Progress is one of those terms that, if you ask five different people what it means, you’ll get five different answers. While it’s hard to define, everyone knows what it is when they see it.
The Pioneer asked some people how to define progress, and here are the answers we got:
“Growth, development and working together to benefit our community,” – Melissa Newton, Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce & Tourism.
“Growth,” – Michael Kelly, Environmental Waste Solutions.
who are working to make sure our young people and others are ready to meet the challenges of the future.
In recent years, we’ve seen the arrival of major new developments, like the Lone Cactus Egg Farm from Rose Acre Farms, the Environmental Waste Solutions in Parker South, and the development of major solar power projects around the county.
Solar power looks like it will be particularly strong in our county.
With abundant sunshine and the proposed Ten West Link transmission line in the works, the Bureau of Land Management says there are seven major solar projects at various stages of development on BLM land in the county.
Executive Director of
“Progress can only be achieved when you rid yourself of the things hindering progress. When public servants use their position to benefit themselves, progress is impossible for the rest of us. True progress means evicting the grifters from your home, and then there’s plenty of room to invite progress in.” – Randy Hartless,
PAACE, Parker Town Council Member.
“If your question regarding progress is related to our county, I would say we are making significant progress. Progress is getting our financial house in order, getting the right people in the right positions, and putting policies and procedures in place to ensure we are good stewards of Taxpayers’ dollars. We are doing all of these things. Learning about the funds the County will be receiving means that we can move this progress forward much quicker. I am proud and excited that La Paz County will enter its 40th year in the best financial position it’s been in, in a very long time, if not in its history.” – Duce Minor La Paz County District 2 Supervisor.
For the Pioneer, progress is more than just jobs and growth. It’s improving the quality of life for a community’s residents. It’s about services and housing. It’s about meeting the expectations of the future, and making sure our young people are ready to face the challenges of the future.
You could say progress means moving forward to face and meet the challenges of the future.
From the looks of things, Parker and La Paz County have made some strong strides in these areas in recent years. We also have a lot of people
With this special section, we have tried to focus on some of the organizations and institutions that are working to build the local economy and get our community ready for the future. We have paid particular attention to educational institutions and those organizations that are working to bring jobs to our community.
You may also want to have a look at the story about the La Paz County Industrial Development Authority. It’s a long read, but it does explain how they act as a “conduit” for issuing bonds and use the fee money they collect to help the community.
We hope you find this section interesting, helpful and informative.
Given the nature of such a subject, I’m certain we left some people and groups out. I apologize in advance, and please by assured it was not a deliberate omission on the Pioneer’s part. If you feel you’ve been left out, give us a call. We can always profile you for our regular edition.
No matter how bad things may seem right now, the county has seen some real improvements in recent years. We have every reason to believe the future will be bright.
The La Paz Economic Development Corporation has been active in bringing new development to La Paz County. In bringing in projects like Rose Acre Farms, the La Paz EDC has changed the economy of the county.
The La Paz EDC has been recognized as one of the top economic development organizations in the state. Much of its success can be attributed to former President Vincent “Skip” Becker. He was named Small Community Economic Developer of the Year in 2015 by the Arizona Association for Economic Development. He has served on the AAED board, and has been their Rural Chairman.
At the time Becker received his award in 2015, Roberta Hoffman, the chairperson of the La Paz EDC said, “Skip works 70 to 80 hours a week and he has brought a level of professionalism to the area that we really needed. He has changed La Paz County and the towns of Parker, Bouse, Salome, Quartzsite and Wenden forever.”
Becker and the EDC worked with other entities, including Arizona Public Service, the Arizona & California Railroad, the chambers of commerce, and government entities to bring development to La Paz County. Among the projects he worked on are the Hampton Inn Hotel and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts in Parker.
By far the biggest project Becker brought to the county is the Lone Cactus Egg Farm of Rose Acre Farms. This company, which is based in Seymour, Ind., is the second largest egg producer in the nation. Their facility is located on 3,000 acres off State Route 72 south of Bouse that was previously owned
by APS.
In its first phase, Rose Acre Farms will employ 80 to 100 people. The facility currently houses 2 million laying hens. There are plans for expansion.
At the dedication of Rose Acre Farms’ grain terminal and railroad line in December 2018, Becker estimated he had spent 6,000 hours over the previous five years working to get the company to come to La Paz County.
When he was researching the company, Becker said he learned that Rose Acres’ employees were proud to work there, and Rose Acres
was family-oriented and a part of the communities where they had facilities.
At the dedication, Becker described Rose Acres as a familyowned business for three generations. He praised the woman he called the “family matriarch,” Lois Rust, as an incredible businesswoman. He described Rose Acres’ CEO, Marcus Rust, as a visionary who’s leading the company into the future.
Becker said Rust surrounds himself with people who can make that vision happen.
Becker also thanked the
Chairman of Rose Acres’ Board, John Rust, and Elias Hendrix, the director of the Lone Cactus Egg Farm. He also praised Chips Everhart, the man he worked with very closely to bring Rose Acres to La Paz County.
Becker offered thanks to a variety of people and organizations he said made it all happen: Arizona Public Service, which sold some of their land to Rose Acres; the Arizona & California Railroad and its parent company, Genesee & Wyoming; Burlington Northern-Santa Fe; the builders of the grain terminal, Summit Livestock Facilities; and the builders of the railroad line, Mountain States Contracting.
He also thanked agricultural engineer Jim Downing, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the La Paz County Board of Supervisors, the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the Town of Parker, and the Bouse and McMullen Valley Chambers of Commerce.
Finally, Becker thanked the La Paz EDC Board for allowing him to run the business professionally.
Before he left the EDC, Becker said he was interested in developing housing for the area. If they’re bringing in jobs, he said, workers would need somewhere to live so they can pay
and do their shopping here.
By JOHN GUTEKUNST PARKER PIONEER
Parker is the headquarters of the Arizona & California Railroad, which is part of the Genesee & Wyoming group. With a line that winds across La Paz County and into California, the railroad is a vital part of economic development in the county.
The railroad currently owns or leases 205 miles of main line, including 114 miles in Arizona and 91 miles in California. The line runs from a junction with Burlington Northern-Santa Fe in Matthie, Ariz. near Wickenburg to Cadiz, Calif. and another junction with BNSF. They have trackage rights over the BNSF into Phoenix.
The Association of American Railroads’ reporting marks for the Arizona & California are ARZC. These are included on all their freight cars.
When the Union Pacific abandoned its former Southern Pacific line from Buckeye, Ariz. to Yuma, the ARZC became the shortest route between Phoenix and the west coast.
As a sign of the growth in their business, the A&C recently took delivery of four C44-9W locomotives built by General Electric. They’re easy to spot in service as they have the newer “wide” cab found on more recent locomotive models, as opposed to the narrow cab found on the A & C’s older engines.
Tom Ciuba, a spokesperson for the A & C’s parent company, Genesee & Wyoming, said the A & C acquired these locomotives as part of a program to upgrade their fleet. He said
they were previously owned by Wabtec.
The C44-9Ws are the first locomotive the A & C has used with the wide cab. They are also the first to have been produced by General Electric. Prior to the arrival of these units, the A & C’s roster consisted entirely of locomotives built by Electro-Motive Diesel, which is now owned by Progress Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Caterpillar. For many years, they were the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Most of the A & C’s roster dates from the GM period.
The C44-9Ws are a step up from the A & C’s locomotives. They pack 4,400 horsepower per unit, which is considerably more than the 3,000 h.p. of the older units on the roster.
In addition, they make the railroad
more fuel-efficient. Whereas they may have used four of the older locomotives, they can now use three. In addition, Trainorders.com said GE used fuel injection on these locomotive to improve fuel economy.
General Electric introduced the C44-9W in 1993, and it was among the first of the company’s “Dash 9” series. The initial buyer was the Chicago & North Western, which has since merged into Union Pacific. Other users have included CSX Transportation, Southern Pacific (now also part of UP), Kansas City Southern, Santa Fe (which is now part of Burlington Northern-Santa Fe) and Norfolk Southern. Canadian users have included Canadian National, BC Rail, and Quebec North Shore and Labrador.
The C44-9W has also been used by railroads in Brazil and Australia.
Production of the C44-9W came to an end in 2005 due to increased noise and pollution regulations from the federal government. Almost 2,400 units were built. Its replacement was the ES44DC.
The Santa Fe operated the line until 1990, when it was sold to private investors and renamed the Arizona & California. In 2012, the line was acquired by Connecticut-based Genesee & Wyoming. It’s one of more than 100 short railroad lines owned and operated by G & W. Many of the ARZC’s locomotives now sport the G & W’s color scheme of bright orange and yellow with black stripes. There are still locomotives around in the old green and cream paint scheme.
On its website, G & W states their railroads offer the personalized service and entrepreneurial spirit of short lines with many of the advantages of large carriers.
Mike Williams, a spokesperson for
G & W, offered this statement about the Arizona & California:
“Short line” freight railroads such as Parker’s own Arizona & California (ARZC) provide the vital link between local businesses and the large, national carriers. The 205-mile ARZC has two connections with the 32,500mile BNSF Railway, in Matthie, Ariz., to the east and Cadiz, Calif., to the west, enabling customers to reach domestic and export markets. With their flexible service and entrepreneurial mindset, short line railroads can be critical engines of economic development for their communities, providing the “first and last mile” of rail service.
Indeed, ARZC was instrumental in landing one of the largest corporate investments in the history of La Paz County, Rose Acre’s Lone Cactus egg farm in Bouse. Upon completion of the farm’s new loop track, ARZC then worked with Rose Acre to market that asset and bring on the additional business of export alfalfa. The
projects increased ARZC’s carloads by more than 50 percent, to 16,000 a year. This led BNSF to name the ARZC its Short Line of the Year for
2019. Those successes are now key to ARZC and the La Paz Economic Development Corporation pursuing other potential growth projects.”
By JOHN GUTEKUNST PARKER PIONEER
The Parker Unified School District sees its job as preparing young people for the future they will live in. To this end, they have a sizable careertechnical education department. It includes classes in and facilities for auto shop, graphic design, and business education. They also have computer and technology labs.
The district is also looking at being as up-to-date as it can. They replace their computers regularly. The district recently completed an $800,000 upgrade of the Parker High auto shop.
The following from PUSD Superintendent Brad Sale explains the philosophy of the district when it comes to technology education, and how the district tries to meet the needs of students as they prepare them for the adult world.
Offer to match is on tires only. Mount and Balance, and tire disposal fees extra. Must present estimate/quote for price match from competitor. Please ask/see Service Advisor for further details.
How do you prepare for a world of tomorrow when the world of today rapidly changes?
The children of today are more adept at electronics and computers than any other generation before them. We are seeing the world of digital natives. To be a digital native means, children have been exposed to technology their entire lives from computers, video games, social media, and smart phones.
They are the first true digital generation. How do you prepare them for a world of tomorrow when the world they live in today will be a different world in five years?
Parker Unified is dedicated to giving our children a firm foundation to be successful. We do this by
BRAD SALE COLUMNIST
teaching the basics.
Children are taught reading, writing, history, science, physical education, and math. In teaching the basics, we utilize technology. Whether your child is using a computer, interactive television, smart board, document camera, or learning everything about Microsoft Office, they are using tools that are different from the generations before them.
In the classroom, children are taught how to be in cooperative groups and how to work within those groups of children.
Children will need these skills when they enter the work force or college. In addition, after school gifted classes are offered to give students an opportunity for STEM classes. One class that is offered is robotics. Children learn the basics of robots through the Lego League.
Once our children get to the high school level, technology is utilized on a more frequent basis.
Students can choose electives in our Career and Technical Education classes to prepare them for life after high school.
Students who follow the CTE path are using equipment and tech-
nology that are up to industry standards.
Students can also get a head start on college by taking dual enrollment courses in math, English, and criminal justice.
A typical high school student can still belong to clubs, band/choir, athletics, and drama, but also a high school student can now represent our community through E-Sports.
Being a small rural school district has its challenges in terms of offering the types and amount of classes that a suburban school district in Phoenix can offer their students.
By making sure our students have a firm foundation and are exposed to the ever-changing technology, our students can be proud of the progress they make.
just another
We are looking forward to another 65+ years in the area. Come by our Lake Havasu office and receive a free glue board or just come by with any bug questions. We are located at 3417 Maricopa Ave. LHC. Look for our large sign Thank you Havasu
One of the major tools for progress in the county is the La Paz County Industrial Development Authority.
The IDA is authorized under Arizona law, and most counties in the state have one.
From the Parker Pioneer in 2015: An Industrial Development Authority is a political subdivision of the State of Arizona that serves to promote development by being the issuing agency for bonds for private economic activities.
Fees from these bond issues are paid to the IDA, which uses them for other development activities.
IDAs were established under the Arizona Industrial Development Financing Act. They are covered
under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 35, Chapter 5, “Industrial Development Financing.” Most of the state’s counties and municipalities have one.
The IDA board members are appointed by the supervisors of the county they represent or the council of the city or town they represent to six-terms.
IDA Board President Rany Hartless described them this way: “The Industrial Development Authority board is a political subdivision of La Paz County, but they are an independent board of volunteer members appointed by the La Paz County Supervisors.
Board members include Randy Hartless (Parker), Mike Penn (Parker), Dan Beaver (Parker), Kit Furnell (Parker Strip), Robert “Gunny” St. Germain (Quartzsite), Beverly Owens (Salome), and
Harley Krudiof (Bouse). The IDA earns fees through bond transactions they facilitate and those funds may be utilized for projects that “benefit the people of La Paz County.”
Among the items recently funded by the IDA were the bank fees from the various special districts, like school and fire districts, in the county. These were paid in September 2021, and the total amount was $33,750.
The county had changed banks that year from Chase Bank to Western Alliance Bank. Those districts that had lines of credit found themselves hit with fees from Western Alliance. They ranged from $8,437.50 for the Buckskin Fire District to $1,687.50 each for the Bouse School District and the Ehrenberg Fire District.
“Every district in the county
that had a line of credit got hit with fees,” Hartless said. “The only school district that didn’t get hit was Parker Unified, and that’s because we don’t have a line of credit.”
Hartless said the different districts were very happy to hear someone was going to pay these fees. In a statement, Hartless said the IDA was pleased to be able to help out these districts as none of them knew beforehand about the fees.
“A lot of them had already paid the fees,” Hartless said. “Of course, none of them had budgeted for the fees.”
The IDA also provided $15,000 for a mural on the Agency Road side of the Parker Public Library.
The artist, Rachel Kaiser of Lake Havasu City, worked on it in spring 2022, but had to delay work during the hot summer months.
Iwould like to provide you with a history and overview of the Industrial Development Authority of La Paz County, along with a history of the IDA grants that we have disbursed.
The IDA serves as a “conduit” for the sale of Private Activity Bonds (PABs). These PABs are an alternative to traditional commercial loans in that they attract private investors who can earn interest on the bonds. These bonds cannot be sold without the approval of a political subdivision of the State of Arizona, such as the IDA. They are not free market bonds in the traditional sense.
The great thing about our role (and the County Board of Supervisors, as the final approvers) is neither the IDA nor the La Paz County are liable in any way for the end result of the bond sale. If the issuer defaults, if the project burns down, or if the bond market collapses, none of us are held liable by law. We are simply the “conduit” between the issuer and the sellers of the bonds.
The actual bond project can be built anywhere in the world. Several years ago, a company discussed with us the possibility of using IDA funding to build an addition to the American University in Beirut, Lebanon.
Such a project is permissible because the IDA has the authority to issue both taxable and tax-exempt revenue bonds for projects permitted by Arizona law.
According to Arizona law, there is a stipulation tied to IDA bond projects: they must benefit the people of Arizona. If you are wondering how a project in Lebanon adheres to this stipulation, then consider the percentage the IDA receives from the project is used for economic and community development projects right here in La Paz County.
So, in effect, it benefits the people of Arizona and meets the terms of the law. With that said, there’s another side
to the story. Where does the money go that the IDA earns on bond projects.
Arizona law stipulates that IDAs may only contribute funds to qualified non-profits or government entities. The IDA funds may be used for economic and community development, job creation, business retention and expansion, as well as affordable housing and other projects that benefit the people of La Paz County.
The IDA disbursement process allows non-profits and government entities to formally apply for funding and the board considers all those requests before making funding decisions.
The IDA board has approved and disbursed over $1 million to numerous county and local government projects, as well as non-profit agencies, throughout La Paz County since 2013. When combined with the $500,000 grant to La Paz County, the total is over $1.6 million.
During the application process, the IDA negotiates a percentage fee with the bond counsel. This percentage is then paid to the IDA over the course of the term of the
bond payment, which can be as long as 40 years. However, typically the agreement between the bond counsel and the IDA covers a 10-year guaranteed period.
So, if we issue bonds for a $100 million project and charge .00035 on the transaction, the IDA receives $35,000 annually for ten years. Different fees are charged by different IDAs, but our IDA is offering favorable rates that bond buyers appreciate, which is good business for us to attract more projects.
In 2015, one of our bond projects was for a private prison in Holtsville, Calif. that generated $75,000 annually in what was a 10-year agreement. However, the bonds were paid off during the second year of the agreement and the IDA netted the remainder of the 10-year agreement, which was $675,000. This is why we had the funds available to grant La Paz County $500,000 the following year.
However, capital investors and bond counsel attorneys are a skittish bunch. Just as equity investors would not put their money in a country with an unstable government, bond investors will avoid
debt issuers (IDAs) whose actions might seem arbitrary, capricious, or unpredictable, specifically concerning the approval process, which falls on the County Board of Supervisors. Without their approval, no IDA projects can be done. We understand that relationship and we think we have been very favorable to La Paz County in that relationship.
The IDA of La Paz County is a political subdivision of the county, but we are an independent 501 (c) nonprofit board that answers only to our board of directors. Although it is true the Board of Supervisors must approve any bond projects that we accept and they appoint the members of the IDA board, it is also true that neither the IDA board decisions nor the IDA funds are under the “jurisdiction” of La Paz County.
We have a good working relationship with La Paz County that has proven beneficial to the county, the IDA board, and the thousands of county residents who have benefitted from the projects we have sponsored, as we would like to maintain it.
The Parker Regional Chamber of Commerce & Tourism continues to be a resource center and a single point of contact with information for business owners, residents and visitors. We prioritize staying connected to our local business owners, building relationships with them, assisting with finding different types of needed resources, and helping them grow and succeed.
We understand that businesses may continue to face challenges and we want to help them in any way we can. We encourage businesses to contact the Chamber, the Town and the County to share insights and ensure that they can voice their questions and concerns as well as being able to reach out to us for help.
Both Chamber Director Melissa Newton and Information Services Specialist Lillian Perez have participated in and supported local organization’s events throughout the year and are members of local committees and clubs as we want to see the Parker area thrive.
We do #MemberMonday Spotlights that continue to showcase what businesses are doing and give more information on what they provide. Every new business has the opportunity to work with us to do a ribbon cutting ceremony, where they get a photo in the Parker Pioneer and we invite the community to help us welcome the new business to Parker. We continue to encourage a “Support Local” mentality.
The Chamber turned 70 this year, so, to celebrate, we are posting #TBT Throwback” pictures of the Parker area and events every Tuesday and Thursday for this year.
We hold the Downtown Experiences coinciding with the Best in the Desert Off-Road races. In recent years, we have hosted them along with contingency and technical inspection in downtown Parker.
Other activities include hosting monthly chamber mixers, hosting the 44th Annual Tube Float, and attending multiple expos and conventions around the state. We are preparing to host the new Hawaiian Luau in November at La Paz County Park.
The 44th Annual Parker Tube Float was held in June and was very well received and attended. The event featured many coordinated efforts from the U.S. Coast Guard and many other agencies. We couldn’t hold a successful event without the support of our local agencies and volunteers.
Along with our monthly after-hours business mixers, we have many events planned for the remainder of 2022 that are family-friendly, including a Local Bazaar at Western Park in November, the Hawaiian Luau and many other events out on by other amazing local organizations.
The Best in the Desert Downtown Experience will be held Jan. 5, 2023. For a complete list of all Parker events, please visit ParkerAz.org.
Our visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with information on local and statewide points of interest and attractions, local history, business referrals, and information packets for tourists and visitors. If you are visiting, we can show you where to eat, meet, stay and play.
You mAy have heard of WAVE-JTED and know that is plays an important role in vocational education in our region. You may have wondered just what it is and what it does, and why you are paying a tax for it.
WAVE stands for Western Arizona Vocational Education, while JTED stands for Joint Technical Education District. The JTED was formed by Mohave and La Paz County voters in 2008, and it currently has six partner high schools across the two counties.
On their website, WAVE said a JTED, “provides high
quality vocational and technical education that is needed in the public school system to keep students in school and be better prepared for the workforce.”
The goal of a JTED is to combine the enrollment, expenditures and resources of member school districts to offer students more opportunities and better-funded programs.
The current WAVEJTED members include the Kingman Unified, Colorado River Union, Lake Havasu Unified, and Parker Unified School Districts. Their current property tax rate is $0.05 of $100 of net assessed value. WAVE is headquartered in Kingman.
