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Consultants present updated economic strategy; tourism staff report favorable travel trends
Summary
Consultants from Chavin Concepts and a corporate site‑selection advisor presented a draft update to Kingman’s economic development strategy focusing on traded‑sector growth, site readiness and place‑making. City staff also reported takeaways from the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism, identifying road‑trip demand and generational travel
Consultants working with the city presented a draft update to Kingman’s economic development strategy and staff summarized tourism takeaways they said could help shape marketing and investment priorities. Thatch Moyle, working with Chavin Concepts, said the 2025 update refines the 2019 strategic plan rather than replacing it, building on gains the city has made since 2019: population growth of roughly 11 percent since 2019, what the consultants reported as $1.2 billion in taxable sales since 2024, and an increase in traded‑sector jobs of about 66 percent in recent years. The update emphasizes preparing larger, shovel‑ready sites (including potential FAA land releases near the airport), strengthening infrastructure and utilities, promoting the airport industrial park’s logistics advantages and coordinating workforce programs such as the AMTC (Advanced Manufacturing Training Center) and Mohave Community College partnerships. Consultants recommended treating economic development as a “three‑legged stool” of traded‑sector jobs, visitor driven activity and local‑serving retail, and they urged targeted steps to improve site readiness (water, sewer, power and broadband) and to better brand Kingman as a Northwest Arizona regional hub. Separately, tourism staff reported takeaways from the Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Staff said domestic road‑trip demand remains strong and that younger travelers (Gen Z and millennials) show strong interest in off‑the‑beaten‑path experiences, day‑in‑the‑life local activities and sharing reviews online. Staff noted some international markets remain soft but that Arizona overall continues to show resilience; staff also described practical steps to improve online discoverability, including better search‑engine optimization and preparing authoritative content for AI and travel platforms. Next steps: Consultants will finalize the draft strategy with staff feedback, and the city will continue to promote site readiness, infrastructure investments and destination branding ahead of upcoming centennial Route 66 events.
