KINGMAN – Arizona Senator Mark Kelly continued his focus on infrastructure investments, economic recovery and workforce development in meetings with local leaders and visits in Mohave County last week.
At the start of the visit, Kelly toured the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park, which is the largest industrial park outside of Maricopa County. Kelly met with Kingman Mayor Jen Miles, Vice Mayor Ken Watkins, airport staff, and business leaders during the tour where they discussed economic development, transportation and infrastructure needs associated with the park’s proposed 1,400 acre expansion.
After the airport and industrial park tour, Kelly met with Kingman Mayor Jen Miles, Lake Havasu City Mayor Cal Sheehy, Bullhead City Vice-Mayor Kathy Bruck, as well as Mohave County Supervisors Jen Bishop (Dist. 4) and Travis Lingenfelter (Dist. 1). Kelly discussed the unique needs of rural Arizona and briefed the mayors, councilmembers and supervisors on his work to fuel small businesses and invest in the region’s infrastructure needs. Kelly emphasized his work to include an investment in rural Arizona in the bipartisan infrastructure framework. The group also discussed the importance of continuing the expansion of the Downwinders Act and the need to address the issues of water access and quality not only in the region, but in Arizona long-term.
Following his meeting with local leaders, Kelly made a stop at the Mohave Community College and Kingman Area Chamber of College’s Small Business Center as part of his focus on workforce development, especially in the wake of the pandemic recovery. Mohave Community College President Dr. Klippenstein and Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jaime Ramirez briefed the Senator on their partnership which assists with business development and small business training. Kelly learned of MCC’s and the Chamber’s efforts to help strengthen the Kingman and Mohave County economies while also creating more economic opportunities in the region.
Lastly, Kelly attended and delivered remarks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kingman Veterans Villas, an affordable housing project in Kingman aimed at housing veterans. The project was completed as a partnership between the Mohave County Housing Authority, the Veterans Administration, Arizona Department of Housing, and a variety of public-private collaborative efforts. Kelly thanked the community for their dedication to supporting Arizona veterans. He concluded the visit with a tour of the facility, led by one his Veterans Advisory Council members.
