NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

IMPACT

Northern Arizona University is vital to the state’s economy, generating $1.8 billion annually and 20,000 jobs.

In Coconino County alone, one in five jobs can be attributed to NAU. This number continues to grow as we reach our enrollment, research, and service goals.

In Coconino County alone, one in five jobs can be attributed to NAU. This number continues to grow as the university reaches its enrollment, research and service goals.

NAU’s partnerships with regional and statewide organizations are one mechanism through which the university generates economic activity. Regional partnerships with Northern Arizona Healthcare, parent company of Flagstaff Medical Center, North Country Healthcare (federal healthcare provider for Northern Arizona), the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, NARBHA Institute and the City of Flagstaff have all helped NAU expand its economic footprint in the region and the state. NAU has also evolved and expanded its collaborations to include organizations like Northern Arizona Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NACET), which has helped launch more than 60 companies in the past six years and has created more than 500 new jobs, and the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA), which has also resulted in new jobs and income for the region. These organizations and partnerships with them have provided, and will continue to provide, a strong foundation for future economic growth in the region and around the state.

One of NAU’s longest and most productive partnerships has been with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). To date, NAU and TGen share ownership of a total of eight patents with 13 patents pending. The development of the Pathogen and Genomics Institute (PMI) in FY 2017 will strengthen the partnership with TGen and will greatly expand research capacity to benefit NAU, TGen and the Northern Arizona bioscience sector.

NAU’s increased research capacity in the areas of bioengineering and population health also contribute to Arizona’s biosciences economy. The university’s translational research programs positively impact Arizonans through improved patient care, new medical technologies and by addressing healthcare disparities for underserved populations.

The northern Arizona region provides excellent collaboration opportunities in astronomy. Policies supporting dark skies have enabled public and private astronomy initiatives to advance in the community. NAU has long partnered on astronomy initiatives and recent partnerships with Lowell Observatory on the Discovery Channel Telescope and in the development of new small telescopes (FRoST and ATLAS) will enhance the competitiveness of both institutions for funding from NASA and the National Science Foundation. Institutions in Arizona employ approximately 2,000 people in this field, with a payroll exceeding $84 million. In addition to research, NAU’s astronomy program trains post-docs and graduate students with the cutting-edge skills that prepare them for these high-paying positions in Arizona.