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
T
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
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for your 2021 Best of Business Winners on page 24