Payson, Arizona • 85541 • Area Code 928 • Arizona Time Zone
About Payson... L
ocated at the geographic "heart" of the state of Arizona and a pleasant 90-minute drive from the Phoenix metropolitan area, Payson is renowned for its beauty, recreational opportunities and, more recently, its dynamic business and investment environment. At an elevation of 4,890 feet, the area enjoys a mild fourseason climate that attracts visitors from all over the world throughout the year. Rich in its western heritage, Payson - with an average trade area population of some 30,000 - offers the atmosphere of rural America, with the amenities of a metropolis. SCENIC ATTRACTIONS Nestled in the gently rolling foothills of the majestic Mogollon Rim - a 7,000 foot, 200 mile long escarpment - Payson is just a short drive away from the seven Rim Lakes and countless trout streams. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, fishing, camping, cross-country skiing and hunting. One of only three pure air ozone belts in the world, Payson sits on the edge of the world's largest stand of Ponderosa pine. Local attractions include the Tonto Natural Bridge, Shoo-Fly Indian Archaeological Site, the Zane Grey Museum, Tonto Fish Hatchery, the Llama Ranch, the town-wide Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the 45-acre Green Valley Lake and Recreation Area. Payson hosts the "World's Oldest Continuous Rodeo" in August in its new Multi-Event Center. The "Festival Capitol of Arizona" season begins with a May Classic Auto Show & Swap Meet, an "Old Timers Rodeo" and a Country Music Festival in June, and the Rim Country Western Heritage Festival in July, Rodeo and Parade in August, and State Championship Fiddlers Contest in September. COMMUNITY FACILITIES Payson offers a broad range of community facilities including a library, museum, multi-plex theater, golf course, four lighted tennis courts, an auditorium, swimming pool, three parks, a bowling alley, two health clubs and rodeo grounds. Communication. In addition to communication resources from the rest of the state, Payson has a local twice-weekly
newspaper, two local radio stations (AM & FM) and cable TV service with local government access. Satellite TV and cellular phone service is available, as is high-speed broadband internet service, from a number of local providers. Education. Payson has three public and three private elementary schools, one middle school, three charter schools, one high school and a new community college with five degree and three certificate programs. Medical. Banner Payson Medical Center has a 44-bed facility which provides inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, imaging, medical, surgical and emergency care to the greater Payson area. Additionally, there are three assisted living facilities, and over 30 Primary Care Physicians in the area, in addition to a number of osteopaths, orthodontists, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, opticians and ophthalmologists. Finance. There are three full-service banks and two mortgage banking offices in Payson. Further, Payson businesses are eligible for assistance in financing fixed assets through the Business Finance Division of the Arizona Department of Commerce. Information on industrial development bonds within the town may be obtained from the same source or from the Industrial Development Authority of Payson, Payson Economic Development Corporation, c/o Director for Economic Development, Payson Town Hall, 303 North Beeline Highway, Payson, Arizona 85541. Government. Payson is governed by a mayor, six council members and a town manager. The town has a local police department and a county sheriffs substation. The fire department has both full and part-time personnel. Airport. Payson Municipal Airport (CTAF 122.8 MHz) supports some 30,000 operations per year on its lighted 5,500' x 75' runway at 5,157' ASL, and offers FBO, fueling, maintenance and restaurant facilities. Industrial Properties. There are two industrial parks available, one located at the junction of State Highway 87 (Beeline Hwy) and State Highway 260, and the other adjacent to the Payson Municipal Airport. Lodging and Meeting Facilities. Payson is home to a number of hotels, motels and other lodging facilities with a total in excess of 600 rooms. Meeting facilities are available, with the largest seating 200 people. Additionally, the area offers several bed & breakfast and cabin-type facilities, as well as nine RV parks and six local campgrounds. Information provided by: The Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce (928) 474-4515, and the Arizona Department of Commerce (602) 280-1321.
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