Located in Southeastern Arizona, Sierra Vista’s history dates back 13,000 years to the Clovis people – hunters of the now-extinct mammoth and other large game. In later years, the area was home to Cochise and Geronimo, whose conflicts against the U.S. Army are legendary. Also known as the “Hummingbird Capital of the United States,” Sierra Vista is one of the must-see places in the world for bird watchers and naturalists.With so much to see, we invite you to visit Sierra Vista and encourage you to explore our attractions, learn about southwestern military history, visit our ghost towns, explore the archaeological finds, mountain bike in the canyons and hike along the river.Did you know that Sierra Vista is one of the few places in the world where you can hold a tiny hummingbird in your hand?Surprised? If you are, then you haven’t been to one of the hummingbird banding sessions that are conducted at two locations: San Pedro House and Fort Huachuca. While the primary purpose for banding sessions is to collect data for scientific research purposes, they blend fun with education, leaving the on-lookers captivated with the experience.The annual migration of hummingbirds has now begun, making this the perfect time to witness the rare treat of hummingbird banding.

Both a hummingbird banding video and schedule for the banding sessions can be found on our website: www.VisitSierraVista.com Hummingbirds do not mate for life and the male doesn’t help raise the young. The female, when readying to make a nest, will search for ideal locations and will oftentimes make several nests before selecting the perfect one. The nests are approximately the size of a large walnut shell or egg cup and are built to conform tightly to the female’s body. Hummingbirds, when born, are about the size of a small jellybean and when fully grown can weigh less than a penny.Maintaining one’s optimum weight is all about metabolism and exercise, after all. Hummingbirds eat, on average, seven times per hour and can consume one-half to eight times their body weight each day. And this is all to fuel their heartbeats of 1,200 per minute, wing beats up to 80 per second and flying speeds of 25-30 miles per hour. They are also the only birds who can fly backwards, hover in mid-air, fly sideways and even upside down.The life span of a hummingbird is approximately five years; however, there have been documented instances of hummingbirds reaching ten years and beyond. In 2009, a black-chinned hummingbird in Montana was found to have been banded by Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) at the San Pedro House in 2000. And researchers believe that the bird had been migrating back and forth from the San Pedro River to Montana all those years.SABO conducts the banding sessions at the San Pedro House because research shows that “up to 10 species of hummingbirds use the green corridor of the San Pedro River as a freeway between their tropical winter retreats and their northern nesting grounds.”

The United States boasts 23 documented species of hummingbirds: Sierra Vista has played host to 17 species. In addition to flying the San Pedro River corridor, hummingbirds also migrate through our mountains and canyons. In fact, a record for the most hummingbird species seen in one day anywhere in the United States – fourteen – was set in 2002 in Miller Canyon just south of Sierra Vista.

Many hummingbirds fly thousands of miles during their twice yearly migration, flying solo, rather than in flocks like the Sandhill Cranes or geese. The Rufous hummingbird travels the farthest north of any other hummingbird – to Alaska from Mexico. Research has also shown that hummingbirds are faithful to their favorite rest stops along their route. And clearly, Sierra Vista has been entered into their internal GPS system.The public is invited to get a close-up look at these tiny jewels at either banding location. Remember that Fort Huachuca is an active military installation and post entrance requirements are in effect.

To actually band the hummingbirds, the researchers must be licensed. However, one of the organizations, the Hummingbird Monitoring Network, is asking for volunteers for netting, recording, and feeder maintenance assistance for the sessions held on Fort Huachuca.

For volunteer contact information, Fort Huachuca entrance requirements, maps and brochures, visit the Sierra Vista Visitor Center in the Oscar Yrun Community Center, 3020 E. Tacoma Street or call 800-288-3861 or 520-417-6960.a

Mayor Arturo Garino and two other border mayors have been announced as the winners of the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s annual Tony Certosimo award.

Garino, along with Mayor Michael Gomez of Douglas and former Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla of San Luis, will receive the honor at the commission’s plenary session in Tucson on June 7-8.

The Tony Certosimo award, named for the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s first executive director, “is given to individuals that embody all the Arizona Mexico Commission strives to accomplish,” the city said in a news release. It has been awarded annually since 1992.

Click here to read the full article in the Nogales International.

The $300,000 grant will pay for homes to be brought to current building code standards and will focus on increasing energy efficiency. Energy efficiency modifications that are covered by this grant include repairing or replacing insulation, doors and windows, heating and cooling systems, roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, and hot water heaters.

Residents who completed the pre-application in December and January will be contacted by SEAGO during May and June. Residents can still apply to have their homes rehabilitated. To be considered, residents must meet HUD low-income standards as well as own and reside in their home. Special consideration will be given to residents who meet HUD elderly and disabled guidelines. Those wishing to participate are asked to contact Julie Packer, SEAGO Housing Program Manager, at 432-5301.

“I hope our residents take advantage of this grant to assist them in bringing their homes to current building code standards. This grant is one of our ongoing efforts to aid our low-income, elderly and disabled residents to better maintain their homes,” stated Mayor Rick Mueller.

For additional information, please call Julie Packer at 432-5301.

This month, it’s featuring the Murray Spring Clovis site along the San Pedro River, just a few miles outside of Sierra Vista.

Dr. C. Vance Haynes, front, at Murray Springs Clovis archaeological site.

Some 13,000 years ago, the Clovis people — hunters of the now-extinct mammoth and other large game, also mostly extince, lived in this area.
Southeastern Arizona is internationally renowned for some key archaeological sites and findings. Excavations in the Sierra Vista area have unearthed significant discoveries about the Clovis people, specifically about their hunting methods and everyday life.

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Murray Springs Clovis Site is open to the public. Interpretive signs assist visitors in understanding the era and the significance of the findings.

These sites have helped explain the travels and day-to-day lives of the hunters who are believed to have been the first to populate the North American continent.

The Clovis people, nomadic tribes that traveled across the Bering Strait from Asia, pursued large mammal game like prehistoric bison, horse, camel and mammoth.

They hunted with stone spear heads, referred to by archaeologists as “projectile points.” The distinct projectile points were first discovered in Clovis, N.M. Since that discovery, these early people and their sites have been termed “Clovis.”

To date, no remains of Clovis people have ever been found. However, many other discoveries about the Pleistocene Era, or Ice-Age — a time when mammoths roamed the San Pedro River basin — proved that Clovis people first occupied the Sierra Vista area over 13,000 years ago.

According to a National Park Service (NPS) report, “The Murray Springs Clovis Site is a nationally significant archaeological property consisting of a 13,000-year-old Paleoindian mammoth kill, a bison kill, and an associated campsite.”
The report continues, “The site has a very high level of integrity and includes some of the best archaeological evidence in North America of early humans and extinct mammals.

“Distinctive Clovis spear points have clearly identified the occupants of this site as part of the earliest well-documented culture in the Americas.”
From 1967 to 1971, Dr. C. Vance Haynes Jr. and Dr. Peter Mehringer worked on the Murray Springs site, archaeologically excavating the area.

Dr. Haynes noticed a black mat directly overlaying the Clovis occupation. The black mat is a thin layer of organic material, which may vary in color and content, but has always been found to have been created in moist to wet conditions.

For more information about Murray Springs Clovis Site and other Sierra Vista area attractions, please visit the Sierra Vista Visitor Center located in the Oscar Yrun Community Center at 3020 E. Tacoma Street or call 800-288-3861 or 520-417

As it turned out, however, it was a perfect example of how the products of Naco’s small industries are making their way into the SEAGO Region.
On this day in late April, A’kos Kovach and I met with Arturo Martan, president of the group, Agustin Fuentes, a founding member, and Agustin Fuentes Jr., who serves as intepreter and is secretary.

Agustin Fuentes Jr., Arturo Martan and Agustin Fuentes Sr. (from left) pose at Turquoise Valley Golf Course with some of the furniture made at Martan’s factor just across the border.

We learned that the tortilla chips we were snacking on were made at Fuentes’ tortilla factory and that the tables and chairs were used was created by Martan’s furniture factory.

An appropriate setting indeed for a discussion of the history — and future — of economic development in Naco, Sonora!

Seven years in the making

It’s only been in that past year or so that the economic group APRECORN has been making itself known, but that success has been seven years in the making.
APRECORN stands for Agencia de Promocion Economica Regional de Naco Sonora.

The effort to create an economic development body in Naco started seven years ago, Fuentes Sr. said. “It was ideas, but we couldn’t put it together.”
But the businessmen of the community didn’t give up. Finally, about 18 months ago in early 2011, the effort did come together and since then it has gotten all the papers and authorizations it needs at the municipal, state and federal level to make it an official economic development agency.

“We are working together to put the people of Naco to work,” Fuentes said.
Fuentes brought his family to Naco from Cananea 13 years ago to start a church, Grupo de Unidos Cristiano de Mexico.

But they also started a women’s boutique when the arrived, then developed a restaurant in 2007 and a tortilla factory in 2008.

The tortilla factory, which makes only flour tortillas in three sizes, including small ones for tacos and large ones for burritos, met a pressing need in Naco.
It makes 370 dozen every day, seven days, and sells out each day.

It currently sells to a number of restaurants across the border and is working on doing lab testing required by the USFDA so it can expand its offerings here.
Many residents visit the tortilla plant every day for fresh product. “It’s cultural,” Fuentes said.

But many gringos also cross the border and many of his tortillas have been shipped out across the United States and the world.

Martan enjoys politics

Martan’s great-grandfather moved from Hermosillo to Naco many decades ago and the family has been active in politics in their adopted city. Like his grandfather and his father, he was born in Naco.

His 14 siblings are now spread throughout the region, on both sides of the border.

His father was mayor, or presidente municipal, from 1985-88 and Martan was vice mayor from 1994-97 and a council member from 2000-03.

Martan was part of the group that started the popular furniture store in 1994 and he assumed control of the venture in 2008.

He also owns mineral rights in the area and is involved in the rental of land and commercial buildings.

Martan is convinced that Naco has a great future. “Naco has the potential to be developed,” he said.

To some degree, all it takes for outside developers to see the potential in Naco’s resources and its labor pool is for them to visit the community.

A few months ago, SEAGO Economic Planner Kovach arranged a tour of the economic opportunity sites for a number of folks from the United States.
In a recent visit with merchants in Naco, he learned that business was generally up at all of them following that tour.

In addition, Naco has gotten serious interest in its agriculture bounty, which includes garlic, tomatoes and chiles, among other produce.

At least two major agribusinesses from the SEAGO Region are looking into taking advantage of the produce as well as available building space in Naco.
“All of that translates directly into jobs in the SEAGO Region,” Kovach said.

Other members of APRECORN

Other members of the economic development group include:

Guadalupe Armenta — Naco Pharmacy and Grocery Store San Francisco;
Ignacio Sobarzo — Marktech, LLC, makers of fine outdoor furniture, iron works, powder coating and fabrication;

Dr. Alvaro Martinez — Dental Clinic, with top quality, great service, low prices;

Victor Encinas — Currency (Money) Exchange Store, Mobile phone store owner;

Gustavo Ruffo — Land and commercial building rentals and agri-businessman. (See article and photo about one of the Ruffo properties in the March 2012 SEAGO Newsletter.)

Go here to check out a list of available properties in Naco, Sonora.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of that event, which took place near Puebla in southern Mexico and has its greatest celebrations there.
Ironically, it is possible that Cinco de Mayo is more enthusiastically celebrated in parts of the United States than parts of Mexico. There was a 2005 Congressional declaration encouraging its celebration in this country.

In Mexico, France was attempting to establish its Second Mexican Empire after Mexico had suspended payment of its debts. Despite the Monroe Doctrine, the United States was unable to move against France because it was consumed by its own Civil War.

The leader of Mexican forces in the battle was Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín, who would succumb to typhoid fever shortly after the battle, at the age of 33. He has graced the 500-peso banknote.

He is remembered for the words of a single-line letter to President Benito Juarez, informing him of the victory: “The national arms have been covered with glory.”

Model for success

If 4,000 poorly armed Mexican troops could defeat twice the number of well-trained French troops in 1862, why couldn’t Mexican “troops” of today pull off similar victories?

Well, indeed they can and they have. If you read that accompanying article that starts on page 5 and attend the day-long Cinco de Mayo celebration planned for Saturday, May 5 (you don’t even have to cross the border), you’ll see how a group of small-town merchants have been working together for seven year to boost their economy, again considerable odds, and are now starting to see significant results.

Saturday’s event a fundraiser

The festivities Saturday at Turquoise Valley Golf Course will raise funds for repair of the aging floor at St. Michael’s Mission in Naco, which is aligned with St. Patrick Catholic Church in Bisbee.

The day offers a variety of music, food and other entertainment, as well as a chance to visit with vendors from Naco, Sonora.

Food included menudo, burritos, tamales, nachos, Mexican hot dogs and tortillas that are made fresh in Naco. Desserts include cakes and sno-cones.
Entertainment includes a Mexican band, Mexican dancers and a disc jockey.
Games for all ages will include horseshoes, lotoria and ducks in a tub.
And there will be displays of art, artifacts, jewelry and indoor and outdoor furniture.

Not the end of the war

The triumph at Puebla 150 years ago was not the end of the conflict. The French kept sending armies, and within a year, some 30,000 troops were in Mexico. The French thus were able to install the Austrian Maximilian on the “throne” of Mexico.

But Mexico kept fighting and after the Civil war was over, the United States was able to provide some assistance.

By 1867, the French had been defeated in Mexico and Maximilian was executed. Mexico showed it had the tenacity and skills to fight diligently for its freedom.

The “image” of Arizona, as an example, is often fodder for late-night TV hosts. But for Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties, it is no laughing matter. Often the first two questions asked by tourists in Tombstone are “How far are we from the border?” and “Is it safe here?” We have a problem with how the public “perceives” Southern Arizona, especially along the border.

Even many local residents “believe” what they hear or read in national media about “the border.” What is truly a surprise, these same people have either never crossed over to Mexico or have not been there for many years. The cost in lost dollars, lost jobs, and lost opportunities is staggering. We are in the process of taking small steps to change that perception.

“Steps to Success” is the theme of the May 17 International Trade Symposium and Expo. We are taking one step at a time, with each new success story and every new border advocate we gain, the SEAGO Region becomes the beneficiary, as does the rest of Arizona and our Nation.

When new jobs are created by the SBDC, APRECORN or by entrepreneurs along our border, we are effectively reducing the need or desire of the unemployed in Mexico to cross into Arizona illegally.

Agri-business opportunities

Pima, Thatcher and Safford are home to thriving farms, cotton fields and ranches. Over in Clifton, Morenci and Duncan jobs are plentiful and opportunities abound like low-hanging fruit. Farmers and ranchers in Greenlee share one BIG thing in common with Graham County farmers and ranchers: the need to sell their products. The employers in Greenlee need to find workers.
Solutions to these and other business, agri-business and technology challenges are among the topics at this very special May 17 event.

Mexico has launched itself into the position as the third-largest trade partner with the United States, only slightly behind China. Moreover, Mexico is our now our second-largest export recipient. (Source Census.gov)

Return of manufacturing

How do we prepare for the return of manufacturing and assembly plants to Mexico from China? How can a small business in Willcox, Benson or Huachuca City expand their client base into Mexico? Those are the topics and sorts of answers attendees will learn at this special second annual event.

The Small Business Administration, Cochise College, the Arizona Small Business Development Centers, the Mexican Consulate office in Douglas and SEAGO are proud to partner up to produce this extremely valuable one-day experience.

This seminar will leave no room for excuses. If you are serious about building your business, look south:
In Agua Prieta, the 2010 Mexican census showed a population of over 77,000 – but other analysts claim a population in excess of 100,000.
Naco, Sonora reports a population of approximately 6,500, Cananea 33,000 and while the census figures for Nogales, Sonora show some 220,000 residents, local authorities point towards a much larger population targeted between 300 to 400 thousand.
So what are the primary impediments to job creation here in Southeastern Arizona? For one thing inadequate access to information, (the type needed to develop a proper business plan). Another often-cited reason is insufficient start-up or expansion capital.

Learning Mexico’s business rules

However, the most perplexing reason is often the lack of understanding the business practices, rules and laws that are involved importing or exporting goods.

The Steps to Success event answers these issues and many others.
Short of a State dinner at the White House, where else can you meet the Vice Counsel General, US General Consulate Office and the Consul de México, Mexican Consulate Office at the same time?

Also present will be the No. 1 SBA Lender, Sue Malone; Washington D.C. NDN Think Tank spokesman Simon Rosenberg; an International Logistics solutions expert, from Toronto, Canada, Russ Proos; Southern Arizona Logistics Education Organization (SALEO) President and Founding member Alfred Altuna from Tucson; and also from Tucson, Customs and Border Protection information specialist Armando Galcavez.

Others include Sonitronies-Collectron International Maquiladoras expert Robert Moreno; and Customs Broker expert Victor Ruiz, along with Rebecca Orozco, Cochise College, Kevin O’Shea from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Jim Pepper with the SBA, the President, Arturo Martan and Secretary, Agustin Fuentes, representing Agencia de Promoción Económica Regional de Naco Sonora, prominent speaker and collaborative economic development proponent Juan Cordero, Director of Economia Nogales, Sonora, Sub Secretary, Economic Development Planner for the State of Sonora, Juan Gim plus wholesale buyers, investors, developers and sellers.

What’s holding you back from success? Register online now link to follow or call Rachel Norton at (520) 515-5478, for reserved seating or vendor booths.

Phoenix, AZ: Tribal leaders in Arizona took a step to the digital future of rural high speed digital communications today with their support of committee passage of SB 1402 & SB 1403 the Digital Arizona Highways Bills.

The Digital Arizona Highways Bills pass out of the AZ senate committees on a 6 to 0 vote. Dubbed the Telemedicine bill by LeRoy Shingoitewa, Chairman of the Hopi Tribe, the bill was supported by The Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) the Hopi Tribe Chairman, and elected officials and others that will transform the State of Arizona’s role in driving broadband deployment though added fiber conduit system Rights of Way on rural highways. The bill will expand economic growth, education, healthcare, and business in Rural Arizona.

“When Congress directed the FCC to develop a national broadband plan the Navajo Nation worked and developed our plan,” said Nation President Shelly.  “In March 2013, we will have a 4G/LTE network for the entire four corners. “We want jobs and economic prosperity for Navajo and our neighbors.  This bill achieves that end.” Shelly said.

Both the Navajo’s and the Hopi’s received millions in stimulus money’s to put the four corners plan together said Deswood Tome, the leader of the broadband imitative in the region. Both tribes were first movers into this link to our digital future, Tome said.

SB1402, the Digital Arizona Highways Bill, will enable private sector providers to extend broadband services to rural Arizonians by expanding use of existing state roadway rights-of-way without drawing on existing highway funds under the guidance of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Specifically, the bill expands existing rules governing ADOT’s management of State ROW to include transportation-of-information as well as vehicles and to make available conduits in the ROW to private broadband providers on a cost-recovery basis. The result will be more utilization and streamlined access to the ROW for constructing broadband conduits, thereby accelerating and improving availability of broadband services to unserved areas of Arizona.

Companion bill, SB1403, the Digital Arizona Infrastructure Office Bill, creates a self-sustaining Arizona Broadband Office with tribal leaders, and non-paid directors, housed within the Department of Administration (DOA) that will coordinate the complex, multi-jurisdictional discussions and coordination that need take place when broadband infrastructure is being planned, deployed, and utilized.  The Office will serve as a single point of contact through which statewide broadband policies, standards, procedures, agreements, and grants are managed and brought to fruition without imposing any new regulations. The Office will be fully self-sustaining from fees, gifts, grants, and donations.

“Many of Arizona’s rural residents and businesses still do not have sufficient availability of broadband services so essential in the modern world, which negatively impacts their lives by limiting their available jobs, educational opportunities, and health care services Bill Bolin, Chairman of the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council said.”

Broadband availability has grown over time through the efforts of Tribal government, broadband providers, and non-profits, but impediments remain to practical and sustainable broadband deployment across the rural Arizona landscape.

The Hopi people established the Hopi Tribal Council on Dec. 19, 1936, with the adoption of the Hopi Constitution and By-Laws. According to the constitution, the Hopi Tribal Council has the power and authority to represent and speak for the Hopi Tribe in all matters for the welfare of the Tribe, and to negotiate with federal, state and local governments, and with the councils or governments of other tribes.

The Arizona Telecommunications & Information Council (ATIC) is Arizona’s recognized and authoritative organization guiding technology policy development, serving as a leading source of information and expertise on telecommunications and information technology matters. ATIC develops, promotes and supports initiatives and guides adoption of effective public policies that encourages wide-scale deployment and availability of telecommunications services and information technologies to insure economic prosperity for the Arizona community, expand the region’s global competitive advantage, enable continued educational advancement and support an enhanced quality of life. More information on ATIC, its activities and events can be found on the web site at: http://www.arizonatele.com/atic/.

Contact: Mike Keeling Esq. (Lobbyist) 602-332-0341 (cell)

Ben Shelly C/O Presidents staff

Leroy Shingoitewa , President Hopi Tribe (928) 734-3102 Hopi PIO  (928) 734-3104

Deswood Tome, cell 505-506-7729

Contact Mark Lewis, Water Resource Institute 602-499-3095 (cell)