By Linda Kor
The Arizona Commerce Authority has announced that Real AZ Corridor has been awarded a Vision Grant of up to $50,000. This reimbursable grant program is designed to enhance the economic development infrastructure of rural regions around the state, and was presented to organizations committed to enhancing and expanding economic development systems, establishing projects and programs focused on creating jobs, and increasing wages.
Awardees in the program were selected based on their proposed projects’ economic impact, quality of project plan, demonstrated local support and more. Proposed projects must be started and completed within one year.
“These grants are assisting rural Arizona communities with the creation of more strategic economic develop-ment and marketing plans, the funding of labor market assessments to better understand available workforce, and the facilitation of long-term strategy to further develop base sectors,” said Keith Watkins, senior vice president of Rural Development for the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The ACA is committed to helping fund these critical growth projects to ensure a stronger, more viable statewide economy.”
Real AZ Corridor is a volunteer organization comprised of representatives of communities throughout Navajo and Apache counties. The objective of the organization is to promote and encourage economic development throughout those regions.
Total grant funds of $250,000 will be divided between Real AZ Corridor and four other awardees, including Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona, Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., and Prescott Valley Economic Development Foundation.
For more information on Real AZ Corridor, visit www.realazcorridor.com.
Sep 072012
