PRESCOTT TRI-CITY REGION / WELCOME

Approximately 80 miles from Metropolitan Phoenix and 80 miles from the rarified elevation of the alpine city of Flagstaff, Yavapai County's Tri-City region offers idyllic hometowns and an enviable quality of life. This fast-growing area encompasses the city of Prescott and the neighboring towns of Prescott Valley and Chino Valley. As the original Territorial Capital of Arizona, Prescott boasts a colorful and rich history that is preserved today in museums and historic sites as well as annual festivals and celebrations. Yavapai County was one of the original four counties formed prior to Arizona statehood and once sprawled over 65,000 square miles. This "mother of counties" was eventually divided into Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, and Navajo counties.

Only in recent decades has the Tri-City region experienced a tremendous boom in population and development, transforming a pine-clad haven with many seasonal and retirement homes into a thriving community that supports more than 100,000 residents. Amenities, conveniences, and the local economy are expanding with the boom in population, drawing national attention as one of the nation's most desirable environments. Already dubbed as "Everybody's Hometown," the charming city of Prescott has stepped into the spotlight for its unrivaled quality of life and unique attributes as a great place to relocate or engage in commerce. Part of the city's wonderful downtown Courthouse Plaza district is now an enterprise zone. Hundreds of acres of industrial parks are zoned for the Tri-City region, encouraging quality commercial and business development. In the recently published book “Cities Ranked and Rated,” Prescott ranked number six out of the 45 top emerging U.S. metropolitan areas and was described as a "clean, quiet city with an Old West feel." Prescott was further distinguished as the only Arizona city on this select list of emerging metropolitan areas.

Services

In spite of its serene atmosphere and small-town appeal, the Tri-City region offers an impressive array of amenities and services. Newcomers will discover state-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities, anchored by the cornerstone hospital of Yavapai Regional Medical Center West. Dedicated to meeting the needs of area residents through medical excellence and patient-centered care, YRMC continually invests in upgrades and expansions. The year 2006 will see the opening of Yavapai Regional Medical Center East, the new planned 50-bed hospital near the Del E. Webb Outpatient Center in Prescott Valley. Underlining YRMC's proactive approach to community service and education, the Pendleton Wellness Centers are highly respected as focal points for health maintenance, improved fitness, and rehabilitation of all types.

While YRMC provides a complete array of leading-edge services and specialties, the Tri-City region is home to a number of other important healthcare resources. The Prescott Valley Samaritan Center operated by the Good Samaritan Society expands the options for long-term and specialized care. The presence of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System in Prescott has a positive affect on the lives of veterans as well as the economy. Prescott VA Medical Center is the largest veteran healthcare facility within a 60,000-square-mile area and one of the region's largest employers. The nearby community of Cottonwood features the Verde Valley Medical Center within the Northern Arizona Healthcare system.

Complementing the public and private schools on elementary and secondary levels, the Tri-City region provides a number of options for higher education that are available just beyond the front doorstep. The two-year institution of Yavapai College enjoys an excellent reputation for academic excellence and affordability, drawing students of all ages to its diverse programs. In addition to the main campus in Prescott, the college operates an educational center in Prescott Valley, the Agribusiness and Science Technology Center in Chino Valley, and the Sedona Center for Arts & Technology in nearby Sedona.

Northern Arizona University in cooperation with Yavapai College opens the door of opportunity for students to earn a four-year degree from a public university without a lengthy commute or a move to Flagstaff. Prescott is proud to be one of two locations for a campus of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, internationally recognized as "best in field for studying the science, practice, and business of aviation, aerospace, and engineering." Prescott College offers a private liberal arts institution that confers undergraduate and graduate degrees and teacher certifications with an emphasis on the environment and social justice. Also based in Prescott, Northcentral University takes an innovative approach to higher education by offering online distance-learning degree programs on every level.

Lifestyle

Newcomers to the Prescott Tri-City region in Yavapai County will find a paradise of natural beauty, a rich historic legacy, and progressive communities dedicated to maintaining an unrivaled quality of life. Set in elevations of approximately 5,000 feet and surrounded by vast national forest and rugged mountains, these communities define the blending of small-town charm with urban convenience. While the city of Prescott claims an impressive past as Arizona's original Territorial Capital, the relatively young community of Prescott Valley celebrated its silver anniversary of incorporation in 2003. First advertised in the mid '60s to Midwesterners who craved bright sunshine, blue skies, magnificent scenery and mild weather, Prescott Valley has grown and matured into a full-service community with a rapidly expanding residential and economic base. Chino Valley provides a more rural atmosphere for residential development, yet even this small and friendly community is experiencing rapid growth and economic expansion.

In recent decades, the entire Tri-City region has experienced a boom of new construction and expansion in every sector. The housing opportunities are as diverse and attractive as the terrain, encompassing well-kept older properties, historic homes, beautiful new subdivisions, upscale golf-course communities, small farms, sprawling ranches, handsome log homes, cozy cabins secluded by deep woods, and custom homes on generous parcels of prime land. Innovative architectural designs take advantage of home sites with variable elevations, often incorporating walls of glass that command breathtaking mountain views.

The strong appeal of this area to Midwesterners in its earlier development is most evident in Prescott's delightful downtown Courthouse Plaza, the scene of colorful annual events and celebrations throughout the calendar year. Prescott welcomes visitors and guests from across the state and the nation as they flock to events like Frontier Days, the World's Oldest Rodeo, the Folk Arts Fair, and Territorial Days. The former mining town of Jerome offers another historic jewel, featuring vintage homes and unique businesses and shops along a narrow and winding mountain road. Today, Jerome serves as a focal point of tourism for its historic elements and its status as an artist's colony.

While recreational opportunities are unrivaled in the Tri-City region, those who appreciate the arts and cultural attractions will not be disappointed. The Prescott Valley Civic Center features renowned fine art exhibits as well as eclectic events and programs, while Prescott draws regional audiences to its lineup of theatrical and musical performances. The recently refurbished and restored Elks Opera House, the visual and performing arts resources encompassed by the Prescott Fine Arts Association, and the Performance Hall calendar of events at Yavapai College combine to keep residents and visitors entertained and inspired. The college also operates a gallery and offers gallery talks that are open to the general public.

Federal forest preserves, state and county parks, and well-equipped municipal parks combine to ensure four-season outdoor enjoyment. Challenging golf courses, tennis courts, sports courts and fields, sports leagues, and supervised recreational activities for all ages combine with unparalleled opportunities to explore nature's bounty. Rock-climbing, hiking, back-packing, camping, bike touring and mountain biking, off-road exploration, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, and winter sports are all popular pastimes.

One of the advantages to a Tri-City region lifestyle is the centralized location with the state of Arizona. To the north, residents will discover Flagstaff's rarified elevations, towering pines, downhill skiing and snowboarding, a major public university, and Route 66 historic sites. One of the world's natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, is only a short drive from Flagstaff. To the south lies the Valley of the Sun and Metropolitan Phoenix, with its professional sports lineup, world-class cultural centers, and trendy shopping areas. Spectacular Oak Creek Canyon beauty and Sedona's red-rock splendor are waiting to the East, along with fine dining, boutique and outlet mall shopping, posh resorts, and intriguing galleries. To the West lies the boating and water-sport paradise of Lake Havasu City and the Parker Strip in Parker, where the mighty Colorado River and vast lakes draw throngs of visitors and vacationers. To the north across the state line in Nevada, the communities of Laughlin and Las Vegas combine with Lake Mead National Recreational Area and the engineering wonder of Hoover Dam to offer some of the nation's most exciting water recreation, dazzling casino resorts, glittering nightlife, and non-stop headliner entertainment. Without a doubt, the Prescott Tri-City region and Yavapai County provide a location and a lifestyle beyond compare in the enchanting Southwest.