Economic Strength Projects

The Az. Departments of Commerce & Transportation have approved 2 new Economic Strength Projects (ESP) in Kingman & Graham Co. This joint program provides grants for road projects that assist economic development & meet 3 primary goals: create & retain a significant number of jobs in Arizona; lead to significant capital investment in Arizona; & make a significant contribution to the economy of Arizona.

The awards are:

A $462,000 grant to assist Graham Co. with paving of 1.75 miles of Fort Grant Road. A compacted sub base will be constructed & a double chip seal will then be applied. The paving of this currently unpaved road will increase safety for Eurofresh employees & support the 53 acre expansion of Eurofresh. Upon completion of this project, Eurofresh will create 207 new jobs for Graham Co. Total capital investment for this project is estimated to be over $25 million.

A $397,800 grant to assist the City of Kingman with the construction of approx. 2,000 linear feet of Bonanza Drive between Shipping Lane & Railroad Drive to industrial & Mohave Association of Governments' standards. The road will be 24 feet wide to accommodate 2 lanes of traffic. The road will assist traffic for a 312,000 sq. ft. Cantex facility under construction on 30 acres of land at the Kingman Airport & Industrial Park. Upon completion of this project, Cantex will create 85 new jobs for Mohave County. Total capital investment for this project is estimated at over $35 million.

ESP grant rounds are done twice each year in January & July, with applicants competing for $500,000 in each round. Eligible applicants are towns, cities, counties, tribes & economic development organizations that are co-sponsored by the local jurisdiction. Requests for proposals will be distributed the end of January for the next funding round.

Applicant communities must provide matching funds of at least 10% of the project total. For more info or to add your name to the mailing list for the next round, visit azcommerce.com.