FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2026

Regional Economic Development Opportunities Highlighted During Federal Delegation Visit

Pictured back row from left to right: Kingman City Councilmember Smiley Ward, Mohave County Manager David Strahl, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s Deputy Legislative Director Joe Russell, Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins, Mohave County District 2 Supervisor Rich Lettman, Mohave County District 1 Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter, and Kingman City Councilmember Keith Walker. Front row from left to right: Kingman City Manager Tim Walsh, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s Northern Arizona Director Coral Evans, Kingman’s Deputy City Manager Tina Moline, Kingman’s Economic Devt Project Manager Terri Curtis, Kingman City Councilmember Jim Dykens, Mohave County District 1 Assistant Marianne Salem and Kingman’s Economic Development Director Bennett Bratley.

Kingman, AZ – The City of Kingman and Mohave County officials recently welcomed U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s Deputy Legislative Director Joe Russell and Northern Arizona Director Coral Evans for a tour and discussion focused on Kingman’s continued economic development, infrastructure, and regional opportunities. The visit brought together Mayor Ken Watkins, Councilmembers Jim Dykens, Keith Walker and Smiley Ward, Mohave County Supervisors Travis Lingenfelter and Rich Lettman, along with City and County leadership and economic development staff.

Discussions centered on the future of the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park, regional aviation opportunities, ongoing infrastructure investments, and Kingman’s role in the I-40 TradePort Corridor. With its strategic location along Interstate 40 and access to both rail and aviation infrastructure, Kingman continues to serve as an important manufacturing and logistics hub in northwestern Arizona.

Another economic development opportunity discussed during the visit was Mohave County’s application for a Foreign Trade Zone designation that would include the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park. Foreign Trade Zones allow qualifying businesses to store or process imported goods under special customs procedures, including deferring duties until goods enter the U.S. market and, in some cases, reducing or eliminating duties. For Kingman and Mohave County, the designation could provide another tool to attract and retain manufacturers, distributors, and other businesses involved in international trade.

During the visit, the group toured the Kingman Airport and Industrial Park and discussed current development, future growth opportunities, and efforts to continue attracting new businesses and jobs to the area. The group also visited Mohave College’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center Makerspace and CROWN’s forklift manufacturing operation, highlighting the connection between workforce development and Kingman’s growing manufacturing sector.

The visit concluded with a look at the new Flying Fortress Parkway interchange, which is scheduled to open in October. The long planned project will improve access to the airport and industrial park and support continued development for the area.

The City of Kingman continues to work with local, regional, state, and federal partners to support infrastructure improvements, workforce development, business expansion, and future investment in the community.

About Kingman
Founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1952, Kingman is the county seat of Mohave County located in northwest Arizona along Interstate 40, U.S. 93, and the historically famous Route 66. The city’s population is 32,689, and approximately 60,000 including neighboring communities. Kingman is a general law city that operates under a council/city manager form of government with a mayor and six councilmembers elected at large. City government provides a wide range of municipal services that include administration, development services, engineering, public works, parks and recreation, water, sewer and sanitation services, and fire and police.