Strategic Plan Development for Town of Camp Verde
August 2021 Update
Local First Arizona held focus groups along with conducting online surveys and one-on-one interviews for the four strategic priorities that were identified by the steering committee throughout June and July 2021. The outcomes of each group include:
Workforce Development + Workforce Housing
Quality of life:
Camp Verde needs to strategically position itself to be able to offer a variety of career opportunities within all different industries and company sizes through a focus and commitment to a quality of life that will attract and retain employers and talent.
Cost & Availability of Housing:
Camp Verde needs to focus on quick solutions to address the short-term problem related to housing.
Balanced Growth:
Camp Verde needs to focus on sustainable development that promotes interconnected green space and mixed-use development. Partnerships should be used to support growth that protects historic, cultural, and environmental resources.
Open Spaces and Trails | Strategies to implement the Urban Upland Trail Plan:
Explore funding options (grants, partnerships & general fund)
Organize a CAMP VERDE trail advocacy group to help build, maintain, & assist with UUTS
Develop and implement an URBAN trail signage program
Create a marketing and branding program to promote UUTS
Develop design and maintenance standards for the urban portion of UUTS
Assist with Verde Trail and Access Plan as it related to Camp Verde
Plan and implement trail expansion in Jackson Flat and White Hills
Develop trail networks in Parsons Riverfront Preserves and Homestead Park
Connect community to built systems of non-motorized, multi-use trails and pathways
Develop trailheads at Oasis (Town), Grief Hill (PNF) and Jackson Flat (CNF)
Quality of Life
After analyzing both qualitative and quantitative input, the definition of quality of life to those in Camp Verde could be summarized as:
The level of ease with which we can connect to our surroundings.
Incorporated in this statement are key priorities that were identified by the community:
Human connectivity: knowing one another, small-town values, waves, and supporting your neighbor
Transportation connectivity: the ability to walk and/or drive to your destination without congestion or stress from traffic or other obstacles
Technology connectivity: access to internet and phone service that helps to connect to resources and people outside the community
Connection to the outdoors: protection, appreciation, and stewardship of the trails, rivers, dark skies, and landscapes of Camp Verde
Connection to resources: the ability to make a good living, afford a comfortable home, and purchase healthy food
Business Attraction
Current limitations:
Housing
Infrastructure
Technology
Lack of Awareness of the Area
Anti-Growth Mentality
Businesses Camp Verde would like to attract:
Medical supply/medical centers
Outdoor recreation store
Clothing essentials
Health/wellness food stores
Light manufacturing- higher-paying jobs
Farm to Table Restaurants
Food hub
Beverage supply chain
Regional Visitors Center
As a next step, the steering committee will be reconvened to review specific strategies, tactics, and accountability for each strategic area.
Focused on Success is scheduled to be completed in October 2021.
“When asked ‘What is one thing you would like to tell community leaders that would improve the community for youth’, one child responded ‘Keep going’.”
Where It All Began:
The Town of Camp Verde has a sustained partnership with its energy provider, Arizona Public Service (APS), to assist with community and economic development efforts. As part of this partnership, APS has worked with the community several times through its Focused Future program. Focused Future was developed by APS to provide local communities technical assistance in developing a grassroots strategic plan. The next step of this program - Focused on Success - is a more targeted strategic planning effort focused on driving responsible and sustainable growth, utilizing both traditional and non-traditional development initiatives.
Local First Arizona believes wholeheartedly that content is best when collaborative, and input from those who live and work in the town is necessary in order to capture the most authentic, true vision and goals of a community.
As a first step in the development of Focused on Success, Local First Arizona met with a steering committee that was identified by the Town of Camp Verde to understand the priorities of residents in the community. The key areas that were identified as most critical would become the outline for upcoming conversations and key focus groups. The four priority areas that were identified included:
Workforce Development + Workforce Housing
Open Spaces and Trails
Quality of Life
Business Attraction
These focus groups would be convened to further outline challenges, opportunities, and strategies within each focus area. This input would then become the framework for the strategic plan.
