Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

79 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 KINGMAN, AZ committed to facilitating growth and ensuring developers can bring their projects to fruition.” Mayor Watkins emphasizes the broader context: “The influx from California, with residents selling their homes there and seeking more affordable options in Arizona, has driven up prices due to increased competition. One of our primary concerns is affordability, or what I’d term ‘workforce housing.’ With numerous companies looking to relocate to Arizona, specifically Kingman, ensuring their workers have suitable housing is crucial.” He continues, “While Kingman’s official population within city limits is around 34,000, the reality is different. We have an additional population just a few miles outside the city limits, bringing the total closer to 50 to 55,000. This is evident in the success of some major chains in our city. For instance, our Cracker Barrel restaurant consistently ranks among the top ten nationwide, reaching the number one spot multiple times.” Laying the Groundwork: Infrastructure and Education As Kingman continues to grow and evolve, the underpinning infrastructure and educational systems play a pivotal role in ensuring the city’s prosperity. Mayor Watkins highlights the recent advancements in digital connectivity: “In the past 18 months, we’ve seen significant progress in our digital infrastructure. ALLO Fiber, a major provider from the Midwest, has been laying fiber optic cables across our county.