Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 3, Issue 3

52 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 whether that’s supporting the Payson Unified School District or some of our local non-profits. That’s the key to success in this town – giving back to the community. In my opinion, having our residents show up and participate, makes it fun to run a business here.” This close-knit community of 16,000, anticipates future growth over the next several years. Like many of Gila County’s other municipalities, there is a general plan detailing where expansion should happen and how it should progress. “Our Payson General Plan discusses growth areas within the town where infrastructure or capacity already exists,” details Sheila Deschaaf, Deputy Town Manager. “We have areas that aren’t built out yet; our anticipated build out number is about 45,000 residents. Payson is a water and commercial resources hub for about 27 outlying communities. Only three percent of land throughout Gila County is privately held. Those private holdings make up several satellite communities, which also rely on Payson for amenities such as churches, schools, groceries, etc.” The largest employers are the town government, Banner Payson Medical Center (the local hospital), and the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino. With its population steadily on the rise, Payson’s housing inventory must be too. Deschaaf reports that from 2010 to 2012, a private developer completed a land transfer exchange with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, for approximately 222 acres of land near the Payson Municipal Airport. Now AT A GLANCE TOWN OF PAYSON, ARIZONA WHAT: A supportive and fun-filled community; population 16,000 WHERE: Central Arizona, 90 miles north of Phoenix WEBSITE: www.paysonaz.gov na