Yavapai Ranch Economic Benefits

Economic Benefits of the Land Exchange

This very complex land exchange is the result of years of discussions between the Yavapai Ranch family, the Forest Service, community groups, local officials and other stakeholders. This process has resulted in a balanced trade with significant benefits for northern Arizona’s economies and residents.

Tax Impacts – The cities and towns with lands involved in the trade will benefit from enhanced employment opportunities and additional tax revenues from commercial, light industrial and residential development.

Through the exchange, lands adjacent to the Flagstaff and Williams airports will be passed through to these cities for runway extensions and other airport improvements. Runway improvements are necessary to retain Flagstaff’s current level of air service and to attract new air service to additional destinations. Air service is vital to Northern Arizona’s tourism-based economies as well as business attraction, retention and expansion. Acquiring ownership of these lands from Yavapai Ranch rather than the Forest Service enables the cities to use federal matching grants for airport improvements and minimize general fund expenditures.

Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion – Business Park and commercial development are planned for some of the Flagstaff, Williams and Camp Verde parcels.

The business park expansion at Flagstaff’s Pulliam Airport will provide new land inventory for a key future employment center. The Greater Flagstaff Economic Council and Northern Arizona Technology & Business Incubator are working to attract technology companies, research and development projects, and regional corporate headquarters to diversify northern Arizona’s employment base.
Williams will benefit from commercial development at its airport, as well as ownership of the original nine holes and land for the Elephant Rock Golf Course.
A planned retail/commercial development along I-17 in Camp Verde will offer new business and employment opportunities, and provide a critically needed increase in the Town’s tax base.
Airport improvements are important for both Williams and Flagstaff. The runway extension and limited commercial development at the Williams airport will enhance tourist flights. Extension of the runway at Pulliam Airport is crucial for Flagstaff. The City risks reduced air service if its runway extension program is not completed by 2005 and it is unable to accommodate regional jets. In addition to tourist travel, Pulliam Airport serves the region’s major employers and Northern Arizona University.