FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingman, AZ, Receives Prestigious Golden Prospector Award for Downtown Revitalization Project

KINGMAN, AZ – The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has bestowed its coveted Golden Prospector Award on the City of Kingman for its Downtown Revitalization Project, aka the Downtown Streetscape Project.

Founded over two decades ago, the Golden Prospector Awards are presented annually by the AAED to acknowledge superior efforts in economic development. This year’s accolades were given during the annual AAED Fall Forum, which took place from October 23-25, 2024, in Prescott, Arizona.

Sylvia Shaffer, Economic Development Project Manager, accepted the award on behalf of the city. She praised the project as a transformative investment that is enhancing service delivery and instigating tangible economic growth in downtown Kingman.

The award-winning revitalization project incorporated a full-scale overhauling of downtown infrastructure, interspersed with visual and landscaping improvements. Among these enhancements were the addition of street trees, benches, trash receptacles, wayfinding, and street lighting, most of which was crafted using recycled historic brickwork, thus reducing waste and strengthening Kingman’s historic urban image.

Since the introduction and execution of several downtown renewal projects launched in 2017, Kingman has noticed a significant surge in hotel stays and foot traffic. This has resulted in a 54% revenue increase for hotels and a whopping 69% for local restaurants and bars. Offering an inviting ambiance, this revitalized downtown area is bridging the gap between pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, linking them conveniently to main attractions stretching from First to Sixth Street along Beale Street.

The Golden Prospector Award is Kingman’s first, although the city did earn the Golden Prospector Award of Merit in 2019 for their economic development website, www.choosekingman.com. This acclaimed award appreciates initiatives, programs, or processes demonstrating successful development outcomes in communities.

AAED, established in 1974, serves as a united voice for responsible economic development across Arizona, promoting professional education, public policy, and collaboration. For more information, visit www.aaed.com or call (602) 240-2233.

About Kingman

Founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1952, Kingman is the county seat of Mohave County located in northwest Arizona and is also known for its famed Route 66. Kingman carries the responsibility of providing a diverse array of municipal services for its population of 32,689 residents (approximately 60,000 with the inclusion of nearby communities) under a council/city manager form of government.