While many rural Arizona communities have been facing workforce challenges for years, COVID-19 highlighted the need to rethink traditional workforce practices. Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) is a demand-driven, employer-led approach to closing the skills gap; building talent supply chains aligned to dynamic business needs. Local First Arizona has been innovative in pivoting this model to focus on crisis and recovery, as well as the evolving needs of Arizona’s rural employers.

With an interest in convening as many community stakeholders as possible, the City partnered with the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, Local First AZ Rural Development Council, and the Arizona Office of Tourism to ensure an outcome that was representative of the City, its residents, its businesses, and Casa Grande’s place in Arizona as a whole.

With a focus on building opportunity for all Arizonans, Governor Ducey announced in his State of the State Address a new partnership with the Local First AZ Rural Development Council (AZRDC). Recognizing that “small business is the backbone of our economy,” the Rural Jobs Initiative will focus on getting rural Arizonans back to work while bolstering our local economies.

An interesting convergence of rural development strategies formed in the Verde Valley reveals how effective it can be when non-profit capacity, volunteerism and access to capital solutions converge to address a common rural challenge: affordable workforce housing.

If there is one Arizona town that’s sure to kindle nostalgia for an era through which you may not have even lived , its Kingman. If you’re passionate about electric cars, neon lights, and diners; or if you’re wanting to capture some unique shots for your 1950’s Insta hashtag; do yourself a favor and visit Kingman. Kingman delivers a one of a kind experience because of its ability to provide a perfect balance of both retro and modern day vibes.

According to federal statistics, Arizona’s job growth rates are flourishing - ranking our state as having the fourth fastest-growing economy in the country. The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity has supported these findings with projections of continued prosperity through 2020. Yet, in taking a closer look at the numbers, we realize the data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau is dangerously skewed by the growth of metro Maricopa County; overlooking the dire reality of rural Arizona.

If you asked me one month ago for my perception of teachers in the Arizona public school system, I would have scoffed, rolled my eyes, and launched into my usual rhetoric about my son being set up to fail, that teachers are just tired and unmotivated place-holders in a classroom full of deteriorating minds, and that my son would be better off finding a passion and focusing on that because there was no way he was going to learn anything anyway.

Earlier this month, nearly 300 rural stakeholders, leaders, and advocates convened for the 13th Annual Rural Policy Forum, hosted by the Arizona Rural Development Council (AZRDC). Representatives from all 15 counties traversed the state for the two-day conference in the White Mountains, eager to seek new solutions for building stronger, more resilient rural economies across Arizona.

The 2019 election brought new energy to many city and town councils around the state and on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, many of these newly elected officials converged at the Arizona Association for Economic Development Symposium to share their visions for their communities.

Last week, over 70 members of the Camp Verde community gathered at Thanks A’ Latte, a community hub disguised as a local coffee shop, to celebrate the official launch of the Camp Verde Grows mural on their north-facing exterior wall. The cafe was filled with artists, students, business owners, local officials, and community members who had watched the mural take life with each passing day.

Earlier this month, the Arizona Rural Policy Forum brought together diverse rural economic development professionals, local nonprofits, community leaders, business owners, and other rural stakeholders to the Town of Wickenburg. By coming together they were able to share resources, hear empowering stories of success, and talk about challenges and solutions to creating a sustainable future for rural communities.

On July 20th-22nd, the Local First Arizona Foundation brought 16 guests to Douglas, AZ to experience an arts, culture, and heritage getaway in a charming border-town. The experience quickly became a hit among our out-of-town visitors, featuring a stay in the beautiful Gadsden Hotel, local art making experiences, tours, and more.

The Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GCOT) is an annual conference that brings together travel professionals and destination marketers for educational and networking opportunities. Each year at the GCOT Gala dinner, seven awards are presented for a variety of outstanding contributions to tourism around the state.