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It鈥檚 not every day that rural Arizona communities have direct access to the leaders of key state agencies. But that鈥檚 changing with a new program called Arizona on the Road, which brings directors and commissioners from 16 different state departments to developing communities across the state.听

鈥淭he idea is to bring these professional leaders from the Governor’s cabinet to places around the state,鈥� said Andy Tobin, Director of the Arizona Department of Administration. 鈥淲here not only can citizens come and ask questions鈥� but the political, business and cultural leadership of these communities can be a part of the process.鈥�

In total, 16 cabinet members are involved in the program. The first stop on the tour was in Flagstaff on June 14th, and state leaders also recently visited Prescott and Prescott Valley in mid-August.

Some of the represented agencies include the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing, the State Land Department, Veterans鈥� Services and the Department of Economic Security. All of the participating agency leaders also comprise Gov. Ducey鈥檚 21st Century Economy Goal Council, which says it focuses on.

One particular focus area of the Arizona on the Road program is answering community questions related to new policies and state economic development projects. But Tobin says it鈥檚 also about learning what鈥檚 been going on in those rural communities.

鈥淢any of them are interested in what legislation has recently passed and how it might affect them,鈥� Tobin said. 鈥淎nd the local leadership wants to make sure that they’re sharing with us what they know.鈥�听

During their recent Prescott visit, the directors hosted a morning forum attended 鈥渂y local elected officials as well as community and education leaders,鈥� according to a press release.听

The directors also toured Embry Riddle Aeronautical University鈥檚 nearby campus and conducted a roundtable lunch with regional business leaders.

Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce authority, conceptualized the Arizona on the Road program.

鈥淲e’re very excited to visit communities around Arizona and have the opportunity to highlight the work of Governor Ducey’s 21st Century Economy Goal Council,” Watson said. “I am honored to co-chair the Economy Goal Council and participate in this important initiative along with my colleagues.”

Three additional stops in the Arizona on the Road series are currently scheduled for 2019 in the following communities:

• 听 September: Kingman/Bullhead City/Lake Havasu
• 听 October: Casa Grande/Coolidge/Florence
• 听 November: Jerome/Cottonwood/Camp Verde

Tobin says the program will make additional community visits in 2020.