UPDATE – Recognizing that Northeast Arizona would benefit by developing local economic development strategic plans as well as a regional plan to support and sustain the economy, Economic Development for Apache County (EDAC) submitted a grant request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the summer of 2010 to fund a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development. Since then, many of the cities, towns, and tribes of the region have been participating as a group to oversee the development of the local plans.

The goal of this collaborative effort is to better position the communities and tribes of the region to address the challenging times of our day. We are working together on important regional efforts to develop the tourism industry, support our natural resources industry, and support local small businesses.

In 2011, local plans were being drafted for the Hopi Tribe, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Town of Eagar. Planning efforts for other communities and tribes are underway in 2012 for the towns of St Johns and Springerville.

For more information about this collaborative economic development strategic planning effort, see the contact page.