January 2022 by Quad Cities Business News

INSIDE THE JANUARY 2022 ISSUE: Scientists Hopeful for Gentler Coronavirus p. 3

Verde Wines Gain Status p. 9

Microchip Industry Manufacturer Growing p. 4

Prescott Valley Focuses on Conservation, Jobs p. 10

New Jail Brings New Jobs p. 6

Community Profile: Jeff D’Arpa On Board with Fun p. 12

Interstate 17 Improvement Project to Begin this Spring T

By Ray Newton, QCBN

hose who frequently travel Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff understand the frustration of being held up in traffic, sometimes for hours, because of an accident, weather, a wildfire or other situation. However, those delays may be resolved in about three years. Following several years of environmental and design studies, the Ari-

zona Department of Transportation has approved a $446 million project to improve I-17 between Sunset Point on the north to Anthem Way traffic interchange on the south. The 23-mile improvement project is expected to begin in April or May. The contract has been awarded to Fann Contracting in Prescott and co-developer Kiewit Engineering Group Inc., one of North America’s largest engineering and construction

organizations. The developer team will go by the acronym KFJV, for Kiewit-Fann Joint Venture team. Several other sub-contractors are also part of the contract. The interstate to be improved is in mountainous terrain in Maricopa and Yavapai Counties. I-17 is viewed as the primary connection between Flagstaff and Interstate 40 (I-40), which runs east and west in the north, and Interstate

10 (I-10) in Phoenix, which also runs east and west. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the I-17 link between two of the nation’s principal east-west highways is critical because it carries well over a million travelers each year. It is the most important highway between the greater metropolitan Phoenix area and communities in Northern Arizona. Continued on page 39

Entrepreneur Creating Wing Space for New Endeavor Former WingSpace owner planning tours, workshops, products at Fruition Farmstead By Sue Marceau, QCBN

Entrepreneurs Melanie Banayat and Greg Fine anticipate establishing their 2.5-acre Chino Valley micro-farm, Fruition Farmstead, as a small yet sustainable enterprise to “grow and make things” with their own hands, while ultimately involving the public in small-scale, in-person farmstead experiences. Photo by Sue Marceau

January 2022 | Issue 1 Volume 10

he contrast between creating an office-sharing concept campus in downtown Prescott and establishing a micro-farm in Chino Valley may seem dramatic to the casual observer, but for Melanie Banayat and Greg Fine, the common thread is community. “Greg and I believe that community is incredibly valuable and important in the whole scheme of life, and especially during tense times like these, community is a lifesaver,” Banayat said. “Since

the two of us are capable individuals who both love growing food, we really liked the idea of spending our time bringing people together in an agricultural venue that is functional on many levels.” For more than three years, Banayat has operated WingSpace, “an entrepreneurial ecosystem” offering furnished, amenity-rich workspace to freelancers, small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profits and remote workers supporting one another. Now, she joins husband Fine as co-owner, co-grower and co-community builder of

Fruition Farmstead in Chino Valley. The couple envisions their 2.5-acre micro-farm as a small yet sustainable enterprise to “grow and make things” with their own hands, while ultimately involving the public in small-scale, in-person farmstead experiences. “Our vision includes tours where people can pick their own fresh food, herbs and flowers straight from the garden on specific days and times of the week,” Banayat explained. “We’ll host smallscale how-to classes for adults and students and small farmContinued on page 39

WHO ARE YOUR WINNERS? f o Best ESS Your votes have been counted! See who you chose

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Next Generation Tools Lessening Pandemic Impact Scientists hopeful that evolution and technology will tame COVID-19

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

s the highly contagious omicron variant appears to be outpacing the delta strain in the United States, one of Arizona’s leading infectious disease scientists says the endgame for human coronaviruses in the past has been to become more contagious but make us less sick. Thus, the evolutionary character of COVID-19, together with “next generation” tools, have scientists optimistic that we are better able to treat the disease and guard against severe illness than ever before. “One of the great next generation technologies is this sequencing capability for genetic material,” said Dr. Dave Engelthaler, director of the Translational Genomics Research Institute’s disease branch. “We look at the RNA and DNA of infectious diseases. By studying the genomics of this virus from the very beginning, we’ve been watching it evolve and seeing new mutations that might lead to new variants. Essentially, they would mutate to a way that they could transmit faster, maybe not cause more serious disease, but maybe start to evade some antibodies. We thought we had the winner of the-survival-ofthe-fittest race with delta – that thing transmits really fast and it replaced all other strains around the globe – and then omicron pops up on Thanksgiving Day.” In Yavapai County, health officials continue to report a high transmission rate. Yavapai County Community Health Services Assistant Director Carol Lewis stated there were 301 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in mid-December. Yavapai Regional Medical Center had 71 COVID patients, Verde Valley Medical Center had 21 and the Veterans Administration had five patients. “This omicron variant does seem to transmit a lot faster. But It doesn’t seem to cause any more serious illness; in fact, there’s growing evidence that it may be milder,” said Engelthaler. “We’re

// The good news, he says, is that all the other human coronaviruses have become more easily transmitted but cause milder symptoms. “Most people just get a cold. We might be moving in that direction, which could be the silver lining behind this whole dark cloud of omicron.” //

Dr. David Engelthaler

watching that closely to see if it is really going to replace delta and keep this pandemic going, or are we building up enough immunity now to really help slow that down and maybe get to a post-pandemic, what we call an endemic phase, with this particular virus.” The good news, he says, is that all the other human coronaviruses have become more easily transmitted but cause milder symptoms. “Most people just get a cold. We might be moving in that direction, which could be the silver lining behind this whole dark cloud of omicron.” Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for the first antiviral pill called Paxlovid for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms in high-risk patients. In addition, the vaccines that have been developed during the pandemic are providing a “giant antibody boost and a good cellular response” to prevent a life-threatening infection, he says; however, their effectiveness drops over time. “That’s why we have boosters out. And we do hope that the boosters will get your antibodies back up to the same levels that they were when you first got vaccinated and help you from either getting infected or having any kind of a serious infection with omicron,” said Engelthaler. He recommends that those who are most vulnerable – the elderly and those with any type of immune deficiency – get the booster shot, “probably once a year.” And that everyone else receive a booster shot six to 12 months after vaccinations. “It’s not a bad idea just to keep your antibody levels up high and if we do that, we’re going to keep moving to this endemic phase where now we just have another virus that we can deal with. Just another cold.” QCBN For more from Dr. Engelthaler, visit Zonie Living: Business, Adventure and Leadership at starworldwidenetworks.com

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Pure Wafer Planning Major Expansion

By Ray Newton, QCBN

upply chain shortages, coupled with the two-year-old pandemic, have intensified the worldwide demand for microchips. Officials with Pure Wafer Inc. in Prescott have reacted to that increasing need by expanding their company through the purchase of Noel Technologies. Pure Wafer is the nation’s largest U.S.-based supplier of silicon wafer solutions and services to the global semiconductor manufacturing industry. S. Mark Borowicz, CEO of Pure Wafer, which owns its 44,000-squarefoot manufacturing plant in Prescott, told Quad Cities Business News of the Nov. 16 acquisition of the Silicon Valley-based company. He said the investment will let Pure Wafer expand and provide even further value to its customer base of 1,600 Integrated device manufacturers (IDMs} and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Pure Wafer has clients throughout the U.S., Asia, Middle East and Europe. Located in San Jose, California, Noel Technologies is in the same city where Pure Wafer operates another fabrication plant similar to the one in Prescott. Borowicz explained that because of

processes provided by Noel Technologies, Pure Wafer can now leverage its several unique strengths to new growth applications such as wafers deposited with thin films, wafer standards, opto-acoustic micro-phones, flexible electronics, micro-array mirrors and Lab to Fab approach. “We are even more well-positioned to address reclaim growth as the No. 1 reclaimer in the U.S,” he said. A recent report based on information supported by the Arizona Office of the Governor indicated that as a state, Arizona was leading the nation in economic and workforce development programs. Arizona has emerged as the No.1 place for new semiconductor investments. It recently was dubbed “U.S. Semiconductor Central.” Ardy Sidhwa, Pure Wafer vice president of operations, said that the company will expand its production of premium grade silicon wafers, ranging from 50mm to 300mm. “For more than 20 years, the company has invested in advancing technologies that established it as a trusted source for silicon wafer solutions for OEMs and IDMs,” he said. The semiconductor industry is now a $500 billion industry worldwide. The Prescott plant employs more than 125 people and is constantly seeking new

S. Mark Borowicz qualified employees. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sidhwa said the original Prescott wafer plant was founded in 1998 and operated independently until it was acquired by Pure Wafer in 2007. It is located at 2575 Melville Road, east of the Prescott Regional Airport (PRC).

Ardy Sidhwa The executives noted that adding Noel Technologies will bring these values to customers: N Expand the product portfolio through multi-layer and single-layer processes; N Provide customers with a domestic source for high-volume blanket thin-

film coatings capacity; N Further addraess non-semiconductor markets with exotic dielectric and metal films; N Provide core process and design optimization capabilities. “We are thrilled to support Mark Continued on page 38

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Jail Project Moving Closer to Completion

By Ray Newton, QCBN

onstruction work on the new Prescott Criminal Justice Center (PCJC) located on Prescott Lakes Parkway is nearly 45% complete. Meanwhile, the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors has approved a $1,368,731 expenditure to staff the facility. David McAtee, Yavapai County public information officer for the Board of Supervisors, told Quad Cities Business News that the PCJC is on target and on budget, and should be completed on schedule, barring any major supply chain issues or unexpected complications. Described as the most costly county project the county has ever launched, the $63.1 million PCJC will include a complex of interconnecting buildings, some multi-story, that includes two courtrooms, a 152-bed jail and a Connections Center, which will serve as a site for providing resources for inmates who will be released to re-enter the community. “We’re rather proud of this plan,” McAtee said. “It’s a new concept and is being viewed within the state as the Yavapai County System for handling county judicial matters. McAtee said the county anticipates

the PCJC will be operative near the end of fall 2022. McAtee was echoed by Nicholas Schnabel, the project superintendent for the contractor Hensel-Phelps. Schnabel, who had experience as project coordinator for construction of the Maricopa County Jail located on Durango Street in Phoenix, said the facilities in Prescott are unique. He noted that because it has all the multiple services in one place, PCJC is distinctly different and being observed carefully. Current plans are that the PCJC will be the jail for inmates with short-term stays, 14 days or so. Longer-term inmates will be at the Camp Verde jail, which has 664 beds. Inmates with terms of more than a year likely will be sent to a prison in the state. Recently named YC BOS chairwoman Mary Mallory has said she is proud the project is moving forward.

NEW EMPLOYEES NEEDED

The 24% increase in prisoner capacity because of the addition of the PCJC means the operational budget will increase from $21 million to $26.7 million. Those dollars will cover the costs of 34 new jail employees from January to June 2022. The new posi-

tions are in addition to the 15 detention officers that the BOS approved at its meeting in July 2021. Among the new jobs are: jail commander, detention lieutenant, business manager, seven detention sergeants, six detention officers, 15 detention support specialists, a project coordinator and two background investigators. More positions will be added later in 2022. The National Institute of Corrections Staffing model recommends that a corrections center of this size needs at least 107 positions to operate. Many of those positions will be transfers from other county sites. Job applicants are being sought in an extensive recruiting campaign that includes job fairs, the internet and billboards. In order to keep the public updated about progress on the project, the county has created a website, which includes videos of key county personnel telling of the long-term need for a new facility and how extensive planning has occurred. Sheriff Scott Mascher describes how initial planning for a new jail began at least 10 years ago. Mascher praises the idea of having courtrooms and jails and the Connection Center in Prescott, say-

Construction on the Prescott Criminal Justice Center located on Prescott Lakes Parkway is almost at the hallway point. The $63.1 million facility is expected to open in late fall. Photos by Ray Newton

ing it will save the county thousands of dollars in transportation costs. “I really think it’s important that people understand the history of this project,” said immediate past BOS chairman Craig Brown. “There’s a long history to it, there was long-term planning and it’s coming about now when it is needed.” QCBN

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Granite Creek Corridor Improvements Delayed

By Ray Newton, QCBN

ong-anticipated improvements along the Granite Creek Corridor will be delayed for at least a year because bids for the requested construction came in substantially higher than what had been originally estimated. Instead of beginning the improvement project last October, initial construction now likely won’t begin until October 2022, with completion anticipated in April 2023. Only two bids were submitted, one by Asphalt Paving and Supply for $2.55 million, the other from Fann Contracting Inc., for $3.4 million. Both were significantly higher than the original $1.9 million cost estimate. Bids were received by the City of Prescott and presented to the City Council on Oct. 26. Tyler Goodman, assistant to the city manager, told Quad Cities Business News that costs were higher because construction and materials costs and supply chain issues had increased dramatically during the past several months. City officials commented that higher estimates on many bid requests are not unusual at this time, and in some cases, costs had increased by as much as 30% to

40%, they said. “We’ll have to go out to bid again,” Goodman said. “That most likely will take place in late spring or early summer 2022. We’ll be submitting this bid request again through the city’s budget process and will have to receive continued City Council support.” Another complication is the $500,000 grant the city had applied for through the Land & Water Conservation Fund in 2021 will be delayed until the 2022 round for grants. Goodman said he and City Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes will pursue that grant request opportunity again and believe they can ask for even more than a half-million dollars.

WHAT CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS WILL INCLUDE

For years, city personnel and local groups have considered Granite Creek Corridor, the riverbed that runs through the center of downtown Prescott, as a potential destination in itself, like a miniature riverwalk, similar to the one in San Antonio. When complete, it is expected to include better overhead lighting, new signage, Greenway Trails and

Planned improvements along the Granite Creek Corridor in downtown Prescott are delayed until October because bids for corridor construction were much higher than estimates had predicted. Photo by Ray Newton

improved trail surfaces, better access for those with physical disabilities and major improvements to creek channels. Goodman said several groups and organizations have been involved in

planning corridor improvements. They include the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Public Service, Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott Creeks, City Tourism Advisory Committee, Northern Arizona Council of

Governments, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. QCBN

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Business Woman QCBN

of the Month

Camp Verde Mayor Focused on Sustainability By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN

hiseled deep in Dee Jenkins’ memory is the impact that Bill and Genevieve (Vieve) Gore, founders of W. L. Gore & Associates, had on her life. She credits them for her successful career and current position as mayor of Camp Verde. “I would not be the person I am today without their support and encouragement,” she said. “The Gores opened the door for me,” said Jenkins, who was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland. “Soon after I applied for a position with W. L. Gore & Associates headquarters in Newark, Delaware [20 miles from her hometown], Bill and Vieve Gore hired me. I was 17 and had just graduated high school.” It was also three days before her 18th birthday, in October 1970. “I will never forget the day Vieve called me and asked if I could come to work the next day,” recalled Jenkins. “I was scared because I didn’t want to lose the job because I couldn’t work until the following Monday when I turned 18. My dream was to attend college, but I was already out on my own and needed a job.” What followed was a 31-year career with the global enterprise. “I started out as an invoicing clerk, using a typewriter, not a computer, and by the late 1970s, worked up to the corporate accountant position,” Jenkins said. “Eventually, due to personal circumstances, I transferred to Flagstaff. The medical division of W. L. Gore was just starting. It was 1980.” Jenkins settled in to the position of financial analyst and eventually moved up to a plant leader before leaving the company in 2001. “I walked through the door and persevered, but they gave me the opportunity,” said Jenkins. “If you took the opportunity, it was endless where you could go in that corporation. If you showed up for work and did a good job, the benefits were there.” In 1982, Jenkins married her husband, Clif, and in 1997, moved to Camp Verde. “I love the beauty of the mountains in Flagstaff, but I got a little tired of the cold months,” said Jenkins, who loves being outdoors. For four years, Jenkins commuted from Camp Verde to Flagstaff and left

W. L. Gore as an associate in 2000. She worked briefly as a consultant, ending her career there in 2001. That same year, she found an open door at Quintus Inc., a manufacturing plant that reminded her of the Gore culture. “I ended up reinstalling Quintus, Inc., computer systems, reconfiguring the systems to fit their business needs and priced and costed all their products. I started in 2002 as a full-time employee and, today, continue to do part-time consulting.” Adding to her professional list of achievements, Jenkins became general manager of operations and chairman of the board of directors at Quintus Inc., and moved the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which equates to an employer-owned company. Insisting that she is not a “political person,” she felt compelled to run for Camp Verde City Council. “I wanted to understand how things work and then offer my opinion on how we can do things better when dealing with the public, the community and its citizens.” Jenkins served on the council for four years. “When my seat expired, I had a choice: either run for council again for four years or run for mayor, which is a two-year term. My husband and I made a pros and cons list and I decided to run for mayor.” Elected as mayor in 2020, one of Jenkins’ top mayoral goals is to build relationships, not only within Camp Verde but with neighboring communities as well. “We can work together to sustain this beautiful valley we live in. An example of working together for the betterment of our community is this year’s Earth Day video with Yavapai-Apache Chairman Jon Huey.” Using funds wisely is also a top priority for Jenkins. “We finally closed the deal on purchasing the Camp Verde Water Company, which has been in the works for decades. This is security for citizens here. Ownership of the wells and delivery of water equates to water security for our citizens and future developers.” Excitedly, Jenkins talked about the Camp Verde Equestrian Center, a 39-acre multi-use facility that just hosted the Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo. “That’s a really big deal,” she said.

Mayor Dee Jenkins, a former associate with W. L. Gore, says the town recently purchased the Camp Verde Water Company and its wells to provide security for community residents. Jenkins has lived in Camp Verde for more than 20 years.Photos by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

“I’ve known Dee since she moved to Arizona from Delaware. She’s one of the smartest people I know,” said retired W. L. Gore Associate Ken Moll, a member of the Quintas, Inc., board of directors. “She always knows the right questions to ask the people who are supposed to have the answers, plus she has a very big heart and cares deeply about the community in Camp Verde, her family and the people she works with.” While living in Flagstaff, Jenkins lived in Doney Park and for many years was treasurer of Black Bill Water Company, a volunteer position. She is also past president of Northern Arizona Horsemen’s Association (NAHA). “I’m so proud to live in the Verde Valley and the diversity of the people who live and work here and how we’re able to work together, along with the Yavapai-Apache Nation, which has multiple locations within the Town of Camp Verde.” With two grown sons, Jenkins’ youngest lives in Camp Verde and, ironically, commutes to Flagstaff, where he is employed at W. L. Gore & Associates. She has two granddaughters, 14 and 22 years of age. QCBN

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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Verde Valley Wines Receive ‘American Viticultural Area’ Status

fter six years of study, The U.S. Treasury Department has named Arizona’s Verde Valley an American Viticultural Area (AVA), elevating the Valley’s $56 million wine industry to the same status as Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley and other well-known wine-producing regions. According to the Treasury Department’s Tax and Trade Bureau, an AVA is a grape-growing region with geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from surrounding areas and affect how grapes are grown. Labeling local wines with the Verde Valley AVA designation certifies that the unique taste produced by the soils, grape growers and vintners of the region is found within every bottle. Tom Schumacher of the Verde Valley Wine Consortium says AVA status is critical because “consumers often seek out wines from specific AVAs.” He added that Verde Valley wines will stand out in the marketplace, command higher prices and attract aficionados. “Definitely a reason to cheer for

Verde Valley grape growers and winemakers,” Schumacher said. A critical reason for the Verde Valley’s success is reported to be the expertise of local winemakers in improving their art to reflect the Valley’s unique conditions. In addition, the Southwest Wine Center, an industry-scale model of a working farm/winery with a 13-acre sustainable vineyard at Yavapai College in Clarkdale, contributes with highly trained homegrown vintners and viticulturists. SWC graduates operate about a quarter of the area’s two dozen vineyards. “The AVA designation is also excellent news for the ‘dispersal’ concept of sustainable tourism,” said Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau President and CEO Candace Carr Strauss. “Dispersal means sending visitors to newer areas of interest to ease pressure on popular spots and balance economic impact.” “The Verde Valley AVA can easily entice travelers to Sedona to try a completely different experience just a stone’s throw away,” she added.

“The libations and hospitality of the popular Verde Valley Wine Trail and the Valley’s fertile landscape along Oak Creek and the Verde River can generate more overnight stays and spawn new attractions, making the ‘dispersal’ concept a reality.” Verde Valley wine country also contributes to Sedona’s growing reputation for sustainability, with many wineries certified by the Arizona Sustainability Alliance. At Clear Creek Winery in Camp Verde, herbs and peas reduce erosion and add nitrogen. Free-ranging chickens eat insects, domestic geese chew up weeds, and two Great Pyrenees dogs keep raccoons at bay. Page Springs Cellars vineyards in Cornville are no-till, meaning they don’t disturb the soil which releases carbon. Solar panels produce 75% to 85% of the electricity and wastewater runs through biological filters to an artificial wetland, supporting local flora. AVA status is the second time in recent months Verde Valley wines have been in the national spotlight. In August, the Valley was named a “Top

The Verde Valley’s new wine industry status puts it on par with other well-known wine producing regions. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

Ten Winegrowing Region” in the USA Today Readers’ Choice poll. The U.S. Treasury Department says there are 260 established AVAs in the United States. Arizona has

three. The Verde Valley is the only one in the North-Central region; the Willcox and Sonoita Valley AVAs are in Southern Arizona. QCBN

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New Prescott Valley Town Manager Describes Objectives

By Ray Newton, QCBN

n the past six months, Gilbert Davidson, recently named manager for the Town of Prescott Valley (PV), has met with many leaders in the greater area. “I am impressed with what I have found. It is gratifying to work with the professional personnel employed by the Town of Prescott Valley who have such a high level of experience and knowledge,” he said. “It’s exciting to be on a leadership team with such a strong focus on service to the community. I also know this: Prescott Valley is a unique place in Arizona where people really want to make their home.” One of Davidson’s first actions when he arrived was to organize a series of workshops and study sessions with key town employees and staff members so they could collectively define and focus on the town’s mission and vision for the next several years. “Given my prior experience as town manager in Marana for 12 years, until November 2017, I am quite comfortable with my role in PV. It is gratifying to find that PV has such a progressive and positive view,

even with the chaos created by the pandemic. I do think this: the pandemic has changed the way we work. It made us look at our work priorities and responsibilities and figure out which are the most important. It also made us realize we can be effective in doing our jobs in non-traditional ways and locations.The key thing [is] identifying and prioritizing tasks that are absolutely necessary to keep the system moving forward. Tied to that [is] fulfilling absolutely our legal and ethical responsibilities to taxpayers who pay us.” During those sessions when town personnel determined strategies, Davidson said they established four major focal points that members of the town team will endorse: N Exceptional service to constituents. Work on anticipating and solving issues so that recipients of town services know they are receiving the best that can be delivered within the circumstances. N Acknowledge the critical water crisis. Must put more emphasis upon safe yield, water conservation and protecting water resources from inappropriate exploitation. N Sustain and protect community

Gilbert Davidson, the recently named Prescott Valley Town Manager, calls Prescott Valley one of the most desirable communities in Arizona. Photo by Kay Lyons

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APS supports the hungry and homeless through food drives like this one at a westside Prescott Walmart shopping center last month. Photo by Ray Newton

APS Feeds Hungry, Shelters Homeless

By Ray Newton, QCBN

or some in Central and Northern Arizona, APS provides much more than electricity. The largest electric utility in Arizona, APS contributes more than $10 million annually to community organizations and programs to help those in need of food and/or shelter. “Combatting hunger and ensuring food security are important focus areas within one of our strategic pillars - human needs and services,” said APS Director of Community Affairs Tina Marie Tentori. “For example, our giving programs support many different organizations in the greater Prescott and Flagstaff area. Of those organizations that address hunger and homelessness, APS gives to Prescott Meals on Wheels, the Coalition for Compassion and Justice, Prescott U.S. Vets, Flagstaff Shelter Services, Flagstaff Family Food Center and Housing Solutions for Northern Arizona.” She added that APS also contributes to Habitat for Humanity, United Way, the Area Agency for Aging and Big Brothers Big Sisters in these same communities.

She noted that APS employees statewide have contributed more than $44,000 to the Arizona Food Bank Network, which provides more than 4.6 million pounds of food, or 3.6 million meals. Tentori also commented that APS donates more than $10 million annually to qualified organizations and programs that are dedicated to improving the lives of Arizonans. APS Media Relations Manager Jill Hanks serves on the board for the Ronald McDonald House of Central and Northern Arizona. She says the houses served 138 families from four counties who received 1,915 nights of housing valued at $107 a night through the collective efforts of those who contributed to the organization. Hanks notes a key program that APS supports through the Ronald McDonald House of Central and Northern Arizona is “Dinnertime Heroes,” which provides meals for these families. Those interested may apply for various forms of support. Applications must be filed from Feb.1 to Oct. 15. More information about the community impact grants can be found on the APS website, aps.com. QCBN

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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

Jeff D’Arpa is the Man Behind the Adventure Grand Canyon Railway general manager enjoys working where others play

oing to work in places where he could play is what Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel General Manager Jeff D’Arpa had in mind while growing up, and that’s exactly what happened. With ski resorts, national parks, hotels and now the Polar Express and Grand Canyon Railway in his professional queue, D’Arpa has completed 25 years with the Xanterra Travel Collection. In his new position as Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel General Manager, D’Arpa oversees 280 to 340 employees and said, “The team I work with is outstanding and makes this a manageable assignment. To be able to incorporate trains and hospitality at this scale is a unique opportunity and I cherish the challenge it provides me.” D’Arpa’s career began at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, where he began working in the ski shop. “My goal was to manage a ski or golf resort,” he said. Again his dream was fulfilled as he stepped into the role of

restaurant manager at Deer Valley. When the snow melted, D’Arpa took off to work at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as a food server in the summers. He stayed busy hiking the Grand Canyon trails and climbing the corporate ladder. Starting as a food server for Xanterra Travel Collection in 1996, D’Arpa was able to work his way up to management. He served as regional general manager of Zion National Park in Utah, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park before becoming director of resort operations at the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams. Chief Parks Officer Gordon Taylor has worked alongside D’Arpa for many years. “He certainly has integrity, intelligence and the energy to get things done. I am a very lucky man to have the honor to call Jeff both a teammate and a friend.” Along with his responsibilities at the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel,

Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel General Manager Jeff D’Arpa says actors are a key part of the experience. Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography

D’Arpa also oversees the Grand Hotel in Tusayan and the Tusayan Trading Post. Born in Yonkers, New York, where he spent his formative years, D’Arpa moved to Florida when he was

16. While working at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, D’Arpa would visit Flagstaff in the mid ‘90s. “I always enjoyed the atmosphere, lifestyle and community. I also had some great friends from back East relocate to

Flagstaff, making our transition to the area quite easy.” Married to Lisa, the couple has two daughters and spends their free time hiking, skiing and cycling. D’Arpa also Continued on page 38

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

@quadcitiesbusinessnews

2022 Working with thousands of high achievers, author and executive coach Shasheen Shah has noticed the shared inner struggles that thwart the ability of successful people to reach their next level. He offers emotional mastery guidance in his new book, “The Kid and the King.” Courtesy photo

Minimizing Workplace Drama in the New Year Executive coach Shasheen Shah offers steps to approach triggering events with intended outcomes

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

hile skiing at Alta Ski Area, Shasheen Shah found himself caught in a small avalanche caused by a skier-released snowslide that funneled through the chute he had just skied. “I never saw it coming. It launched over the rockface and landed on me like wet concrete. Within seconds, it felt like I was buried alive and then swept me down the slope. I was disoriented. I didn’t know which way was up or down. I didn’t have light and I couldn’t breathe. Panic.” In his new book, “The Kid and the King: The Hidden Inner Struggle High Achievers Must Conquer to Reignite and Reengage with Life,” Shah compares this real-life physical experience with how we feel when we experience an emotional avalanche. “The amygdala gets hijacked and the kid takes over,” he writes. “The goal here is to develop the presence of mind and become an observer during the real-time event as the king so that you can take appropriate action that’s consistent with a desired outcome rather than doing something that would move you closer to danger.” In the case of the avalanche on a mountain in Utah, Shah was able to move past the panic to a calmer place where he could figure out that he was on his side and could pop his head out of the snow in the right direction to find oxygen. As CEO of Coherent Strategies Consulting and Coaching, Shah helps high achievers reach business and personal goals by helping them through the emotional mastery process. He maintains that we all have this duality with the kid and the king inside us. The goal of developing emotional mastery, he says, is to acknowledge both personalities, understand how they’ve helped us arrive at our current level of success and then use tools to move ourselves to a better quality of life, professionally and personally. He says when we, associates or employees become “triggered,” our kid takes over, which can wreak havoc on the situation, get in the way

“The Kid and the King: The Hidden Inner Struggle High Achievers Must Conquer to Reignite and Reengage with Life” is available in paperback and audiobook through Amazon. Courtesy photo

of productivity and resourcefulness and cause us to lose sight of our intended outcome. He offers the acronym OCEAN, which breaks down any situation into five key components to guide us through steps when confronted with a situation that makes us want to react out of emotion. O is for Observation. “What we want to actually address is what were the facts,” he says. Report the facts of the triggering incident without adding adjectives or opinions. “Note who was there and what was said, but don’t get hung up on interpretations. Often this step alone diffuses the intensity of the situation.” C is for Conclusion. “There are a ton of factors that condition our experience and we often jump to conclusions.” Shah suggests that we take a moment to understand how much of our own experiences and opinions get mixed in with the conclusions we reach. E is for Emotion. “What feeling resulted from your conclusion? If I concluded somebody was being reckless and disrespectful to me when he cut me off in traffic, I might feel anger.” A is for Action. “If I’m a road rager, I Continued on page 36

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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// BUSINESS CENTS // BY BONNIE STEVENS

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By Bonnie Stevens

n a typical “bluebird” winter day on Arizona’s highest mountain, expert skiers like Lynda Fleischer greet the crystal clear bluest-of-blue sky with a huge smile to the heavens after a night of fresh-fallen snow. “This is where I belong,” she said. “The mountain is part of who I am. It makes me who I am. It makes me better. It makes me powerful and in control. It makes me feel alive.” Fleischer found the majestic San Francisco Peaks when she arrived at Northern Arizona University, where she earned her communications degree. For three ski seasons, she sold lift tickets at Arizona Snowbowl and fell in love with the mountain, her alpine family and the culture of the sport. In those especially snowy winters, she knew she had found her calling. She has trained thousands of people to ski. “The little racers show me what really matters on the mountain – fun!” She has served as the executive director of the Flagstaff Alpine Ski Team for 14 years. “I was honored with running the team that hosted all of my best friends’ kids and my youngest as well.” And she has nourished locals and visitors for nearly two decades in her Altitudes Bar and Grill. This lean, nimble, fast, smart, skilled and sunny triple black-diamond force is fueled by gratitude. For her, every day is a new opportunity to soak up her blessings, engage whole-heartedly with others, and find beauty, meaning, abundance, laughter and fulfillment in nature. And, no matter how many times Lynda clips into her skis, there is a radiance about her that cannot be denied. She has come to play. Her favorite trail on Snowbowl’s technical alpine playground is Flat Iron, a black diamond run starting at an 11,280-foot elevation with a vertical drop of nearly 250 feet. “Flat Iron is steep and always intimidating,” she said. “I feel strong, capable and conquering when I’m on it. I get the best rush. When you unweight from one ski to transfer your weight to the other, you drop three feet at the top of the run. I

// “I prefer to face things that I’m fearful of head on and that’s why I like Flat Iron. I make every turn count and finish every turn. I consider it a privilege to be on that mountain and at 62, I continue to push myself.” //

like that feeling. I like to be in control of that.” For Lynda, the mountain has been her workplace for four decades. It’s also her home base and her church, where she feels closest to God. It’s where she builds her strength. “I don’t like to be afraid of anything, and I try not to be,” she said. “I prefer to face things that I’m fearful of head on and that’s why I like Flat Iron. I make every turn count and finish every turn. I consider it a privilege to be on that mountain and at 62, I continue to push myself.” Lynda can be described as both hummingbird and wrestler. She is in constant motion as she lightly flutters about her day, but also, solid and balanced in her stance. “I’m not going down. I used to let things bother me – I’ve been beaten up, swallowed and hurt. But now, I let things go that I can’t do anything about. In my world, I realize I can’t fix everything. That understanding helps me to breathe, stay grounded and resilient.” To breathe in some of Lynda’s contagious zeal for life and also a quick way to absorb some of that quaint mountain ski-town vibe is to walk into Altitudes. This establishment, which she owns and operates with her husband, Paul Joerger, is located in a historic seed and hay building just south of the railroad tracks. Most days, Lynda will be there behind the well-worn pine bar. She will greet and swoosh you in like a lifelong friend. Hospitality is just part of what she deliciously serves up, along with comfort food and a relaxed, high-elevation atmosphere. Her ski-house décor adds to the flavor of her popular burger. And beware, the sour cream and chives fries are addictive. Her famous Green Chili Stew can only be made with chili peppers grown in the fertile soil of New Mexico’s Hatch Valley, and her buttery, flake-apart walleye fish is flown in from Minnesota’s fresh-water lakes. In addition, she invites her “celebrity New Orleans chef” to raise the heat at Altitudes with his spicy authentic Cajun cooking. “I was destined to be in the hospitality industry,” she explained. “I like people and I enjoy being where people are having fun.” Lynda lives by a creed of treating others the way she likes to be treated, with respect, kindness and a sincere interest. “When I go to work each day,” she said, “I’m going to see old friends, meet new people and know they are going to come back.” A big part of having a sunny disposition, she says, comes from taking the time to say thank you. “I am absolutely humbled and grateful for this mountain that called me here, this place, this town, these people, this community that cares and knows what it means to be alive, to be outside and experience life. The mountain provides the backdrop for what it means to be grounded. From here, I am poised for life’s challenges. I have a positive attitude because I feel blessed. You can’t buy that, you have to find it from inside. I just walk around feeling blessed every moment.” QCBN Bonnie Stevens is a public relations consultant. She can be reached at bonnie. stevens@gmail.com.

@quadcitiesbusinessnews

Nation’s Finest-Prescott Receives Donation from Harley Group

he Yavapai Arizona Chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG) rode in to the Quad Cities last month to visit local veterans and make the holidays a little merrier for Nation’s Finest-Prescott with a $1,500 charity gift. “We are extremely thankful for this generous donation and the support of our local Harley Owners Group chapter,” said Nation’s Finest Site Director Nick Wood. “The funds will directly benefit our programs and services that assist local veterans and their families with housing, health care and other resources.” HOG is a family-oriented group of motorcycle riders with a long-standing history of honoring active-duty service members and veterans and giving back to communities. QCBNCourtesy photo

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

// MAYOR’S ADDRESS // BY PHIL GOODE

Yavapai College Setting Up Prescott Committees Endorses Tax Increases, Modifies Tuition Rates F irst, I would like to wish all our readers a Happy New Year. With the return of our traditional holiday events and gatherings, Prescott truly is Arizona’s Christmas City once again. As we look ahead to the new year, and my first full year in office, there are many priorities for City Council. I would like to congratulate Cathey Rusing, who was elected by Council to be mayor pro tem. The primary responsibility of the mayor pro tem is to lead meetings and represent the city when the mayor is unavailable to do so. I look forward to working with Mayor Pro Tem Rusing in this capacity in the year ahead. One of my first duties as mayor is to appoint council members to act as liaisons to city boards and commissions. These council liaisons play an important role by connecting council with our other important city governing bodies. The mayor also appoints council representatives to seven outside organizations. Another important task for the newly elected mayor is to establish mayor’s ad hoc commissions and committees. These bodies, also made up of volunteers, exist only during

the mayor’s term, and may be very specialized. I have decided to form three such bodies and retain three. The mayor’s commissions will include: Airport Terminal Art, FOPU, Veterans, Water Policy Advisory Committee, Charter Amendments Advisory Commission, and General Plan Advisory Commission. There are currently 27 city boards, commissions and committees. All are volunteer based, and I encourage all citizens to consider serving in some way. The city accepts applications for boards and commissions throughout the year. For more information on the groups, visit the city’s website at City of Prescott Boards & Commissions Vacancies or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 928-777-1272. As I have stated since my campaign, I ran on several critical issues for our city, including managing our water resources, transparency in government and maintaining responsible growth. The Water Policy Advisory Committee is separate from the Water Issues Subcommittee, which is made up only of council members. This advisory committee will consist of citizens who will

provide input for council to monitor our water policy and its impact on our community. Regarding the issue of transparency, I have implemented a Call to the Public at all council meetings. This agenda item will allow citizens to comment on a matter not already on the agenda, for council consideration. Those commenting will not be able to ask specific questions or receive feedback from council at that time. Rather, this is an opportunity for airing of concerns for future consideration. I am pleased to report that the transition, including our three new council members, is going smoothly. I look forward to a very productive year ahead. QCBN Phil Goode is the mayor of the City of Prescott.

By Ray Newton, QCBN

ncreasing attendance and growth throughout the entire Yavapai College (YC) system has prompted YC Governing Board members to consider requesting a 3% increase in the property tax levy designated within the county to support the college. That announcement was made during the Governing Board workshop on Nov. 16. Board Chair Deb McCasland was emphatic that the board would continue to support the stated college strategic plan: to provide accessible and affordable educational opportunities to residents throughout Yavapai County. YC operates six campuses and centers throughout the county and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. Additionally, the college offers community services and cultural and recreational activities at several of its locations. The Governing Board (GB) is in the middle of building a budget for the coming year and will not approve final figures until its meeting in May, said Tyler Rumsey, YC director of marketing. Rumsey also said the college was optimistic about its enrollment figures for the year to date. He said that fall enrollment was up 6.5% over the prior year and predictions are for enrollment to increase again in coming months. Currently, about 7,400 students are enrolled. About 23% of them are full-time. Registration for spring classes is underway. Campus offices reopen Jan. 3. Spring term begins Jan. 18. QCBN

SAVE THE DATE: February 27, 2022 Come meet Eden in person and join us for “Bowling for Eden.” Eden will be the first Emotional Support/Facility dog in a law enforcement agency in Yavapai County. Although Eden was “gifted” to them, there was no budget to pay for all of her needs. Bowling for Eden will raise the money to get her started. She is currently in training and will be joining the Police Department sometime in 1st Qtr. of 2022. Bowlers will receive: Eden tote bag, pizza and a non-alcoholic drink. Donation $40 per bowler or $150 for a team of 4

For

There will also be a Raffle and Silent Auction with lots of great prizes! Business Sponsorships still Available.

February 27th Noon-3pm Plaza Bowl, 127 Plaza Drive, Prescott, AZ

Sponsored by:

For tickets or more information: Call Ann at (928) 420-4407.

LittLe DeaLer, LittLe Prices

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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Construction Beginning on Paloma Village in Chino Valley By Ray Newton, QCBN

ith the acquisition of four acres at the northern edge of Chino Valley, the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) can now begin construction of Paloma Village, a 24-unit manufactured home project intended to accommodate persons who have been homeless. The village will consist of five single-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom units, according to CCJ Executive Director Jessi Hans. The announcement came Nov. 6, on the 20th anniversary of the founding of CCJ. Board members welcomed guests with food and entertainment, including hay and pony rides, face-painting, music and zoo animals from Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. Board President Amber Davies Sloan said the construction project is expected to be completed in three years and cost approximately $5 million. CCJ hopes to complete the first eight units by the end of 2022. Rental prices for the units will begin at about $500 and go up to $900 a month, Hans said. QCBN

Above: Coalition for Compassion and Justice board members (l to r) Carol Darrow, Jon Rocha, Jessi Hans, Angela Davis Sloan, Chris Chamberlain and Sandy McClintock pose next to the diagram detailing Paloma Village in Chino Valley. Not pictured are board members Bill Resnick and Maureen “Mo” Michael. Far Left: Molly Williams and her friend Stevie the skunk from the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary visit with Liam Halsted. Left: Miniature horses from IttyBitty Pony Parties in Prescott Valley entertained guests. Owners Pam and Luke Bawden let children ride the ponies in the enclosure. Photos by Ray Newton

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Addressing the Rental Housing Crisis

By Jim Sobo

s a HUD Housing grant manager through the Arizona Department of Housing for Central/Northern Arizona, we manage both STRMU (Short Term Rent Mortgage Utilities) and TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance) grants. We manage a grant written to serve those with specific medical conditions/records/infectious disease control; however, there are various applications of these grants for various demographic populations. In the management/facilitation

of an HUD/ADOH grant, STRMU addresses those in transition or who are already housed for rental/utilities assistance because of financial hardship caused by various circumstances; they must also be eligible through medical records, disabilities, or fall into certain categories such as veterans, behavioral health and homelessness. Vocational rehabilitation referrals and programs are essential in supporting sustainability of those in transition who may be eligible through medical records, as well. The TBRA grant applications are for those who are in similar categories,

// We urge landlords and property management to work with these HUD Housing grants, accept Section 8/HUD Housing Vouchers, and both shortterm/long-term housing assistance grants and programs toward a stable and healthy community. Without this cooperation, our central communities will continue to suffer. //

who struggle/suffer with disabilities, veterans, behavioral health conditions, or those who qualify for HUD Housing opportunities, where HUD or affordable housing may be absent in their area. To address the current rental housing crisis, it’s important to understand what economic effects are present in creating homelessness, moving the “infrastructure employment force” out of area because of the conflict between earning potential and rental cost caused by market fluctuation. Market fluctuation is caused by things such as the real estate sales market pushing up market value; thus, this has increased mortgage rates and rental rates without the labor market earning potential adjusting to the property market values. Example: For those who work in hospitality, food services, retail, medical support services, non-profit organizations, state, county, government and educational positions, the earning potential may be between $24,000 and $35,000 annually. When seeking multi-unit or single-family housing opportunities, landlords and property management companies usually ask for three times the rental costs. When the applicant only earns double the rental costs, it causes

Listen with Your Heart

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either no housing for those in need, or pushes our “infrastructure labor force” out of the area, where communities were thriving previously. This scenario does not consider those who struggle with a criminal background, credit issues, behavioral health conditions, and medical conditions, which make placement significantly more difficult. To address the chasm between rental housing rates and earning potential, earning potential must be increased by employers to keep businesses staffed so as not to disrupt business or cause business failure and limitations. This is currently what we are seeing in our communities – business failure, limited hours of operations because of labor costs/ availability of labor force, while rental housing costs increase. There is a major disparity between the two markets that is causing homelessness and business closures and placing our community infrastructure in danger of collapse. The markets will stabilize eventually, however, there will be hundreds of people/ businesses affected in the interim; this will especially affect those who struggle with behavioral/physical

health, disabilities, substance abuse and all the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused. Some of the effects include increased domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, unemployment and homelessness. We urge landlords and property management to work with these HUD Housing grants, accept Section 8/HUD Housing Vouchers, and both short-term/long-term housing assistance grants and programs toward a stable and healthy community. Without this cooperation, our central communities will continue to suffer. QCBN

Jim Sobo is the housing and support specialist for Northland Cares, a non-profit entity that assists the Quad Cities community with specialty medical care, case management, housing and infectious disease prevention. He has been the sole support of the eligible clients in all the counties in Northern Arizona during this housing and employment crisis.

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

@quadcitiesbusinessnews

PrEP medications are safe and effective and can help prevent you from getting infected with HIV. When someone is exposed to HIV, PrEP medications can work to keep the virus from causing infection. Taking PrEP medication can stop new HIV infections and help end the HIV epidemic.

Help25% us stop the spread of HIV in EHE Yet less than

The national goal for PrEP coverage under the (Ending the HIV Epidemic) initiative is to achieve at least 50% coverage by 2030.

of the

Yavapai County.

estimated more than

1 million Americans

who could benefit from PrEP are using this important medication.

PEP PATHWAY Less than 72 hours

YES

More than 72 hours

Call Northland Cares.

their risk when taken daily as prescribed.

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

YES

Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

dramatically reduces

PrEP PATHWAY

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

Can you see patient today?

PrEP use among people at risk for acquiring HIV

NO YES

Help us stop the spread of HIV in Call Northland Cares or Call PEPLine (888) 488-4911 Send RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley

Proceed with provided care and RX to Walgreens in Prescott Valley.

PEP PATHWAY

PrEP PATHWAY

“Are you confident in

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Prescott: 928-776-4612 Cottonwood: 928-649-0833 Faxcomplete - 928-771-1767 providing patient today? prevention services for the patient?”

Are you confident in providing care and follow-up services?

NO Call Northland Cares.

YES

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Refer patient to Northland Cares for specialty care and treatment services.

If patient cannot afford PrEP, refer to Northland Cares.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription Lesscovered. than 72However, hours the cost of necessary More than hours costs are 100% clinic72 visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

YES

Proceed with quality care and treatment.

Yavapai County. YES

Proceed with provided care.

Refer to Northland Cares.

YES

Patient is engaging in risky behavior who could benefit from PrEP

“Are you confident in providing complete prevention services for the patient?”

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Patient wants to be prescribed PrEP

Refer to Northland Cares.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If patients meet the requirements, all prescription costs are 100% covered. However, the cost of necessary clinic visits and lab tests may vary based on patient income and insurance coverage.

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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We are Everybody’s Hometown Dealer!

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JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

The Local Dealership that Supports Your Community

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Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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How a ‘Compliance First’ Mindset Limits Liabilities

By Theo Soumilas

y adopting a “Compliance First” strategy when choosing solutions and vendors, you will identify those that do not comply with your requirements, eliminate them from your selection process and then select from the rest. It also means evaluating your current solutions and vendors and replacing those that cannot support your compliance requirements. In simple terms, compliance is anything someone else makes you do. This means laws, regulations, contracts and even the terms of a cyber insurance policy. Failure to act responsibly can have devastating results — hefty penalties, lawsuits, investigations and the failure to have insurance cover big claims that can exceed $1 million. If you think compliance is unimportant for you or only applies to enterprises, think again. No business is immune to compliance regulations, which is in fact, a good thing. By knowing your business must be compliant, you can avoid fines and penalties, improve operational safety, improve public relations, prevent attrition and above all, ensure that liability insurance claims pay out in

the event of an incident. Compliance has a measurable Return on Investment (ROI). By making the “Compliance First” approach your first step, you can meet minimum regulatory requirements to protect against fines while also staying in compliance with liability insurance requirements. After this, you can improve your business’ compliance posture further by adopting additional measures.

A SINGLE COMPLIANCE MISTAKE CAN INVALIDATE LIABILITY INSURANCE CLAIMS Many small- and medium-sized businesses prefer to use free or the most affordable solutions possible. If you’re one of them, keep in mind that this is not a safe practice. Without solutions that meet security, encryption and reporting standards outlined by regulations that you must abide by (HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS and GDPR), you could face three key problems: 1) Suffering a preventable catastrophic breach 2) Risk of non-compliance and subsequent fines 3) Risk of violating and nullifying liability insurance policies, leaving you financially exposed

Prescott Valley Chamber presents

Using cheap or low-cost non-compliant solutions may be tempting but it can cause your business to assume all the reputational and financial risk and cost in the event a compliance violation comes to light. Remember that you do not have to use a bunch of non-compliant solutions to invalidate your insurance; even using just a single non-compliant solution can cause your claim to be denied. All your insurance claims that cover compliance regulation infractions specific to HIPAA, CMMC, GDPR or PCI-DSS can be invalidated by a single act of negligence. If the vague regulatory guidelines overwhelm you, you are not alone. But it is worth taking the time to learn more about your requirements, so your organization can become adequately protected.

1 million. Defense contractors can lose their main source of revenue by not complying with cybersecurity requirements. If you accept credit cards, PCIDSS violations can draw penalties ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per month by payment providers (VISA, Discover and others). Penalties depend on the volume of clients and transactions. GDPR violations lead to hefty violation fines worth 2% to 4% or more of company revenue based on the severity of the violation. Even the information you have about your workforce is protected by state and federal laws.

THE COST OF NON-COMPLIANCE

A “Compliance First” approach covers a broad range of critical considerations to keep a business compliant. However, if you do not know where to begin, start with a business tool audit. The internal tools to audit for compliance are:

Many businesses think of compliance spending as an unrewarded cost of business rather than considering it as an investment in protecting assets. This leads to less spending on compliant software or even under-staffing of compliance teams. If your business eventually ends up being non-compliant, it can have devastating reputational and financial consequences. HIPAA penalties often exceed $

BEGIN WITH A COMPLIANCE FIRST APPROACH FOR PRODUCT SELECTION

N Voice services like VoIP N Cloud storage and file hosting

N Document sharing and transfer services N Productivity tools N Communication tools N Any digital tool, product or service used for business Many regulations require data, including voice messages and emails, to be encrypted in transit and when stored. Find out if your version is compliant by reviewing each solution’s product sheet or release notes. If it’s still unclear whether or not the solution provides the type of compliance you’re looking for, contact the technology vendor directly to get an independent audit report of their compliance with the requirements you must meet. The “Compliance First” approach can help develop a compliance-oriented culture within your business, thus preventing your business from falling into the quicksand of non-compliance. QCBN

For additional information or to schedule an appointment to assist your business, call 928.719.7724 or visit www.northernazit.com. Theo Soumilas is the owner of Northern Arizona IT servicing Arizona.

Are You Compliant?

Business Academy XV January 25 - March 22, 2022 Tuesday evenings - 5:30 to 8 p.m. 8 week business education program designed for all businesses.

Classes include: Human Resources, Finance, Technology, Marketing, Customer Service and Networking. Classes taught by professionals in each area. Chamber members - No tuition - $30 registration and materials fee Non-member - Tuition $250 Light meal provided prior to each class.

Register online at www.pvchamber.org or contact marnie@pvchamber.org Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce; Catalysts for business and community growth, Conveners of leaders and influencers, Champions for economic success. For more information or for membership connections visit

pvchamber.org or call 928-772-8857

Northern Arizona IT – Your local IT Security Provider. Call Theo at (928) 719-7724 or email me at theo@northernazit.com

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

@quadcitiesbusinessnews

Common Questions for Your Audiologist

By Karon Lynn, Au.D.

oing to a heath care professional can be a stressful situation. You have chosen to ask for a professional opinion about your health and want to get the best possible information during the appointment. Treatment for a physical issue you are having is a very personal subject and you want to feel that you are receiving individualized recommendations. When you go to any health care professional, it is important to be prepared before the appointment. Write down possible questions you have. They might focus on treatment, length of treatment and possible outcomes. Having questions with you

will help you stay organized during the appointment and help to make certain you don’t forget to ask something you planned to find out. Next, be prepared to write down the answers. It is difficult to remember what someone is telling you, especially if you are stressed or not feeling well. If you don’t want to write down what is said, take a friend or family member who is willing to do it for you. Two heads listening during an appointment is much better than just one! As an audiologist, I hear many questions about hearing and balance. I am pleasantly surprised when someone comes to an appointment with pen and paper in hand. It shows me that the individual is prepared and

// Having questions with you will help you stay organized during the appointment and help to make certain you don’t forget to ask something you planned to find out. Next, be prepared to write down the answers. It is difficult to remember what someone is telling you, especially if you are stressed or not feeling well. //

attentive and, usually, the appointment has a better outcome. I am able to explain more and I know that the individual will review what was said during the appointment. That reduces confusion. Here are some of the most common questions I hear during appointments.

DO I HAVE A HEARING LOSS?

Once a hearing evaluation is completed, the audiologist will help you understand the results of the test. Most of us understand that the lingo used will be foreign, so we try to use language that is more commonly heard. We expect a person to ask for clarification if they need it. Don’t be shy! You are paying to have someone who has extensive training in a subject bring the information to you in a way you can use. You will be told if the hearing loss is in one or both ears and what amount of decrease in hearing you have compared to a standardized norm.

IS THE HEARING LOSS PERMANENT?

This is a wonderful question to ask. The audiologist will be able to tell you if the hearing loss is from permanent damage to your hearing nerve or if it

is caused by a temporary issue with the middle ear. The testing process is designed to do just that. In addition to hearing test results, we need a list of current medications to note if any might be compounding your hearing difficulty. If you have had a previous hearing evaluation, it is good to bring a copy of the test to compare to the current results. We will help you understand if the hearing difficulty is progressive or something that will resolve on its own, or needs the intervention of medication or surgery. We need to understand your family history of hearing loss, noise exposure, significant illnesses or chronic illnesses, when the hearing difficulty began and how the hearing issue affects you.

DO I NEED HEARING AIDS?

To answer this question, the audiologist will use the test results and the answers to questions about the difficulty you have hearing friends and family, music or TV, etc. The audiologist will explain to you if your hearing loss can be treated medically or make a recommendation to see an ear surgeon. If medical intervention is not recommended, then hearing aids are an option.

DO I HAVE TO GET HEARING AIDS?

During the visit you will be offered a variety of treatments. Hearing aids are one option. The decision to wear hearing aids is based on the difficulty you have hearing the things that are important to you. If you are not ready to do anything about the hearing loss, explain that to the audiologist. We will give you a list of things to watch for and recommend a yearly hearing examination to document the progression of the loss. The brain likes to be stimulated with sound to maintain proper skills, so to speak. Because of this, it is important to continue exposing yourself to sound, so if later you decide to try out hearing aids, your brain will jump on board. Hearing is not just an ear thing; it is a brain and ear thing! QCBN Trinity Hearing Center is located at 1330 N. Rim Dr., Suite B in Flagstaff. For more information, visit TrinityHearing.net. Karon Lynn, Au.D., is a doctor of audiology with 30 years of experience working with hearing impaired individuals. She may be reached at 928-522-0500 or at audio@ trinityhearing.net.

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pet news

Injured Vet, Service Dog Become Dynamic Duo

By Rebecca West, QCBN

ou’ve likely seen them around Tucson. Whizzing by in traffic, saddling up in a parking lot or maybe right next to you at a stoplight. To some extent, the dynamic duo with the distinctive bullet-shaped sidecar has actually become what you might call local celebrities for the striking path they cut about town. Their names are Mike and Scott, and they ride a 2018 Road Glide with a custom sidecar. It’s a one-ofa-kind creation with a lot of gawker appeal. In fact, the twosome can’t go anywhere together without drawing attention to themselves. Here’s how their story began. Mike is a disabled veteran who was injured many years ago while prepping for Bosnia and Somalia at age 25. He’s had multiple surgeries with rods, screws and wires in his back and neck. He received a medical discharge in 1999, but five years later, he was rear-ended in a wreck that caused additional injury and the need for more surgery. Seven years ago, as it became more and more difficult to ambulate

steadily, his doctor recommended he get a task-support service dog to aid him. Mike was having difficulty walking and he risked falling down. His wife, Autumn, agreed it would be a good idea, as lifting Mike on her own was tough. With his mobility and stability issues mounting, it seemed like a good option. A year later, they found Tre’Good German Shepherds, a breeder in Arizona specializing in raising highly trainable, intelligent and naturally protective dogs. During their visit, they found Scott, an adorable German Shepherd fluffball, and Mike instantly felt a connection. Too young to take home, Mike returned when Scott was 11 weeks old, and the two have been inseparable ever since. As it turns out, Mike did all of his own training with Scott, and by 4 months old, he was ready to roll. This is an extraordinary feat for both a dog and a human to accomplish in such a short time. But once Mike felt Scott was ready, he took him to Gentle Hearts in Sedona, where they tested him for performance. Scott (being Scott) passed with

Mike Thomas and his sidekick Scott, in this customized sidecar, have become wellknown on the roads in Tucson. Courtesy photo

flying colors. All service dogs must be able to perform two services that their handler cannot do on their own. The dogs are subjected to lots of tasks and things like loud noises before they’re given the green light to act as service dogs. Scott is such a natural, he’s trained two other dogs to perform their duties as well. He’s also been the subject of a linguistics study because of his uncanny ability to seemingly understand without much more than a whisper or simple turn of the head. Scott’s lineage may have something to do with it. His father attained the highest level of therapy dog status, and his mom is a diabetes service dog. About five years ago, Autumn encouraged Mike to look into taking a motorcycle safety course to start riding. That suggestion was the

beginning of Mike and Scott’s road to stardom. Mike bought a Dyna Low Rider from Old Pueblo Harley-Davidson in Tucson. Aware that he was looking for a sidecar, they notified him they were in possession of a repurposed toolbox that had been turned into a sidecar by its previous owner. Upon seeing it, Mike was stoked. Unusual in look and utility, it was the perfect size for his constant companion Scott, who, by this time, was his shadow. They ran together on that bike until Mike was T-boned by another rider in May 2018 during a Memorial Day run. Not to be deterred, Mike purchased a 2018 Road Glide Special from Tucson Harley-Davidson, but this time he would have a custom sidecar built specifically for Scott. And, what a sidecar it is. It was fab-

ricated by Dan Jackson. Dan offered to help Mike build what’s come to be known as “the bullet,” and for good reason. It’s not merely shaped like a cylinder; it’s actually got a snub nose and flat back, like a gun shell. Now, Mike and Scott hit the road regularly, attending local and outof-state biker events like the annual Sturgis rally in South Dakota, where they’ve been a big hit with fellow motorcyclists. Their plan is to continue doing so every chance they get. You can follow them on their SM accounts under the name @scottbulletdog or watch their popular YouTube videos at Scott Tre’Good Shepherds or Tre’Good Scott. Mike wants other Arizona vets to know that if they need help with training, he and Scott are always available. QCBN

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JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

Is Cheaper Feed Really Cheaper to Feed?

By Cheyenne Brown

here are several factors that go into what you choose to feed your horses. With commodity prices on the rise, price per bag is probably high on the list – but when you break it down, the cheapest bag you can buy might not actually be the cheapest way to ensure your horse gets the nutrients he needs.The three types of formulas are constant nutrition, fixed formula and least-cost formula. Constant nutrition formulas use the same nutrition in every bag. This means all the ingredients in a bag with constant nutrition meet specific requirements and undergo inspection and analysis. Fixed formula feeds use the same ingredients in each bag. They follow a specific recipe, but as anyone who’s tried to follow Grandma’s cookie recipe knows, sometimes it doesn’t always turn out right. Ingredients’ nutritional qualities are not always consistent. Least-cost formulas are exactly that: the formula changes based on the cost of ingredients, and yes, you guessed it, that means the nutrients change, too. How do you determine what formula is best for your horse? The first thing you need to consider is what

your horse’s nutrient needs are. Your horse’s age, current body condition and the amount of physical work he does are big factors in choosing the right feed. Then, check out the Guaranteed Analysis tag on the bag of feed you’re looking to buy. Even if you’re comparing two feeds and both contain the same percentage of fat and protein, it does not mean the feeds are the same. Depending on the quality of the ingredients, nutrients in those feeds may vary greatly. When you purchase a bag of feed that costs less, you may have to feed more of it in order to give your horse adequate nutrients – therefore, you are paying more in the long run than if you were feeding something that had consistent nutrition, even if it costs more per bag. Horses naturally require consistent nutrition. Lack of consistency can lead to poor condition, performance, and even digestive upset. The next time you make a choice on feed, read the tag and research what kind of formula the manufacturer uses. Ensure the ingredients are of consistent quality! QCBN

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JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Giving Your New Pet Time to Adjust

By Loree Walden

eople seem to think that when they adopt a new dog or cat and bring it home that it’s going to be like a Hallmark movie, and they will fit in right away! Sometimes they do; sometimes they don’t! One of the hardest things is seeing a dog or cat be adopted and so happy to go home and then one or two days later, they are brought back because that animal “wasn’t what we expected” or “didn’t fit in.” It can take up to three months for them to feel like they are home! That’s why it’s so important to remember the 3-3-3 rule, which is a general guideline for timing on letting your new pet acclimate. Every animal is unique and will adjust differently. Give your dog or cat space and allow them to go at their own pace when acclimating. The first few days in your home are special and critical for your new pet. They are probably confused about where they are and what to expect from you. In the first three days of being in a new home: N They are feeling overwhelmed. N They aren’t feeling comfortable being themselves yet. N They might not want to eat or drink. N New pets may also try to test the

boundaries too, and act out. Correct them, without yelling at them, and they will soon realize what’s right and wrong. N They may shut down and want to just curl up in a crate or hide. This is especially true with cats, who will probably spend a lot of time hiding or in a corner. Don’t expect that you’re going to come home with a new cat and think that you’re going to have an immediate lap cat curled up with you. They need to adjust, sniff everything out (including you) and explore their new surroundings. N If you have other pets in your home already, they are trying to figure out if this is a friend or foe. The one that you’ve had is wondering, “Why did you bring that here?” and the new one is probably thinking, “Who’s that?” Give them time to work up to meeting each other and getting to know one another. Don’t push the issue and pay attention to all of them, so none of them feel left out or even like they are being replaced. When I brought my second cat, Tigger, home, Pooh Bear wanted nothing to do with him and Tigger wanted nothing to do with Pooh. I did everything you’re supposed to do by introducing them and giving them time

to adjust. In all honesty, I almost gave up, and then all of a sudden, a couple days into having him home, I woke up and they were both together on my bed with me, not right next to each other, but they were both there. The next day they got a little closer and within about a week, they were best buds. By not pushing the issue and letting them figure it out and get to know each other and new surroundings, nature took over and Tigger realized he was home and had a new family. The same thing happened when I brought home Cassidy Roo, who was just a puppy. She wanted to play so badly with them and again, they wanted nothing to do with her, especially Tigger. By giving all of them their own place and space, and allowing her to acclimate to a new home and these these cats that obviously did not want her there, we eventually achieved harmony and everyone now knows that they are home, safe and loved. After three weeks… N They are starting to get settled in. N They are feeling more comfortable and realizing this could possibly be their forever home. N They are figuring out their environment and starting to get into a routine with you.

N They are starting to show their true personality and are probably starting to let their guard down. N In some, behavior issues may start showing up as they start being themselves more. Like I said before, some pets come home and fit right in and have no issues, but for some, this is going to be reality! After three months… N They are finally feeling comfortable in their new home.

N They are building, or have already built, trust and a true bond. N They have gained a sense of security with their new family and are now set in a routine. By having realistic expectations and patience, bringing a new pet into your family can be a lot less stressful on both you and them while creating your own “happily ever after.” QCBN

Loree Walden is the marketing manager for Yavapai Humane Society.

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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Living a Life of Gratitude

By Jamaal McCoy

rateful people are happier and healthier. It may seem cliché but there’s research to prove focusing on the good in life improves your physical, social and emotional well-being. It helps you unearth more meaning in your life, sleep better and cope positively with stress.

WHAT IS GRATITUDE?

Gratitude is a positive, but complex, emotion with several interpretations. Some say it’s the action of saying thank you when someone gives something. Others say it has a biological and societal component that helps humans thrive in social environments. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, it’s clear introducing a gratitude practice into your daily life has several benefits:

PURGES NEGATIVE EMOTIONS

There’s no room for toxic emotions in someone who practices gratitude every day. Being thankful helps you appreciate the good in your life, making it easier to let go of jealousy, dissatisfaction, envy and other negative feelings. It even keeps chronic

conditions like depression, anxiety and stress at bay.

HELPS CULTIVATE DEEPER RELATIONSHIPS

When you’re aware of the value others add to your life, it shows in your words and actions. Your peers will notice your new selfless form of love and find themselves gravitating to you; some may not even know why. Your relationships with them become deeper and more fulfilling.

INCREASES SELF-CONTROL

Focusing on gratitude helps you put a space between thought and action. It cultivates within you a sense of awareness that lowers your anxiety levels and increases your patience, focus and discipline. This lets you live in the moment without making rash decisions or saying or doing things you’ll regret later.

BOOSTS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Living a life of gratitude not only helps you build stronger relationships with others, it also changes you on a biological level. In a study published on the website for the American Psychological Association (APA),

researchers asked patients with heart failure to write in gratitude journals for six weeks. Results found those who actively took part in this experiment improved their sleep, reduced the presence of inflammation in their bodies, and eased their symptoms of heart failure.

HOW TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Expressing gratitude is more than saying thank you to the person who opened the door for you or bought you a gift. Scientifically, it is more than an action or mere word. It’s a positive emotion with a biological purpose. The practice of gratitude begins when you affirm the good in your life. Accomplishing this goal is much easier if you follow these tips:

BEGIN JOURNALING

This is one of the most effective ways to practice gratitude. Do it whenever you like, it doesn’t matter if it’s once a day or once every four. Just be specific, let your feelings out, and speak your truth. Add an extra level to your practice by writing about what you appreciate about your life. Take this

moment of reflection to breathe into the positive feelings welling up inside of you. This is a great way to end the day, start it or lift your mood when you’re feeling down.

SMILE MORE

The physical act of smiling changes the way you feel inside, the reason doesn’t matter. Consequently, this affects the energy you put out and how people react to you. In fact, a genuine smile can ease the tension in a frustrating social interaction in seconds.

ONE MORE THING

Living a life of gratitude has many positive benefits on several different levels. But it can take hours, days, even months to see significant changes. Stay the course and don’t lose hope. Remind yourself that growth in gratitude takes time. Appreciate the good things in life, pay it forward, and know you’re headed in the right direction. You’ve got this! QCBN

// Focusing on gratitude helps you put a space between thought and action. It cultivates within you a sense of awareness that lowers your anxiety levels and increases your patience, focus and discipline. This lets you live in the moment without making rash decisions or saying or doing things you’ll regret later. //

Jamaal McCoy is the general manager of Findlay Auto Group Prescott. He can be reached at 928-443-8300 or jmccoy@ findlayauto.com.

Supporting Youth Mental Health Far too often, young people are treated as if they are incapable of experiencing mental illness. Far too often, young people don’t get arlier this month, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated the help they need. How can we expect our youth to that young people are facing overwhelming mental health effects as a reach out for help with challenging symptoms when they often only receive result of the challenges experienced by more pain than help? When they think their generation. This 53-page report noted that the pandemic intensified al- they will be stigmatized or told they are ready widespread mental health issues. “too young to be so sad?” As a society, we should be encouraging young Dr. Murthy issued an urgent call to people to be open about their mental address the youth mental health crisis. health rather than allowing them to The Surgeon General also recognizes struggle in silence. Especially considwhat we know to be true: that mental ering what’s at stake: Suicide is the health cannot be treated separately second leading cause of death for ages from our overall health, and that 15-34. In other words, fighting stigma we need society-wide solutions so matters. Polara Health is committed to that everyone can access affordable, fighting stigma so that future generahigh-quality, competent mental health tions are encouraged to get help when care. they need it. The report states half of all people It is also important that we provide who experience a mental health condition in their lifetime begin experiencing programs, opportunities and activities that engage and support youth symptoms before the age of 14, and mental health. One example is a high 75% begin experiencing them by age school on the East Coast that operates 24. Half of young people with mental health conditions do not get treatment, a youth mental health support group. despite our knowledge that early inter- The faculty-supported club provides a supportive environment for students vention works. to share their thoughts and feelings. It Far too often, young people expewas started by a student who attempted rience stigma that invalidates their suicide, and afterward wanted to help struggles with mental health.

By Deanna Eder

her fellow students and help reduce the stigma of youth suicide. Like any other health emergency, it’s important to address a mental health crisis like suicide quickly and effectively. The behaviors of a person experiencing a crisis can be unpredictable, changing dramatically without warning.

friends. N Loses touch with reality (psychosis) - unable to recognize family or friends, confused, strange ideas, thinks they’re someone they’re not, doesn’t understand what people are saying, hears voices, sees things that aren’t there. N Paranoia.

WARNING SIGNS OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

TECHNIQUES THAT MAY HELP DEESCALATE A CRISIS:

It’s important to know that warning signs are not always present when a mental health crisis is developing. Common actions that may be a clue that a mental health crisis is developing include: N Inability to perform daily tasks like bathing, brushing teeth, brushing hair, changing clothes. N Rapid mood swings, increased energy level, inability to stay still, pacing; suddenly depressed, withdrawn; suddenly happy or calm after period of depression. N Increased agitation, verbal threats, violent, out-of-control behavior, destroys property. N Abusive behavior to self and others, including substance use or self-harm (cutting). N Isolation from school, work, family,

N Keep your voice calm. N Avoid overreacting. N Listen to the person. N Express support and concern. N Avoid continuous eye contact. N Ask how you can help. N Keep stimulation level low. N Move slowly. N Offer options instead of trying to take control. N Avoid touching the person unless you ask permission. N Be patient. N Gently announce actions before initiating them. N Give them space, don’t make them feel trapped. N Don’t make judgmental comments. N Don’t argue or try to reason with the person.

If you don’t believe there is an immediate danger to the person in crisis, call your local mental health provider, a psychiatrist, a therapist or family physician that is familiar with the person’s history. If the situation is life-threatening, don’t hesitate to call 911 and ask for immediate assistance. When you call 911, tell them someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and explain the nature of the emergency, your relationship to the person in crisis and whether there are weapons involved. Ask the 911 operator to send someone trained to work with people experiencing a mental crisis such as a Crisis Intervention Training officer, CIT for short. Knowing that they have somewhere to turn can make all the difference for a young person as they cope with today’s unique pressures. Even more, it can help them build a strong foundation for mental health as they transition into adulthood and throughout their lives. QCBN Deanna Eder is the director of marketing and communications at Polara Health.

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Growing Edible Plants By Ken Lain

t’s the start of a new year, with new plant deliveries already arriving for the season. This is a rather interesting list of plants used to dress up and decorate the garden - and they are surprisingly tasty. Indigenous people have known many of these plants since the beginning. Here is a listing of some edible perennials that may surprise you and favorites for the backyard. All are available at Watters Garden Center or are being shipped in a few weeks.

BAMBOO

Panda bears enjoy munching on bamboo shoots, but they aren’t the only creatures that want them. I like to grow bamboo in a container on the back deck. It’s beautiful and edible. When early shoots appear in mid-spring, they are tender and delicious. Conveniently, bamboo grows quickly and prolifically under the right conditions, so you may grow as much or as little as you like.

DAYLILIES

With brightly-colored flowers on top of stalks that grow up to three feet tall and floppy leaves circling the base, a lily usually is considered an ornamental contribution to a landscape. But did you know it’s also edible? Enjoy the shoots, some of the spring tubers, the flower buds, and the blossoms.

DAHLIA

The dahlia plant is small, no more than

a foot high, grows well in compact spaces, and easily blends into spicy container gardens. Its petals and small tubers are unique edibles. Experiment with different varieties to discover their distinct flavors.

PRICKLY PEAR

While roses are pretty to look at and sweet to smell, they also can be delicious to taste. In many Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines, roses make sweet floral preserves and vibrant garnishes.

The pads are intimidating because of their tiny spines but easily removed by scraping with a knife. The pads are cooked and added over meat and fish. The plum-shaped fruit, called Indian figs, prickly pears, or tunas, ripens in late September. The outside becomes bright red, and the insides turn a fiery orange, making a beautiful syrup, preserves or jelly. In some parts of Mexico, the tunas are fermented to produce heady liquor.

HOSTA

SWEETBERRY HONEYSUCKLE

ROSES

This classic garden plant is easy to grow with various varieties. I really enjoy hostas with variegated leaves to spruce up the shade garden. Break off the edible young shoots from the clumps in the center of the plant. There is some debate about whether all species of hostas are edible, but the “Sagae” variety was initially used as edible and is safe for sampling.

Honeysuckle will quickly cover a wall or fence with a cascade of color and fragrance. It also produces an abundance of edible blossoms. As an extra surprise, the blue-berried variety produces a blueberry-like fruit!

LADY’S LEEK

Lady’s leek is grown as an ornamental for its bright bursts of small flowers. The name gives it away as an edible

leek, also part of the garlic family. Use the delicate flowers, onion-like stalks or garlic-like bulbs in your garden recipes.

BANANA YUCCA

This local native grows wild at all elevations of Arizona. Flowers (petals only) and fruit are edible. Other parts of the plant contain saponin, which is poisonous; even Javelina won’t eat this spiky plant. The flowers have a crunchy, fresh flavor. Perennials to Avoid - Some flowers should not be eaten. Here’s the list of local plants to avoid eating: azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, and wisteria.

FREE GARDENING CLASS AT WATTERS GARDEN CENTER IN JANUARY. 9:30 a.m., Jan. 15: Better Houseplant Design with Professional Style

We believe plants make people happier, not just outside, but inside, too! Houseplants brighten your lives and clean the air we breathe, but not all are created equal when growing in an arid climate. You’ll have a list of the top houseplants best grown indoors and how to care for each. Learn best practices for watering, light placement and treating and preventing pests and problems. Visit the Entire Spring Class Schedule at WattersGardenCenter.com. Until the next issue, I’ll be helping local gardeners plant edible flowers here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Flowers.com.

Understanding the Lasting Impact of Legacy Giving

By Nancy Wiechec

enjamin Franklin left a legacy of accomplishment as a printer, innovator, author, public servant and statesman. Two centuries later, we still consider this founding father as one of the greatest Americans. Yet, at his passing, Franklin left behind something in addition to a life of great work. In 1789, just before his death, Franklin revised his will, leaving 2,000 sterling pounds – the equivalent at the time to about $9,000 – to be distributed as low-interest loans to tradesmen in Boston and Philadelphia. He was honoring his humble beginnings as a printer, which led him to a career of public service. He wrote at the time, “Good apprentices are most likely to make good citizens. I wish to be useful even after my death ... forming and advancing other young men that may be serviceable to the country.” Franklin also stipulated that a portion of the funds go toward

public works 100 and 200 years after his death. He expected the funds to grow, leaving even more money to support entrepreneurs and boost the economies of two U.S. cities that had been his home. The balance of the trusts, valued at $6.5 million in 1990, eventually went to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston. We will never know the full impact or ripple effect of Franklin’s bequests; they helped people and communities grow in immeasurable ways. His legacy continues even today, with the institutes supporting excellence in science and technology. Planned giving is also known as legacy giving – philanthropy that has impact long after the benefactor’s death. Legacy giving is altruistic and can come with financial advantages to the giver. Still, it’s not all that popular. Less than 7% of Americans leave a charitable bequest in their estate plan or will. We recognize and promote this type of uncommon generosity because of its powerful and lasting

benefits to communities. A recent local example is sure to positively impact current and future generations in Northern Arizona. Robert S. Larson and his wife, Loretta, Sedona residents and founders of Larson Newspapers, left a property gift valued at $2.5 million to Health First Foundation Northern Arizona. The gift was realized in 2021 after the passing of Robert (2016) and Loretta (2020). The Larsons were devoted community members who valued local history, news, development and education. They viewed health and well-being as instrumental to personal and community growth. To honor the Larsons and their generous gift, Health First Foundation will match each dollar given, up to $50,000 in total donations, to benefit the West Sedona Wildcat Extended Day Program, a beforeand after-school childcare option that combines learning, socializing, healthy eating, exercise and play. Activities help build self-sufficiency skills and include gardening, crafts, painting, knitting, growing food and

cooking. Funded through grants and other support, the Wildcat Extended Day Program is free to parents of kindergarten through 5th grade schoolchildren. It aims to help parents with childcare and the Sedona business community in attracting more employees. The need is great, as many children at West Sedona Elementary qualify for free or low-cost lunch under federal law, having family incomes at or near the federal poverty level. Well-run extended school programs have proven benefits for children, working families, businesses and the community at large. Children benefit from additional educational and social hours in a safe and supportive environment, supplemental nutrition, and physical activity. Parents benefit by knowing their kids are in a safe and nurturing place before and after school. Likewise, businesses reap rewards because parents can be employed and work with peace of mind. Before- and after-school programs benefit commu-

nities by forming resilient youths and reducing risky childhood behaviors. The Wildcat Extended Day Program contributes to academic achievement, development, healthy lifestyles and strong communities – all things valued by Robert and Loretta. Their thoughtful planning and generous gift are sure to have positive outcomes for a lifetime and beyond. QCBN

For additional information on the West Sedona Wildcat Extended Day matching gift program, visit https://healthfirstforall.org/ news. To learn more about legacy giving, call 928-223-9250. Nancy Wiechec is a former journalist working for Health First Foundation as a storyteller and communications manager. Keep up with Health First news on Twitter @HealthFirstAZ.

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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Staying Resilient as We Age

By Candace Lea

hat is resiliency and can it help us as we age? Being resilient means you bounce back after a challenge in your life. A few examples of these challenges are: hearing bad news about a loved one, a death or illness of a loved one, a change in your health, a big change in life such as retirement or moving from where you live. Being resilient does not mean you do not feel all the emotions, because you do! You feel it all, and that is actually a part of being resilient: being open and honest about how you are feeling. Let’s talk about a few resiliency traits and how they can increase our well-being as we get older. N Believing that this is only temporary: when we know in our heart and mind that whatever negative event or emotion we are going through is only temporary. The adage, “this too shall pass” is so very important. It is seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel. You know in your mind that things are going to get better, the darkness will pass. This helps us to have hope and to be able to see

that the future will feel better. An example of this is when you change your job or even retire. It feels really strange at first, you might even feel sad or depressed because you are in a new space and you are mourning the loss of that familiarity. But you say to yourself, “It’s OK, I am supposed to feel this way. Things are going to get better.” N Identifying, talking about and feeling our emotions: Feel the feels! You can say, “Oh my gosh, I am so incredibly sad right now!” And then allow yourself to express that emotion no matter what. An example of this would be if you found out your loved one was transitioning to death. You receive the call while at work, in the car with two of your employees. Instead of holding the emotions in, you go straight into ugly crying while one of the employees is driving and the other is sobbing along with you. You are feeling a huge sadness and you are not going to hold that in. Let those feelings out! And this goes for all the emotions mad, sad, glad or scared. Like Madonna sang, “Express yourself!” N Moving our bodies/exercise: This

is so important in many ways. First off, we have all heard the theory that exercise increases dopamine and serotonin. The fact of the matter is moving our bodies helps us to feel better. It increases blood and oxygen flow through our body and our brain. Yoga is an excellent way to move and also manage stress. When doing yoga, we are connecting breath with movement AND meditation. Meditation helps us to quiet our minds and decrease stress and anxiety. If you create a habit of moving your body daily, when a stressful situation presents itself, you will be in better shape both mentally and physically to handle it. Keep moving, go for a walk, take a yoga class and create that great habit! N Humor! Yes, laughter is the perfect prescription for snapping into a better mindset. Humor is a funny thing (hey, that was a good one). You can be crying one second and then you realize you are standing in the middle of a grocery store and you begin to laugh. And you know what? It’s OK. Not taking life or yourself too seriously is a beautiful quality to have.

Treating COVID-19 with Monoclonal Antibody Therapy at YRMC

By Ken Boush

arly treatment for COVID-19 infection with Monoclonal Antibody (MAB)Therapy for highrisk patients is available at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC). To receive the treatment, patients need a physician order and an appointment. What are Monoclonal Antibodies? Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic your immune system’s ability to fight off harmful viruses. Casirivimab + Imdevimab (Regeneron) are monoclonal antibodies that are specifically designed to protect against the spike protein of COVID-19. These proteins are designed to stop the virus from entering human cells. In November 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization to allow the use of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Further data has been published showing the benefit of reducing hospitalization rates in people

at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR COVID MAB THERAPY?

N A positive test result for SARS CoV-2 viral testing (COVID-19) is required. N Must have mild to moderate symptoms for 10 days or less. N Must be at least 18 years of age or older. N Must be at high-risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 infection and/or hospitalization as determined by your physician.

WHO CANNOT RECEIVE COVID MAB THERAPY?

N Anyone still waiting for a COVID-19 test result. N Anyone who has received a negative COVID-19 test result. N People with symptoms for more than 10 days. N New or increased oxygen requirement, hospitalized patients. N People without risk factors for severe disease. (Some examples

of risk factors may include age greater than 65, chronic lung or kidney disease, pregnancy and others. Your doctor can help you determine if you do or don’t have risk factors.)

HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR COVID MAB THERAPY?

N Call your doctor as soon as possible if you are sick and believe you qualify. N An order must be sent by your physician to the Infusion Center at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center. N A YRMC representative will call you to schedule your appointment once the physician order has been received. QCBN Ken Boush is the director of marketing and communications for Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center.

N Asking for Help/ Support System: We all need help at times. There is never anything wrong with saying, “I need help, I can’t do this on my own.” This is probably the most important trait because human connection, of any sort, is so very healing. These are only a few examples of resiliency traits and behaviors. Please do some research and you may find that you are more resilient than you thought. If you are a caregiver, you can encourage resiliency in the person for whom you are caring. One way they do this at the Margaret T. Morris Assisted Living Center is by doing daily exercises with the Life Enrichment Team. At the Susan J. Rheem Adult Day Center, the participants are constantly laughing and enjoying themselves while participating

in games of all kinds. Quality Care, Quality Service, Quality of Life. QCBN Candace Lea, MBA, is the community liaison and marketing person for Adult Care Services. She has worked in the human service and healthcare field for more than 30 years. She also is a local yoga teacher. To learn more about these programs, visit adultcareservices.org.

Watch Your Business News Bonnie Stevens' Communication Station is delivering a refreshing, engaging and inspirational vodcast (video podcast) that features Northern Arizona businesses, outdoor adventure and leadership twice a month. Zonie Living is sponsored in part by Quad Cities Business News. Go to https://starworldwidenetworks.com/shows/ bonnie-stevens

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Quad Cities March 25, 2022

Do you have a “moonshot” idea or an existing business you’d like to expand? Or Even just a product or business idea you've scribbled down on a napkin? If you answered YES, please join us for Quad Cities AZ Pioneer Pitch competition for entrepreneurs (aka, a showcase like you see on ABC's Shark Tank)! Participants will be competing for CASH PRIZES and scholarships. In addition, you'll get feedback from top industry experts and exposure for your business or product. When you sign up to participate in the Quad Cities AZ Pioneer Pitch, you will also receive startup and pitch education led by Ruth Ellen Elinski and her team at SBDC. Workshops will run from 5 - 7 p.m. on February 23, March 2, March 9, and March 23. You will be prompted to sign up for the workshops after completing the Pioneer Pitch Application. The winner of the Quad Cities Pioneer Pitch Competition will go on to compete in our statewide competition for a $10,000 cash prize. The event, which also honors successful Moonshot entrepreneurs, will be held in Flagstaff at Little America Hotel on June 17, 2022. We can’t all be astronauts, but we can all be pioneers.

THIS IS YOUR YEAR TO BECOME A MOONSHOT PIONEER!

Arizona’s Christmas City

Annual Bluegrass Festival

Arts & Craft Shows

World’s Oldest Rodeo

Lakes & Hiking Trails

PRESCOTT.ORG | 928-445-2000 | 800-266-7534

How to Recognize a Scam

By Steven Calabrese

et’s say you receive a call like this: “Hello, I am Agent Smith from the IRS. You owe $2,368 plus interest. If you don’t pay immediately, we will issue a warrant for your arrest!” Then the caller proceeds to tell you to go get prepaid gift cards and send them to some P.O. Box. Well, if you have gotten a call like this, there is good news! It is not the IRS and you are not in any trouble. The bad news is that it is a scam. I hope you did not fall for it! Have you ever received a call from the “IRS,” “Social Security” or “Medicare”? I have. Most of the time it is a robocall by a computer. I actually got a call from “the IRS” and the individual left a badge number and a number to call back. It is always the same message of urgency that you owe money and an organization is going to issue a warrant for your arrest. Well, I have not been arrested. It’s a sure scam. How about a call from the “Social Security Administration” notifying you that your benefits are being suspended because you owe money or the caller needs to verify some information? Then there is the call from “Medicare” stating that your coverage may be or is suspended and you need to verify some information. Maybe you have gotten a call stating that you have won a lottery or there is some grant someone wants to give you. The bad news is that if you have received such a call and you gave your information or sent money, you have gotten scammed. These are all common scams to be aware of and avoid. If you get any of these calls, do not ever give any information or any money. Nothing bad is going to happen to you like they threaten. If you give them your Social Security number, date of birth and any other information, your identity will likely be stolen. If you send money, you will be out whatever you send. Basic rule: do not ever give out any personal information to anyone. These scammers may contact you over the phone, via email or perhaps text message. It is generally always the same story. You need to send immediately some amount of money either via a wire transfer or go buy some gift cards and send them to a P.O. Box. Some may request that you send cryptocurrency.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WON’T DO

The government will never: N Call you and ask for personal information. If a someone is from the government, that caller will have your Medicare and Social Security number. N Contact you via social media, text or email. N Reach out to you to award you a federal grant. You must apply for one and the purpose is generally for a very specific reason. N Ask you for upfront money to issue a refund, grant or some other government benefit. N Take payments in gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO

N Contact you by mail. The letter will contain very specific information and instruct you what the issue is and what information is needed. N Other Don’ts N Never give any personal information via the phone, email, text message or social media. N Do not send any prepaid gift cards. N Wire transfers should never occur. N Cryptocurrency should not be sent in lieu of a cash payment. Scammers are alive and well and seek to help themselves to your hard-earned money. Follow these simple rules and keep yourself safe. Keep your money away from them. Here are some other types of scams to be aware of: N texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/common-scams N consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-aresome-common-types-of-scams-en-2092/ Always say no, never give them any personal information and keep your money away from them. Hopefully you have not been a victim. Armed with this information, you can avoid becoming one. You work hard for your money, make sure it stays your money! Thanks for reading; hope you found this helpful. QCBN Steven Calabrese, CPA, is the CFO of Polara Health. He also is the owner/operator of a website known as thebiweeklyadvisor.com, where topics such as budgeting, investing, paying off debt and goal setting are discussed.

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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What to Expect in Construction for the New Year

elcome to another addition of At Home with Tom and Sandy! We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry, what is up, what is down, what is hot and what is not. We will share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and we will just talk. Tom: Hello Sandy! Like the John Lennon song, “Another year over, a new begun a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Let us hope it’s a good one. . .” Sandy: Back at ya, Tom! Wow, 2021 sure was a weird, zany, bizarre year full of new ways to conduct business and, at the same time, there is a lot to be thankful for. Tom: We should talk about this past year as it relates to this wonderful, crazy construction industry we are part of – what we are grateful for, what changed and what we must look forward to. Sandy: Excellent idea. So much has changed this year. As I like to say, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for. I am so grateful for the construction industry. Tom:So many of our local construction companies are family-run businesses and they genuinely care about their employees and treat them with the respect and understanding, just like they would do for their own families. Sandy:I feel that every community person should not take staff/workers for granted with everything that every business has been through during the pandemic. Every employee needs to be given appreciation and respect every day. Every employee and business is so important and everyone should be grateful to have a community of such industrious, professional and knowledgeable individuals working so hard. Tom:Simply put, without our community workforce we would be unable to provide services to our citizens. Every employee is out there braving the elements (and I do not mean weather elements) and not only getting the job done, but ensuring that every customer is taken care of. Sandy, in addition to the work-

force, what are some thoughts on your grateful list? Sandy: Oh my, that is one exceptionally lengthy list! Next to every single employee everywhere, my list starts with our local farmers markets and goes all the way to peanut butter, with a little “Alexa, please play Christmas Music” and lots of gratefulness for YCCA thrown in the mix. Tom: Quite the range there, Sandy. Sandy: LOL. I really think being grateful is the ultimate boost for feeling happy and fulfilled in life and gratitude matters because it is such a crucial aspect of looking at life positively. Tom: Asking oneself every day, “What is it I am grateful for?” goes a long way to a positive outlook for sure. I suspect many of our readers feel the same. Sandy: I am a lucky lady. To be able to help so many people when they call YCCA for help is truly a blessing. Tom:I suspect you have gotten more calls this year and last, given the craziness of our industry. Sandy: Well, I do not know about more calls, but the subject of the calls is different. Finding contractors to taking on projects of varying sizes is more difficult than in the past. Tom: Got that. The labor shortage is only the tip of that iceberg. A lot of contractors are having difficulty finding help and that weighs in on where to focus your company’s attention. Sandy: Demand is high, which leads to higher costs for products as well. Although, that has not really slowed down the desire for people to want to improve their homes or build new ones. Tom: Have you seen a rise in folks turning to unlicensed people? Sandy: Yes. And I say I get it, but it is such a bad move. I know costs are rising and people are saying they can get the work done cheaper. Tom: I get it, too. But, boy, oh boy, can that backfire. Projects not being completed, no warranty security, there is that tip of the iceberg again. I agree it is a bad move to use unlicensed entities. Sandy: Absolutely. I recall a book on management titled, “If You Haven’t Got the Time to Do It Right, When Will You Find the Time to Do It Again?” People need to be cautious as always. Do not be tempted to take

what seems like the easy way out. Tom: That might be the best takeaway from this conversation! Sandy: Maybe. What are some of the other changes you have seen? Tom: Well, contracts have changed. Because contractors have zero control over the delivery and availability and cost of a lot of items that go into a home, contracts are now reflecting and specifying those items to make clients aware and to limit liability. Sandy: I understand that for certain. I have also heard that ordering items like cabinets and widows earlier than normal is causing deposits to be higher. Tom: That is another change. Consumers need to have those early down payments documented. The professional contractors out there know this and build it into their contract specifics. Sandy: Our industry cannot perform its tasks on Zoom, so personal contact is essential. The protocols taken by contractors have changed. Masks and sanitizing are new features in our wheelhouse. We must remember you cannot install countertops virtually. Tom: LOL. That is so true. So now I want to evaluate your clairvoyance

skills. What do you see on the horizon for 2022? Sandy: My crystal ball is always a bit fuzzy, and it is always turning, swirling and thinking! I would base my comments on those who do these predictions for a living. I am hearing from economists that the supply chain will catch up. I think this new COVID variant omicron and our leaders’ responses to that may have a real impact on whether that happens. What are some of your thoughts? Tom: Great point. I think the changes in how detailed contracts have become will remain. And that is a good thing. I think inflation will continue to inch upward even though it is an election year. Sandy: And Tom, I bet we see 40year mortgages at some point in time. I am not even sure what “normal” is anymore. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it. Tom: I keep hearing about the new normal. I hope that is not going to be a reality. Fear seems to have become more of a driving factor and that is not good. I believe that is more divisive than productive. Sandy: There are so many topics, political points of view and social baggage that divide us nowadays. I am saddened by that. We need to find

more ways to compliment and enjoy people for who we are. Being respectful and being grateful. Now those are changes I can really get behind! Tom: Amen. Tom and Sandy: Together, we say Happy New Year and let us all be grateful for life in general. Let us be grateful for work, let us be grateful for friends and family, let us be grateful for love and laughter, and let us be grateful for every random thing possible! Thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy. You are in good company, and we love sharing our talk with you. QCBN Tom Reilly, Architect, Renovations, 928445-8506 renovationsaz.com Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association, 928-7780040 Remember to tune in to YCCA’s Hammer Time every Saturday and Sunday morning 7 a.m. on KQNA 1130 AM/99.9 FM/95.5FM or the web kqna.com. Listen to Sandy and Mike talk about the construction industry and meet your local community partners. Hammer Time is a great way to start your weekend.

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Anticipating Another Strong Seller’s Market

By Leslie Guiley

he real estate market outlook for 2022 is for a strong year on most accounts but a year that may seem quite boring compared to 2021. The projections call for a continued seller’s market, but with less frenetic activity and competitive bidding than we experienced in 2021. To get an idea of the overall national real-estate market, typically we sell about five-and-a-half million homes across the country each year. Last year, close to seven million homes sold. In 2022, that number is projected to be six-and-a-half million - still very high, but not as active as 2021. The National Association of Realtors predicts a 2.9% overall increase in property values nationwide. However, Arizona will continue to be the third

most popular destination for those looking to retire, find a new job or escape the weather or the political climate in other areas. We are one of the top states for job growth and our demographics remain strong for people who are retiring. In addition, we still expect individuals, families and businesses to be moving in from more populated states like California and colder places like Chicago. On Arizona’s construction front, more homes are being built, but builders have not been able to keep up with demand; therefore, we will continue to see price increases, but not likely as high as we witnessed in 2020 and 2021. Rents are forecast to rise 8% to 10%, as demand continues to be strong and we have a shortage of supply especially at the affordable end of the spectrum. Economists say interest rates are

// Economists say interest rates are going to rise; however, they will still be very affordable at around 4%. This may not have a big impact on the Prescottarea real estate market, as we continue to see a good portion of homes purchased with cash. //

Eating Healthy Food is Part of Self-Care By Debbie Maranville, QCBN When you hear the term “self-care,” what comes to mind? For many years, I have thought that self-care involved getting a massage, receiving a luxurious facial, hiking in our beautiful forests, attending a fancy retreat, relaxing in a bubble bath, reading a good book and listening to jazz music with some lighted candles. Through the years, I have found that self-care was holding my grandsons and rocking them to sleep after storytime or sitting on the porch and watching deer walk through the yard and gaze into our eyes. I became an herbalist in 2017 and learned the power of plants and herbs. The education I received has allowed my company to include wholesome ingredients in the meals we cook and cater for our clients. Fresh and dried herbs added to the recipe brings out an essence that is so amazing with every bite. Not only good for you, it tastes so fresh. We need self-care all the time. Self-care practices are activities we engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain well-being. My chiropractor, Dr. Robert

Boehland, has been essential in the care of my neurological system. I could not function as I do without his care. Eating food you enjoy is self-care. I also use cooking as a form of relaxation and nurturing. Meal planning to save you time later in the week is also a tool of self-care. Eating ice cream to make you feel better can be self-care. Baking can also be a form of self-care. Working through struggles with food and challenging eating disorders is self-care. We have some wonderful professionals in our community who can assist. I would be happy to connect anyone in the community with local professionals. Self-care is about honoring your body and respecting yourself. In 2022, we will continue to focus on education to promote healthy food and healthy living. We want to create the opportunity for everyone to be able to make great choices when it comes to food and self-care. May 2022 bring prosperity, love and wonderful self-care to all. QCBN Debbie Maranville is the co-owner of Goods from the Garden, Catering and Events and The Natural Healing Garden Massage and Wellness Center.

going to rise; however, still will be very affordable, at around 4%. This may not have a big impact on the Prescott-area real estate market as we continue to see a good portion of homes purchased with cash. One trend we are noticing is a big interest in land. Investors are diversifying their portfolios and some people are choosing to buy lots now with the intention of building later. This has made rural areas with wide open spaces, like Chino Valley, more popular among developers. Brown Homes is currently building homes on one-acre lots with RV garages in a subdivision called Heritage Pointe and has a new subdivision on the way. Arizona Development Company is building two new communities targeted at affordable price points that are expected to be available in late 2022 or early 2023. Craftsman Court will have 45 single family homes starting in the low 300s and Parkview at Brightstar will have 31 single family attached patio homes starting in the high 200s. Home prices in Chino Valley and Prescott Valley have gone up more than 20% year-over-year from 2020 to 2021. Prescott is showing a 6% increase, which would be a healthy increase in any other year, but not as much in 2021 primarily because prices had

Realtors are seeing more interest in rural areas with wide open spaces, like Chino Valley, where the median sales price has increased more than 20% year over year from 2020 to 2021. Courtesy graphic

already increased quite a bit in 2020. In 2022, we will talk more about solutions around the lack of supply and increased demand as the Quad Cities area and other parts of Arizona continue to be highly desirable places to live. QCBN

For more information, please visit our office or call 928-443-8800 or bloomtreerealty. com. Leslie Guiley is chief operating officer at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate | BloomTree Realty, which includes BHGRE Commercial and she is an area ambassador with Inman News.

DRAMA continued from page 13

might get really aggressive and take on actions that probably were not connected to an outcome that I had for the day.” N is for the Net Result. “Did that action move me closer to, or further away from, my intended outcome? Most people don’t go through life with outcomes in mind. We wake up and have expectations and the moment we come across someone who may have a different idea, we might become triggered.” Shah suggests we go through these OCEAN steps the moment we recognize we are having an intense emotional response to cut down the time we spend on negative emotions, learn to see reactions coming, let them pass like a wave and visualize possible responses that would lead to a desired outcome. An effective exercise he uses as an executive coach is to suggest the client imagine a powerful personality, either real or fictitious, that he or she respects, and then consider how that person would handle the situation. “I wrote the book to end the confusion by organizing myself into two distinct identities, the kid and the king, and rather than trying to fight with this part of me, rather than try to squash this kid, I’ve actually gotten to know that part of me so well that I can anticipate the times and the circumstances, the kinds of people, the tonalities, the conversations, the topics that are going to bring that little kid right to forefront and want to start

Shasheen Shah, shown here on a Mount Kilimanjaro trek, says time spent in nature has the ability to “right-size” us. “For me, it reveals a power greater than myself, an interconnectedness and perfectness.”Courtesy photo

barking like a dog or running away or feeling insecure, or whatever it might be. And that is the goal, to just allow this space for part of that to come in, meet it where it is, look at it and just kind of move on and just think about what that king would do.” To hear more from Shasheen Shah, visit Zonie Living: Business, Adven-

ture and Leadership on StarWorldwideNetworks.com. “The Kid and the King: The Hidden Inner Struggle High Achievers Must Conquer to Reignite and Reengage with Life” is available in paperback and audiobook through Amazon. QCBN

JANUARY 2022 // Quad Cities Business News

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Bringing Together Professional Musicians and Grade-School Composers

By Sandra Farrell

rizona Philharmonic’s Jan. 9 performance of ¡Andalusia!, the Music of Southern Spain, has taken on a special Prescott community involvement. Not only is Maestro Peter Bay leading the orchestra with three exceptional soloists (Maria Flurry on marimba, and flamenco artist husband and wife team Chris Burton-Jácome on guitar and Lena Jácome, dancer), but there will be a special Prescott guest conductor and a selection of mini-compositions from Prescott-area school students.

CONDUCTOR IN CHIEF

“At a recent luncheon, Police Chief Amy Bonney shared with me that she’d originally enrolled in Northern Arizona University to study music, with a dream of conducting,” said Arizona Philharmonic Executive Director Henry Flurry. “Early on, Chief Bonney redirected her energies to criminal justice, but never forgot her dream. We decided to make her dream a reality, so after some private coaching from Maestro Bay, Chief Bonney will conduct the Star-Spangled Banner at the introduction of AZ Phil’s ¡Andalusia! concert, 3 p.m. Jan. 9, at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. When offered this baton, Chief Bonney exclaimed, ‘Holy cow!’

// “We invite everyone to join us to witness Chief Bonney’s debut at the podium. Prescott Mayor Phil Goode will introduce the chief, and AZ Phil will contribute a portion of the concert proceeds to the Prescott Police Youth Role Model Scholarship Program,” added Flurry. //

“We invite everyone to join us to witness Chief Bonney’s debut at the podium. Prescott Mayor Phil Goode will introduce the chief, and AZ Phil will contribute a portion of the concert proceeds to the Prescott Police Youth Role Model Scholarship Program,” added Flurry. Information on that program be found at prescottpolicefoundation. org/. Organizations and individuals are invited to contact Henry Flurry at henry@azphil.org and match AZ Phil’s contribution. Tickets for ¡Andalusia! are available at AZPhil.org.

¡ANDALUSIA! - THE MUSIC OF SOUTHERN SPAIN

Maestro Peter Bay will conduct a dramatic exploration of the music of Southern Spain in ¡Andalusia! Featured on the concert is Impulso: Symphonic Dances for Marimba, Flamenco Guitar and Dancer by Henry Flurry and Chris Burton-Jácome. Maria Flurry solos on marimba, Burton-Jácome on flamenco guitar, and Lena Jácome as flamenco dancer. Impulso melds the flamenco and classical traditions into an exciting journey of passion, tragedy and joy. This is the first time the entire work will be performed in Prescott.

Getting Ready for a Move

By Lucy Leyva

oving is one of the hardest things people do. How many times have you said or heard someone say, “This is the LAST time I’m moving!” Contrary to our best laid plans, often we find ourselves in the throes of a move. Time deadlines, packing, moving companies, home repairs, purchasing or renting coordination with the new place, all create havoc and stress during these life events. If you were renting, you no doubt have a several-page list from the management of what is required to get your deposit back. If you are selling your home, often there are many things in preparation of sale or requirements in the sales contract that have to be addressed. The time between making the decision to move and when the last box is unpacked in your new home can be some of the most difficult times people experience in their lives. Beyond a moral obligation to leave your current place in decent condition for the new occupants, there is often a contractual or legal requirement to have certain things accomplished. Cleaning is one of the important factors that has to be considered. Once you’ve made the

repairs, packed the boxes, moved the boxes and furniture, and unloaded them in the new house, the last thing most people want to do is clean every nook and cranny of the previous home. Some people will say to us, “Well, the whole place will be empty, so it should be pretty easy.” On the contrary, a move-out cleaning is the most intense and detailed clean we see in our industry. Here are some of the things that should be done for your previous home to be ready for the next owner or renter. N Clean inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer in kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. N Clean all kitchen appliances, oven and fridge, inside and outside. N Clean all the light fixtures and ceiling fans. N Clean the baseboards, doors, door frames and wood trim. N Clean ceiling, wall and floor vents. N A full disinfectant cleaning of the bathrooms, including toilets, sinks, bathtubs, shower, floors, mirrors, lights, shelves. N Clean inside all closets and shelves. N Disinfectant cleaning of all touch points (light switches, knobs, etc.) and counters.

N Vacuum and mop all floors. N Window cleaning inside, outside, sills, blinds, screens and tracks. N Carpet cleaning. N The list can be longer, because there are additional things to consider like the garage or detached buildings or sheds. Having a professional company come in and take care of this responsibility relieves some of the worry and time constraints. It also shows your management company or new buyers that you did your due diligence. Consider hiring professionals to help you with these important cleaning tasks. We wish you the best in your future moves and are here to help. QCBN Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Police Chief Amy Bonney fulfills a dream conducting the Star-Spangled Banner for AZ Phil’s Jan. 9 concert. Courtesy Photo

The concert will also include Manuel de Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat Suite and Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite, two suites derived from stage works set in Andalusia, Spain.

TRIPLE TREAT

As a special treat, the concert will open with a suite of miniature works for orchestra that were group-composed by

area public-school classes. “Prior to the pandemic, AZ Phil collaborated with the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium on this outreach project supported by the City of Prescott Acker Trust Fund,” explained Flurry. “Students attended a special planetarium show to learn about night-sky objects inspired by animals. AZ Phil then visited the classrooms where students composed short orchestral works about these animals.” The pieces were to be premiered in May 2020, but were delayed until this concert. Arizona Philharmonic, a 501(c)3, is celebrating its fourth season as Prescott’s regional professional orchestra. Visit AZPhil.org for more information. QCBN Sandra Farrell is a former broadcast and print journalist. More recently, she was press secretary for elected officials and she retired from the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank as media manager. She and her husband and two dogs moved to Prescott a year ago and love all things Prescott. She is a volunteer with Arizona Philharmonic, AZPhil.org.

DAVIDSON continued from page 10

quality of life. Identify and encourage protection and development of parks, trails, recreational, cultural and public areas that enhance the uniqueness of the community. N Develop and increase opportunities for more and better jobs. Special emphasis to be placed on developing economic opportunities for younger people to find meaningful jobs with good salaries so they will not have to leave the area. One challenge Davidson identified was finding revenue to meet such concerns as improving roads and transportation, especially along Highway 69. Davidson said he admired how the Quad Cities communities cooperated and collaborated on projects and programs that affected the greater region. Prescott Valley Mayor Kell Palguta praised Davidson, saying, “Davidson is the tip of the spear when it comes to his vision, dedication and desire to make Prescott Valley an even more amazing place. We are all fortunate to have such a person leading our organization.” Palguta noted that Davidson’s prior experience as Marana town manager provides him with great experience and insight because Marana had experienced the same kind of rapid growth and expansion as PV is currently undergoing. Davidson replaced Larry Tarkowski, who retired last spring as long-time PV town manager. Davidson came to PV from the University of Arizona, where he had been employed in a senior consulting position from February 2020 until July 2021. Prior to that, he had been in the Office of the Governor for the State of Arizona, where he served as the chief operating officer for Gov. Doug Ducey from November 2017 until December 2019. Davidson also had experience as city manager for Wilcox from July 2002 until July 2005. He earned three degrees from the University of Arizona, two bachelor’s degrees and, most recently, a master’s in public administration. He also earned a certificate from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. His wife, Paige, is a teacher in an ESL program in a PV school. Ann, his 8-year-old daughter, is a third grader in a local public school. QCBN

Quad Cities Business News // JANUARY 2022

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Academic Leaders Meet with Pure Wafer Executive By Ray Newton, QCBN

ployment at the manufacturing plant. ERAU Chancellor Karlsson said that for others, it might involve different aspects of research and applications of microchip technology. Both agreed that there was great potential for career growth for students. Following an intensive question and answer session, Sidhwa led the group on a private tour through the 44,000-square-foot building, on which they were clad in "bunny suits," which prevented them from contaminating the interior environment of the highly secured, ultra-clean manufacturing plant. QCBN

utual interest in providing exceptional learning experiences and employment opportunities in what is becoming one of the nation's major technological industries prompted a meeting of Prescott college and university leaders with the vice president of operations for Pure Wafer Inc., the Prescott-based supplier of virgin silicon wafer and wafer reclaim services. Ardy Sidhwa, Ph.D., greeted five academic leaders for an all-afternoon meeting Nov. 10 at the Pure Wafer plant in Prescott. They included Yavapai College President Lisa Rhine and Vice President of Community Relations Rodney Jenkins, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Chancellor Anette Karlsson, Dean of Engineering Ronald Madler and Executive Director of Development Steve Bobinsky. Emphasizing the microchip industry touches virtually every technological, scientific and medical business enterprise - and certainly educational endeavor - in the world, Sidhwa shared the history of Pure Wafer with the academics. He also emphasized that use of microchip technology in the overall education process is increasing exponentially throughout the world.

WAFER continued from page 4

ERAU Chancellor Anette Karlsson, ERAU Development Director Steve Bobinski, Yavapai College President Lisa Rhine, ERAU Engineering Dean Ron Madler and YC Vice President of Community Affairs Rodney Jenkins learned about the microchip wafer manufacturing process during a tour with Pure Wafer Vice President of Operations Ardy Sidhwa. Photo by Ray Newton

their lives. Virtually nothing anymore is untouched by what is occurring because of microchips," said Sidhwa, who has a doctorate in engineering and related computer science disciplines. The group shared thoughts on how building a relationship between Pure

He stressed that Pure Wafer is now focusing on creating efficiency for a customer base that includes most of the world's semiconductor manufacturers. "We need to let people of all generations know of the impact that electronic technology has upon every aspect of

Wafer and the two institutions, particularly with students who had interest in high-level technological advancements, will benefit from more mutual interaction. YC President Rhine noted that for some students, it might involve em-

and his world-class management team as Pure Wafer penetrates new markets and continues to execute its growth strategy,” said Pure Wafer Board Chair Bob Girton. “We welcome the Noel team to the Pure Wafer family. We are excited to continue to invest to grow the service offering and to enhance the customer experience.” QCBN For more information, visit purewafer. com.

TRAIN continued from page 12

enjoys playing drums. “Weekends are never long enough,” he said. The Grand Canyon Railway Hotel is located in Williams and has daily round-trip excursions to the Grand Canyon. The Polar Express will run through Dec. 30. For more information, call 888-848-3511.

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Downtown Corridor Taking Shape p. 3

American Icon Closing its Doors p. 4 Athena Coming to Prescott p. 6 Bringing Renewable Energy to Navajo Nation p. 8

New SANA Hosp ital Community Medic Fills al Need

By Ray Newton,

QCBN

aying everyone in the community will benefit from the opening of a state-of-the art hospital, Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli welcomed executives, administrators, healthcare professionals, elected officials, staff personnel and residents at the grand opening of SANA Behavioral Hospital during afternoon ceremonies on Dec. 9.

2020 ISSUE:

Considering Corals on Next Beach Vacation Your p.11 Community Profile: Saddling Up with Joe Marshall p. 13

Editor Bonnie Stevens | 928-380-4349 bonnie.stevens@gmail.com Copy Editor Carolyn Wendell | cwendell@gmail.com

The parking lot was crowded as visitors toured the SANA in Prescott 15,378-squarewas based on exfoot, one-story, tensive research recently constructed about medical needs viding acute integrated in-patient medical facility, of the broader community. psychiatric and medical estimated to cost care to between $9 million adults age 65 and Pierce told the crowd and $10 million. above on Medicare, occupancy will begin that official SANA Hospital and 55 and above Administrator with additional when the AriPamela K. Pierce zona Department contractors as they introduced Kirk of Health Services add SANA to the Olsen, principal Medical Licensing provider networks. and owner of ERH unit Healthcare, a Salt hospital and licenses surveys the In an exclusive interview Lake it with Quad hospital development City-based Hospital in Geriatric as a “Specialty Cities Business News, Pierce, a highly company that Psychiatry.” manages SANA That was expected credentialed behavioral hospitals. to occur at the end health leader of December, she Olsen said the decision with more than 30 said. years of experience, to build described the 24-bed The hospital will focus on prohospital with 14 Continued on

Winfield at the Ranch Preparing for Reside nts page 39

By Ray Newton, QCBN was once the site of one luxurious apartments the wealthiest quartz of arketing itself as will exore gold tract spectacular mines in Central vistas “Prescott’s premier Arizona. south over panoramic looking Located on the eastern luxury apartment rolling hills and natural of Prescott and nestled edge community,” Winfield surroundon the at the ings toward the south side of Bullwhacker Ranch is nearing Bradshaw competition. Hill, Mountains. the site was famous Pre-leasing is to for almost begin this The six-building 60 years – 1876 to month, with new apart1936 – as residents ment complex at Bullwhacker Mine. expected to begin 1470 Lee Records moving in Circle will house show that hundreds around March 1. 100 apartof gold ore were extractedtons of ment units, all of which Luxury may be the from germane the steep elevated views. Residentshave term for the apartments, hillsides before the here for will have almost mine closed. they are being built immediate on what access to retail shopping Now, those who rent the and

The soon-to-be completed 100 luxury apartments Prescott will feature at Winfield at one and two-bedroom begin in March. units on a seven-acrethe Ranch on the east boundary Photo by Ray Newton of property. Occupancy is scheduled January 2020 |

Phone 928-864-7440 Fax 928-226-0303 The Courtyard Building | 115 E. Goodwin Street - Suite D, Prescott, AZ 86303 troy@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com Web quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

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Design & Production Rob Ghosh Design | rob@robghosh.com

WHO’S THE BEST

page 36

OF THE BEST?

OUR BEST OF BUSINESS WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCE D ON PAGE 32

THE LAST TIME I LAUGHED

My daughters make me laugh all the time. Somehow they are the funniest humans alive. Any of their TikTok videos put me in stitches. QCBN

INSIDE THE FEBRUARY

Willow Creek Apart Ready for Occup ments ancy A By Ray Newton,

QCBN

rea residents who prefer apartments in the north-central area of Prescott now have that opportunity.

Willow Creek Apartments, a 160unit complex on a five-acre development located at 3137 Willow Creek Road, is accepting renters for studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom carriage house apartments. and

Owner-developer Cole Johnson told the Quad Cities house building and Business News fitness center. that the garden-style The approximate value apartments had been many years project is approaching of the total in the making. $40 million, Johnson said. “We now have from the City of Prescott certificates Six apartment floor of occupancy. plans range Residents are moving in square footage from about 670 to in. I’m thrilled to see these new 1,188 square feet. residents in what Floor plans can be I believe are the nicest viewed at willowcreekaptsprescott. apartments of their type in the com/floorplans. community.” Rental rates also can be viewed on the There are seven same link, Johnson buildings in the complex, one of said. They range which is the clubfrom $1,100 to $1,768 a month. Some utilities are included.

ERAU, Lowell Observatory Partner Up p. 4 Forest Health Hero Retires from Academia p. 6 Blushing Cactus Photography Showcases Quad Cities p. 8 Barrett-Jackson Gleams

2020 ISSUE:

with Car Show Tradition p. 11 Community Profile: Craig Brown Discusses Jail, Water Concerns p. 13

Currently, those interested can take advantage of the grand opening promotion, which allows the choice of a six-month rental option. Also available is an extended stay rental for a minimum of 30 days. Johnson said all units feature a fullsize washer and dryer, stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite counter tops and spacious living areas with wood plank flooring and carpeting, Continued on

page 36

Region Celebrates Terminal Constru Airport ction

By Ray Newton, QCBN tossing of dirt to initiate during years of planning construction process. the fter years of planning, and preparation. Prescott Regional an official groundAirStating the new port Director Robin breaking for the terminal Sobotta $15 will make it possible praised the support million passenger to inshe and terminal at crease the number the city Prescott Regional of flights to Airport had Aviationreceived from Federal and from Prescott, more than 200 invited Administration she emphaguests sized it would have Regional Administrator applauding and a dramatic cheering on Mark economic McClardy and his impact on the rethe afternoon of colleagues. Jan. 7 gional economy. She also thanked Dignitaries from Sobotta said TransportaPrescott, economic studies tion Security Administration Prescott Valley and reveal the Chino new terminal could Assistant Valley joined state generate as and federal Director Federal Security much as $160 million officials in the ceremonial Justin Bryant for annually the for the local economy. support the TSA provided

Dignitaries from around Airport’s new terminal. the Quad Cities dug in during the groundbreaking Photo by Kay Lyons

February 2020

| Issue 2 Volume 8

ceremony for Prescott

Regional

WHO’S THE

Continued on

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BEST OF THE BEST?

OUR BEST OF BUSINESS WINNERS ARE ANNOUNCE D ON PAGE 32

Web Content Editor news@quadcitiesbusinessnews.com

Contributing Writers Bonnie Stevens Patty McCormac Sue Marceau Ray Newton Tom Vitron Starla Collins Contributing Photographers Kay Lyons, Bonnie Stevens, Ray Newton, Sue Marceau, Stacey Wittig, Veronica Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography The Quad Cities Business News is a publication of Quad Cities Business News, LLC and distributed free each month to residents of Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt. 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.

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FARM continued from page 1

to-table date nights. We’ll have some farm animals and also offer ways for people to participate in growing food and learning right along with us. The emphasis is all about bringing people together.” After the pair purchased the Chino Valley property in early 2021, Banayat realized she could not effectively divide her time between the two businesses. An ownership transfer of WingSpace to Heidi Lekan closes this month (January 2022). (Watch for more about Lekan in the February QCBN.) “Even micro-farms require a lot of time, and it is hard, physical work, so

I needed to make a decision,” Banayat shared. “I knew I would need to pass the baton of ownership to someone else to take over WingSpace and hopefully make it even better.” The pressing goal for the couple is construction of a two-story, multiuse barn containing an art studio for Banayat, workshop for Fine, event space, and a short-term one-bedroom vacation rental. With the current stressed construction industry and supply chain issues, they estimate it will take at least six months to obtain the required building permits. Banayat will general contract with the help of an experienced construction

// “I love our home,” she said. “I call her our ugly duckling on a hill, because someday she will become a nice looking swan. The property had everything on our checklist and the land itself is pretty much a blank canvas, which will allow us to implement permaculture principles as we develop the farmstead. We want to arrange gardens and trees and buildings in accordance with the lay of the land to create a flourishing natural ecosystem.” //

consultant, while Fine will function as job site superintendent. She noted that “starting WingSpace from the ground up taught me a lot about the value of relationships and finding people who believe in your vision. I learned to listen to what is important to others and how important it is to pull people together to plan and problem-solve with you. I also learned that I had to step into a leadership role, even though I never viewed myself as a leader.” “When you want something bad enough, you’re willing to take on roles that you never imagined you would,” she said. “This barn is a key aspect to this farmstead, so we’re in for some pretty big learning curves. We’ll be putting more trust in God to guide us and connect us with the right people who can help.” Fine anticipates transitioning from his house painting business once the barn is completed. He retired in 1998 as a captain with the Prescott Fire Department after 20 years of service locally and eight prior years of firefighting in California. A Vietnam veteran, he also taught fire science at Yavapai College, volunteered for 10 years with the Prescott Frontier Days rodeo, and served three years as president of the Prescott High School Booster Club.

He describes the micro-farm as “a long-held dream, which I’m excited to live with someone who is as enthused as I.” Banayat explained that Fine’s micro-farming experience consists of large gardens, chickens, goats, pigs, a cow and horses. She herself has gardened for the past 10 years and “absolutely loved living one season on a small 10-acre farm with a dozen pregnant cows.” The farmstead site sits on a hill near Reed Road and Center Street, housing a single-wide manufactured home with a large covered porch and mountain views from Granite Mountain to the San Francisco Peaks. “I love our home,” she said. “I call her our ugly duckling on a hill, because someday she will become a nice looking swan. The property had everything on our checklist and the land itself is pretty much a blank canvas, which will allow us to implement permaculture principles as we develop the farmstead. We want to arrange gardens and trees and buildings in accordance with the lay of the land to create a flourishing natural ecosystem.” Having a studio in which to create art is one of the things Banayat said she most looks forward to. “The focus of my art has always

been about rising from the ashes and healing challenging relationships. Our country has become so divided and so many relationships are broken, oftentimes due to misunderstandings. I will be developing a new greeting card line that addresses some of these harder issues in such a way that helps break down the walls of misunderstandings. Using beautiful, artful imagery to convey a message along with poignant prose can be a very powerful way to reach into people’s hardened hearts.” Her branded Miligirl Collection will include print-on-demand art prints, notecards, journals and possibly clothing or home décor, she said. She also plans to formulate skin care products from herbs and flowers grown on the farmstead. The duo is documenting the venture’s progress via their Fruition Farmstead YouTube and Rumble. com channels. Their mailing list offers the public information about future events and ways to assist the venture. For more information, visit FruitionFarmstead.com. QCBN

I-17 continued from page 1

FANN CONTRACTING EAGER TO BEGIN

Mike Fann, owner of Fann Contracting, in an exclusive interview from his Prescott office, told the Quad Cities Business News that once begun, construction will be carried out simultaneously along all 23 miles of I-17. He emphasized that rarely would there be traffic delays or stoppage while construction is underway. “The only time we expect we will have any traffic delay at all because of construction is when we have to blast,” he said. “As soon as that action is taken and we have assurance that no safety issues are involved, traffic will be moving again.” The project includes widening 15 miles of four-lane highway, replacing two bridges and one bridge deck, widening 10 bridges, and the creation of eight miles of what are being called “flex lanes.” In cooperation with ADOT, it was determined the I-17 flex lanes will operate as separate two-lane roads that carry one direction of traffic at a time in either a north or south direction. “The flow of traffic will be determined by what is the greatest need at the time along that winding eight miles of mountain driving between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point,” Fann said. For example, flex lanes will be able to carry major northbound traffic on a Friday or Saturday, but on a Sun-

day, ADOT will be able to open the flex lanes to take southbound traffic to Phoenix. ‘’You need to know that the flex lanes will be next to, but separated with concrete barriers, from the southbound I-17 lanes. Access to flex lanes will be controlled by carefully monitored gates,” said Fann. “My company has the responsibility of monitoring those gates for three years after the construction is completed. Believe me, that is a responsibility we will take very seriously. Public safety is involved.” The concept of flex lanes is fairly new, and is one that has been endorsed by ADOT. Because so much traffic congestion occurs on weekends, the KFJV team is developing procedures to limit most lane delays for construction to weeknights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. “Our work crews will be sensitive to when traffic is the heaviest. Even though we’ll be working along the entire 23 miles for the next three years, we’ll be scheduling our work so that traffic slowdowns or stoppages are minimal,” said Fann. “We’ll be especially alert to not having delays caused by day crews. We’ll also be sensitive to when weekend travel is the heaviest - during holidays and such events.” During peak construction times, more than 500 people will be employed. “We are going to be adhering to a DBOM business model – Design, Build, Operate and Maintain. Part of

Mike Fann, owner of Fann Contracting, studies the aerial maps of the Interstate 17 improvement project scheduled to begin in April or May. The $446 million project is designed to provide more flexibility and reduce traffic delays on 23 miles of the major route between Phoenix and Flagstaff. Photo by Ray Newton

my contract – and this is the biggest contract I’ve ever had – says that KFJV will remain responsible for maintaining the safe and functional operation of this stretch of I-17 for three years after the actual construction is done.”

FUNDS TO PAY FOR PROJECT

Funding sources for the improvement project come from a variety of sources. They include the following:

N $40 million from Arizona’s higherthan-expected recovery revenue and Federal COVID-relief funds; N $130 million from state highway funds appropriated by the Arizona Legislature in 2019; N $90 million from an Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant; N $50 million from the Maricopa Association of Governments as the Maricopa County portion of the project;

N $135.9 million from Federal and matching state highway funds, including $83.6 million approved by the Arizona State Transportation Board this past October. For more information, visit azdot. gov.gov/. QCBN

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