Business View Magazine | October 2020

378 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2020 RIZONA T he City of Flagstaff was established in 1882. Its name originated several years earlier, when a Ponderosa pine tree was stripped of branches and used to fly an American flag in celebration of the 1876 Centennial. This “flag staff” later became a landmark for travellers to the area. Located at the intersection of I-40 and I-17 in the beautiful state of Arizona, Flagstaff is also a favorite stop on the historic Route 66. Hiking through the vast forest, star gazing into the dark night sky, or reaching the top of Humphrey’s peak for a view of the Grand Canyon are just a few of the activities that residents and visitors to Flagstaff can enjoy. With four distinct seasons, the surrounding mountains and forests provide a constantly changing backdrop to this innovative city. Sitting at an elevation of 7,000 feet, Flagstaff is home to the Lowell Observatory, a leading astronomical, non-profit research facility and a popular tourist attraction, with over 100,000 visitors per year. John Saltonstall, Business Retention & Expansion Manager, suggests that this destination offers those with an explorer mentality “a chance to explore the heavens.” Originally created by Percival Lowell in 1894, the intention was to study the possibility of life on Mars. Since then, the observatory has been responsible for many significant projects, including the discovery of Pluto and moon mapping for the Apollo program. The United AT A GLANCE FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA WHAT: A city of 72,000 WHERE: In Coconino County, northern Arizona WEBSITE: www.flagstaff.az.gov REACHING FOR THE STARS