Economic downturns and loss of jobs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) to focus upon development of two significant plans to respond to economic hardship.
Teri Drew, Prescott-based regional director for NACOG, explained the Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) division is formulating two plans to help solve unemployment.
The first is the Economic Development Administration Recovery and Resilience Plan. It is in partnership with Arizona Town Hall and Northern Arizona University. It was developed in response to adverse economic conditions such as the pandemic, fires and flooding. The plan also recognizes negative impacts such as closing of local plants and the generating station.
Drew said the NACOG team expects to have the Recovery and Resilience Plan completed by June.
The second plan, Strategic Broadband Plan, is intended to complement the Recovery and Resilience Plan, Drew said.
“The use of broadband during recent months has risen to the top. Consequently, side-by side, EWD is working on a strategic broadband plan to enhance the other plan,” she said. Just like the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Broadband Plan will be as good as our ability to gain sound information data from our communities, state and federal partners.”
Drew said employers and employees are urged to contact NACOG at
928-778-1422.
“If you are seeking employment, contact us,” she said. “The same is true if you are an employer in need of qualified candidates. Our workforce development team is in demand as business and industries reopen and expand and workers realign.”
Drew said NACOG already has weekly orientations open on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone seeking new opportunities can join an orientation for further information.
“Citizens in need of job placement or training services simply must identify a barrier to employment. Being unemployed, for example, is considered a barrier. So is being underemployed. We serve all individuals 16 years old or older. All they have to do is to join one of our networks,” Drew said.
Orientations are intended to provide a high-level service review for service opportunities — direct services, support services, partner program services and community resources,
Orientations are available in person at 1 p.m. Mondays, at the downtown Prescott office. For those not able to attend orientations in person, one-on-one via telephone or by Zoom appointments are available.
EWD has two comprehensive centers in Yavapai County: one in Cottonwood at 1500 W. Cherry Road, and the other at the Prescott NACOG office at 221 N. Marina St.
NACOG represents four counties: Yavapai, Coconino, Apache and Navajo — more than 47,000 square miles with 24 diverse communities and more than 561,000 people.
For more information go to
www.yavapaiatwork.com
