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4 Corners Economic Development reports growth, workforce study and site work in San Juan County
Summary
4 Corners Economic Development told commissioners it secured grants, expanded outreach and will pursue a workforce study (funded by Arizona Public Service) and site-marketing to recruit employers to San Juan County.
Leaders from 4 Corners Economic Development told the San Juan County Commission they have stabilized the organization’s finances, secured grant funding and are pursuing active recruitment and workforce projects aimed at expanding local job opportunities.
Vince Moffett, board chair, and Tim Gibbs, the organization’s lead executive, reported to the commission that their top priorities remain business retention and expansion, recruitment, regional alignment and adding organizational capacity to support economic growth. “If we don't diversify this economy, we don't find ways for our children and our grandchildren to be able to have jobs here, they're gonna leave,” Moffett said, explaining the organization's mission.
Gibbs described specific actions underway: a workforce study to quantify local skills and displaced workers' competencies (he said Arizona Public Service is funding that study), targeting site consultants and company leads, and submitting San Juan Industrial Park information to the state for recruitment opportunities. He said 17 state-provided procurement requests were received last year and that more targeted engagement and prepared site information is needed to turn opportunities into recruitment wins.
Gibbs also reported recent grant activity and local collaborations. “We've actually had 5 grants over the course of a year for $315,000,” he said, and added that federal stimulus and grant funding had helped projects such as broadband, workforce programs and a planned spec building. The organization said it will continue business retention calls (aiming for at least 60 annually) and expand outreach to 30 companies this year through professional services.
Moffett described increased advocacy at the state legislature on bills the business community is tracking, including a paid medical family leave bill (House Bill 11). He encouraged business engagement with testimony and calls to legislators ahead of committee hearings.
Commissioners thanked 4 Corners leaders and discussed continued collaboration on rail, sites and workforce alignment.
