, I love living in Flagstaff and the friends I have made, and I am excited about enrolling in NAU to finish my degree.” His experience illustrates something important about adventure and recovery: sometimes discovering a new place can also help you discover new possibilities for your life. What begins as a temporary change of environment can become an opportunity to develop new interests, relationships and goals.

4. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IN THE REAL WORLD

Slowing down isn’t just about spending time alone. It’s also about making space for meaningful connection. Invite a friend to walk instead of meeting for coffee. Join a hiking group. Take your family outside. Meet someone at a park instead of communicating through a screen. Shared experiences create opportunities for conversations that don’t always happen when we’re rushing from one obligation to another. For people in recovery, connection and community are especially important. At Back2Basics, outdoor experiences create opportunities for residents to work together, face challenges and build relationships. But building relationships through shared experiences is something every per-

son can benefit from. Flagstaff offers plenty of opportunities to turn outdoor time into community time.

5. START SEEING YOUR HOME THROUGH A VISITOR’S EYES

This might be the easiest one of all. Think about what visitors come to Flagstaff to experience. The trails. The forest. The mountain views. The seasons. The stars. The slower pace. How often do those things become so familiar that we stop noticing them? Try taking a day to experience Flagstaff like you’re visiting for the first time. Pick a trail you’ve never explored. Visit a local outdoor space at a different time of day. Take a scenic drive. Sit somewhere with a view and stay long enough to actually enjoy it. You don’t have to travel somewhere else to reset. You may just need to pay attention to where you already are. For families navigating addiction, finding the right environment can be an important part of the recovery journey. When previous approaches haven’t created lasting change, families may begin looking for something fundamentally different. One Back2Basics parent described their family’s experience: “We knew we had to try something very different to address our son’s ad-

diction. We tried multiple short-term, local interventions over the last few years. Every time, he would come out of treatment and relapse within two weeks. When we found Back2Basics, we felt hope. We knew he needed an environment that exposed him to the outdoors and activities he loved when he was younger. Since finishing Back2Basics, he has stayed in Flagstaff. He continues to love the proximity to Sedona, the Grand Canyon and other places he explored at Back2Basics. He is thriving and living with other Back2Basics alumni in Flagstaff.” Their experience speaks to the power of environment, connection and continued engagement with the things that make life meaningful. For some people, recovery doesn’t end when a treatment program ends. The relationships, routines, interests and sense of place developed along the way can become part of what helps support the next chapter.

A PLACE THAT GIVES US PERMISSION TO SLOW DOWN

People travel from across Arizona and around the country to experience Flagstaff’s outdoor environment. For some, that journey is part of a recovery program. At Back2Basics, residents come to Flagstaff to work on recovery while developing healthier routines through outdoor adventure, community and connection.

But you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to experience the benefits of Flagstaff. You live here. The next time you feel overwhelmed, distracted or simply in need of a reset, consider stepping outside before reaching for your phone. Take a walk. Look up. Breathe the mountain air. Notice the trees. Call a friend and invite them along. Let yourself slow down. Because one of the greatest resources for health and well-being may be the one Flagstaff residents have access to every day, the place we call home. FBN Roy DuPrez, M.Ed., is the CEO and founder of Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery in Flagstaff. He received his B.S. and M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University. Back2Basics helps men ages 18–35 recover from addiction through a combination of structured residential treatment, clinical care, outdoor adventure and life-skills development. For more information, visit www.back2basicsrecovery.com, call 928814-2220, or email rduprez@b2badventures.com.

way and reach for their own dreams, no matter how sky-high they may seem. Consider this your invitation to join co-author Dr. Ronda Beaman and me at Bright Side Bookshop at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, for what I have no doubt will be a powerful discussion, “An Evening of Tips for High-Altitude Achievement.” This Flagstaff Business News-sponsored event will include a book signing with some of the POP stars featured in our book, “Precipice of Power: A Woman’s Guide to High Altitude Achievement,” along with refreshments from Culinary Concepts Southwest. As Lisa Lamberson says, “Supporting Bright Side Bookshop means supporting a vibrant, connected community – one story, one conversation and one relationship at a time.” Reserve your spot today at https://tinyurl.com/brightsidebookshop. FBN Bonnie Stevens is the editor of FBN. She is a career journalist and public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie.stevens@ gmail.com.

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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SWEIGART continued from page 10

community. Projects have included the Orpheum and Greentree theaters; the original Magnum, Wall, Stoops and Warden building at Aspen Avenue and Elden Street; Starlight Lanes; Northern Arizona Radiology; Flagstaff Pediatrics; and numerous custom homes and remodels. She also served on the building committee and design team for the Trinity Heights Methodist Church Family/Community Life Center addition. As a full-service interior designer and owner of the interior architectural design studio SweigART Designs, Sweigart specializes in commercial and residential interiors. Her services include floor plans, electrical and lighting plans, furniture layouts and furnishings, as well as procurement. Retired physician Dr. Lawrence Richardson said Sweigart helped transform the home he shares with his wife. “My wife and I found Janet to be very approachable and personable. We are very happy with her work,” he said. “We would have been lost without her. She transformed our home into a style that we are very happy with. From the remodeling of the master and guest bathrooms to our custom staircase and stairwell, to the downstairs tile flooring, with infloor heating, custom lighting fixtures and furniture – she made it a much cleaner and modern look.”

Sweigart’s ties to Flagstaff extend well beyond her design work. She served on the NAU Alumni Association Board of Directors for eight years and is the longest-serving ambassador for the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, helping businesses connect with each other and the community. “Chamber of Commerce members sometimes come and go, but not SweigART Designs owner Janet Sweigart,” said Chamber President and CEO Julie Pastrick. “She has volunteered as a Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for 30 years. We couldn’t be happier to congratulate Janet on such an admirable milestone of volunteerism.” Sweigart was nominated for the ATHENA Award in 2017 and is a graduate of the Flagstaff Leadership Program and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Docent Program. She has volunteered with Childhelp and has been a Soroptimist member. Professionally, she is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the National Kitchen and Bath Association and is certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Looking back on more than three decades in business, Sweigart says she is particularly grateful that her career has allowed her to remain in the community she chose as a college student.

“I’m very blessed to have the different types of projects that I’ve had,” she said. “I know that has to do with my skill level but there’s also been some luck and I count my blessings for all these opportunities I’ve had here in Flagstaff. Not everyone is able to stay in Flagstaff and make a living here and I have. I feel very grateful to call Flagstaff home.” And after 33 years, she is still looking ahead. “My goal is to continue to be able to create projects and designs that I’m proud of and serve as that valuable link as a trusted liaison between the home or business owner and contractor,” she said. “It is extremely satisfying to know that my clients can enjoy and feel good in their environment.” To celebrate 33 years in business, Sweigart is offering a design consultation discount through the end of the year.

BEST PART OF THE DAY

Janet Sweigart provides commercial and residential interior design, from space and lighting plans to furniture selection and sourcing. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney

WHERE I GO TO UNWIND

I like to walk in nature, and I love the ponds out at Continental Country Club.

started playing pickleball. I love it and I think these traits all help me to keep hope to get good at it. moving forward in life. Even when there are obstacles or roadblocks, I keep moving forward, either with FAVORITE PLACES I love mountains and lakes and one of baby steps or long strides. FBN my bucket list items is to visit Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. SweigART Designs, LLC, can be reached at

SKILLS I HOPE TO MASTER

MY SUPERPOWER

Early morning. It’s my quiet time.

I’ve taken both French and Spanish classes in the past and would like to speak one or both fluently. I also just

928-526-2127 or SweigARTdesigns.com.

I’m very detail-oriented, but I also tend to see the whole picture of things. I’m also a positive person and

FLG Awarded Federal Grant to Expand Air Service

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lagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is one of 14 airports across the United States selected to receive a Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The $800,000 in federal grant funding will be used to incentivize an air carrier to provide new nonstop service to Denver or Salt Lake City. The Small Community Air Service Development Program is designed to help small communities address air service and airfare challenges. This funding will allow FLG to offer incentives to an airline providing daily service to eastern or northern markets by establishing nonstop flights to Denver or Salt Lake City. “FLG is excited to be a recipient of the SCASDP grant and eager to provide more connectivity to the Northern Arizona region. More flight options create easier opportunities for travelers and stimulate economic growth throughout our community,” said Airport Communications Manager Claire Harper. “The Small Community Air Service Development Program is unique in that it empowers communities to design solutions that reflect their specific air service needs and circumstances. FLG is ready to address Northern Arizona’s air service challenges.” Airport Director Brian Gall added, “This grant represents a major step toward strengthening regional connectivity and improving access for residents, businesses and visitors. We are committed to expanding air service that meets the needs

of our community and this funding provides a strong foundation for longterm success.” This year, 56 communities applied for SCASDP funding, collectively seeking nearly $49 million in federal financial assistance. Demand for the program was highly competitive, with up to $14 million available. All selected communities are contributing local financial resources to support their projects. FLG’s total project budget is $1,348,500, which includes $800,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation and $548,500 in in-kind contributions and community cash funding. FLG obtained letters of support from two airlines, two airports and more than 20 local community partners and elected officials. Airport officials say the airport extends its sincere appreciation to Wiseman Aviation, Nackard Companies, Katalyst Space Technologies, the City of Winslow, and Discover Flagstaff for providing critical community funding. “These partners are not only contributing financial resources but also demonstrating strong dedication to launching and sustaining additional air service at FLG,” said Harper. FLG currently has service to PHX and DFW on American Airlines. FBN For more information, contact Claire Harper, Airport Communications Manager, at Claire.Harper@flagstaffaz.gov.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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HOTEL continued from page 3

represent a broad range of hotel types, locations, price points and service levels. Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff will be positioned differently as an upper-upscale lifestyle hotel with a strong connection to NAU, downtown Flagstaff and the surrounding community. Flagstaff benefits from an impressive mix of demand generators, including NAU, year-round leisure tourism, outdoor recreation, Route 66, regional business, university-related travel, athletics, graduation and move-in periods, alumni activities and its position as a gateway to Northern Arizona’s many destinations. We also believe a distinctive property can create additional demand rather than simply compete for existing demand. Our restaurant, rooftop bar and lounge and public gathering areas will give local residents reasons to experience the property, making it as much a part of the community as it is a destination for overnight guests.

FBN: HOW MANY HOTELS DOES CAPRI OWN AND MANAGE?

O’Connell: Capri Inc. currently owns (and our management company, Capri Hospitality Management, manages) six hotels. Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff will provide us with an exciting opportunity to bring our hospitality philosophy, operating

experience and company culture to the Graduate brand.

FBN: WHAT WILL MAKE THE GRADUATE BY HILTON FLAGSTAFF STAND OUT AMONG OTHER HOTEL BRANDS IN THIS TIER?

O’Connell: One of the most compelling aspects of Graduate by Hilton is that there really isn’t a cookie-cutter Graduate hotel. Each property is designed to tell the story of the university and community surrounding it. Guests receive the strength, resources and loyalty benefits associated with Hilton while experiencing a hotel that feels distinctly local. That philosophy is particularly evident in our Flagstaff project. Our longtime design partner, Dwellings, has taken the time to immerse itself in the community and engage with the university so the design can authentically reflect Flagstaff’s personality, history and surroundings. From the interior design and artwork to the gathering spaces, restaurant, rooftop experience and smallest details, we want guests to know and feel that they are in Flagstaff. The combination of Hilton, the Graduate brand, local storytelling, thoughtful design, and Capri Hospitality Management’s operational experience is what we believe will make this property truly special.

FBN: HOW MANY ROOMS ARE PLANNED FOR THIS HOTEL?

O’Connell: The Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff is currently planned for about 143 guest rooms. The property will include a full-service restaurant of 3,500 square feet, along with a beautiful rooftop bar and lounge designed to take advantage of Flagstaff’s incredible views. The rooftop will feature food, beverages and cocktails and is being designed as an experience for both hotel guests and the local community. The hotel will also include a fitness center and thoughtfully designed public gathering areas. The property will not have traditional meeting-room space.

FBN: WHAT IS THE TOTAL INVESTMENT TO BUY THE SITE AND BUILD THE HOTEL AND PARKING GARAGE?

O’Connell: The total investment for the project will be $55 million. This represents a significant investment in downtown Flagstaff and reflects our long-term belief in the community, the strength of the market and the future of this project.

FBN: WHO IS THE ARCHITECT FOR THIS BUILDING?

O’Connell: The architect for the project is Dale Johnson of JRA Architect. Our relationship with Dale

goes back decades and we have had the opportunity to work together on numerous hotel projects over the years.

FBN: WHO IS THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR?

O’Connell: We are excited to be working with Wespac Construction of Phoenix. A development of this scale requires tremendous collaboration among ownership, construction, architecture, design, operations, the city and many other partners.

FBN: YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING BACKGROUND IN A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES AND IN THE ART WORLD. HOW HAS THAT GUIDED YOU IN RUNNING CAPRI INC.? O’Connell: Capri Inc. is a family-owned business that my grandfather started in 1908. Being a family-owned business has allowed me to use my perspective on entrepreneurship, design and developing businesses with a distinct identity to start several different business and hotel projects.

70 to 90 team members. Positions will include hotel leadership, front office and guest services, housekeeping, engineering and maintenance, culinary, restaurant and rooftop service, sales and revenue support and administrative positions. We don’t view this as simply adding 143 hotel rooms to Flagstaff. We are creating a destination within downtown Flagstaff – a hotel that reflects the personality of the community, supports NAU, creates jobs and gives visitors and residents new places to gather, dine and experience the city. We are incredibly excited to see this vision come to life and look forward to becoming an even greater part of the Flagstaff and NAU communities. FBN

FBN: HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WILL BE HIRED?

O’Connell: Based on the current design and anticipated operation, we estimate that Graduate by Hilton Flagstaff will ultimately employ about

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Nackard Pepsi Energizes Lumberjack Game Days

ackard Pepsi is bringing family-friendly fun to Northern Arizona University football game days this fall with an interactive fan zone at The Ponderosa outside the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. Starting two and a half hours before each remaining home game, fans can test their skills with a football toss, pick up a complimentary Pepsi product and get ready to cheer on the Lumberjacks. The Nackard Pepsi team also provides recycling bins as part of the Flagstaff company’s ongoing sustainability efforts. The beverage distributor has maintained a recycling program since the 1980s. “Community is at the core of Nackard Pepsi’s

heritage and mission,” said third-generation Nackard Pepsi President Palmer Nackard. “A team of employees hosts the fan zone at each home game, continuing our more than 80-year commitment to Northern Arizona.” The Ponderosa will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, before NAU takes on Montana; 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, for Portland State; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, for Weber State; and 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, for Northern Colorado. Nackard Pepsi distributes beverages throughout Northern Arizona and supports more than 450 local philanthropic causes and organizaNackard Pepsi staff members generate Lumberjack fun during football season. Courtesy photo tions annually. FBN

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121 E. Birch Avenue, Suite 408 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone 928.864.7440 Fax 928.226.0303 Email: Troy@flagstaffbusinessnews.com www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com Founder: Troy Bix Publisher Troy Bix | 928-310-9662 Troy@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Advertising Manager Linda Thein | 602-799-0583 linda@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Account Executive Regina Salas | 928-699-4272 Regina@flagstaffbusinessnews.com Editor Bonnie Stevens | 928-380-4349 bonnie.stevens@gmail.com Copy Editor Carolyn Wendell | cwendell@gmail.com Design & Production Rob Ghosh Design | rob@robghosh.com

Photography V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography, Betsey Bruner, Kay Lyons Contributing Writers Betsey Bruner, Kevin Schindler, Bonnie Stevens, Veronica Tierney, Stacey Wittig, Peter Corbett, Mary Marini, Stan Bindell Flagstaff Business News is a publication of Flagstaff Business News, LLC and is distributed free each month to residents of Flagstaff, Sedona, Williams and Winslow. Reproduction of any portion of the publication is strictly prohibited without expressed permission. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisements submitted to the newspaper and is not responsible for the claims of its advertisers.

OCTOBER 2026 // Flagstaff Business News

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SNUFFED continued from page 1

Intelligence Competition. “This recognition validates years of work by a team that includes wildland firefighters, fire scientists and university researchers who all call Flagstaff home,” said Hartman, founder of Team Snuffed and Hartbeat Engineering. “We built this system because our own community lives with the threat of wildfire every year, and we believe the same technology can help protect communities facing that threat everywhere.” XPRIZE, a nonprofit organization that runs global competitions aimed at solving major problems, created the four-year competition to accelerate technologies that detect, manage and stop wildfires before they become destructive. Team Snuffed’s plan proposes launching and analyzing data from 90 orbiting satellites. The concept landed the team in the finals, which required a live demonstration in April. For the real-time test, Team Snuffed used EmberSat, a software platform spun out of the group. It uses machine learning to analyze publicly available satellite observations over time, identifying changes that may signal a developing fire and bringing detection, ongoing fire tracking and contextual intelligence into one view. During the demonstration, EmberSat monitored about 800,000 square kilometers – more than 300,000 square miles – in New South Wales, Australia, delivering detection and fire-characterization information to XPRIZE judges through a live portal and data feeds. “The challenge is not just detecting fires quickly but minimizing false positives and making the information easy to act on,” said Alexander Shenkin, Ph.D., founder and CEO of EmberSat. “Fire managers are already juggling competing demands, often with limited staff, time and resources. EmberSat is designed to reduce their cognitive load, not add another stream of data to sort through.” The cost to implement Team Snuffed’s plan is estimated at about $100 million. However, the team cites the scale of the challenge. Wildfires cost the U.S. alone an estimated $394 billion to $893 billion annually, according to an October 2023 report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee’s Democratic Majority. Team Snuffed members believe the XPRIZE recognition will lead to more opportunities through funding, implementation, operations and trials, ultimately advancing the goal of detecting potentially devastating wildfires earlier. “Even though this is the end of the road for this XPRIZE competition for us, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road either for this problem or this team’s approach to attacking this problem,” said David Trilling, Ph.D., Team Snuffed project lead and chair of Northern Arizona University’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science. “People might look at us and say, ‘These guys are on to something. Let’s

see if we can take this to the next level,’” he added. “This milestone just increases the possibility that we might be able to do something out there.” Core team member Jason Field, DVM, an executive coach, strategic adviser and former president and CEO of W. L. Gore & Associates, credits the team’s perseverance with carrying the project to the XPRIZE finish line. “There were so many lulls in the project or opportunities to just walk away,” said Field. “It became very technology-centric and I just think it’s amazing that Cody and David stayed engaged and really found ways to address the questions that XPRIZE would bring forward and kept doing so in a way that was relevant. Before anything like this can be successful, it does take a lot of patience and perseverance and I think we saw that demonstrated in spades.” For Flagstaff, Field believes Team Snuffed also exemplifies the community’s reputation as a STEM City. “Having this material example that can generate meaningful, impactful and economic outcomes is a really big deal.”

Team Snuffed members Flagstaff Fire Battalion Chief Mike Felts, Hartbeat Engineering founder Cody Hartman, executive coach and strategic adviser Jason Field and NAU Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science Chair David Trilling are working to protect Flagstaff and help solve the worldwide problem of devastating wildfires. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

FROM WORRY TO ACTION

For Hartman, the project began not with satellites, machine learning or an international competition, but with a knock on his front door. In summer 2022, following the Pipeline Fire, a Forest Service employee arrived at Hartman’s home in Flagstaff’s Cheshire neighborhood carrying a map. She was warning residents about the post-wildfire flood risk and advising them how many sandbags they might need during monsoon season. Hartman knew the Pipeline Fire had burned 26,532 acres, but he had not fully understood what that meant for the watershed above his home. “She said we would have two feet of water at our front door if a thunderstorm happened here,” he recalled. “Everything she predicted came true, but we had enough planning time to dig a ditch and berm it up to avoid water coming into our home.” The experience left Hartman wondering how he could replace what he calls the “sinking feeling of upcoming fire season with action.” He began asking questions. He talked with neighbors who understood wildfire firsthand, including Flagstaff Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Felts and Fire Capt. Mike Allan. He wanted to know how quickly a fire could be detected and whether technology could help firefighters reach it before it exploded into a catastrophic event. The questions followed him to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport the following year, where a delayed flight to Flagstaff put him together with former neighbor Trilling, also waiting for the flight. As an astronomer, Trilling works with enormous amounts of data to detect and characterize objects like near-Earth asteroids in space. With nowhere to go, the two started creating a plan.

Team Snuffed competed using EmberSat software, shown here, which uses satellite observations to detect and track developing wildfires and provide real-time intelligence to help organizations prioritize their response. Courtesy photo

“By the time we were back in Flagstaff we pretty much had a proposal ready to submit to XPRIZE,” said Trilling. From there, Hartman kept doing what he had done from the beginning: finding people who understood different pieces of the problem and asking them questions. “For me, personally, I was stepping into a new domain,” he said. “I’m not a wildfire anything.” Firefighters and fire managers explained what they needed. Scientists brought expertise in sensing and data. Engineers considered how existing technologies could be integrated into a purpose-built system. Business leaders brought strategy and experience turning ideas into workable solutions. “We had all these amazing inputs and we just started asking questions, like, ‘How do we help you guys do

your job better?’” Hartman said of his conversations with firefighters. “And that became essentially our distinctive capability.” Hartman says the goal was never to give firefighters another complicated system demanding their attention. It was to give them better information, sooner, so they could make decisions more effectively with limited resources. “The fire captains and chiefs, they have this cognitive overload,” he said. “Mike Felts and his people are the heroes. They are the first responders in this story that we’re trying to get behind.” “This is a huge win not only for Northern Arizona, but for wildland firefighting as a whole,” said Flagstaff Fire Battalion Chief Mike Felts. “The wildfire arena has been slow to evolve from a technology standpoint, and being part of a team driven by personal

experience with wildfire impacts made this achievement even more meaningful. Our goal was to push advancements that help us better understand how to prevent catastrophic wildfires and improve the use of prescribed fire. Our team delivered exactly that.” Hartman credits XPRIZE with creating the kind of challenge that encourages people to think beyond what seems possible. But he says Team Snuffed demonstrated something he learned years ago at Gore: “You get the right people together, you can do magical things.” And for all the technology, expertise, satellites, algorithms and years of work that followed, Hartman’s motivation remains remarkably uncomplicated: “I just love the forest.” FBN

Flagstaff Business News // OCTOBER 2026

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Shining Light on Our Community We believe strong communities are built on curiosity, compassion, and connection. Our community investments fuel tourism, growth, and volunteer efforts that make Flagstaff a brighter place – without dimming the stars. We’re proud to support Lowell Observatory – bringing more visitors, educational opportunities, and star-filled experiences to Flagstaff. We also invest in local nonprofit groups, such as Camp Colton and the Shadows Foundation – organizations that inspire learning, support families, and strengthen our region. Whether we’re preserving dark skies, volunteering at community events, or helping students discover new career paths, we’re proud to energize our region. We’re helping Northern Arizona shine – one star, one student, one story at a time.

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