Schools introduce 4-day week to public

For Williams, once the 6 million threshold is reached, the AHRRC study says it will translate into

94,098 additional room nights, 695 more jobs and a total economic impact of $20 million. For Flagstaff, the projections are 248,494 additional room nights, 2,956 jobs and an impact of $86 million. These figures are solely based on visitor expenditures and don’t take into account any economic impact from the express rail.

“An express rail transit strategy could encourage GCNP visitors to spend additional nights in northern Arizona,” the AHRRC report states. “Entering the park from an external site on express rail might cause visitors to devote more time to the adventure and excursion aspects of their park visit.

“The economic impact of staying longer and doing more in the area would benefit the entire northern Arizona region.”

Chambers said GCR will continue its daily run of the vintage train to the Canyon and actually envisions passengers opting to ride one way on the slower excursion train and the other via express rail.

At this point, Chambers said he just wants the express rail option to be included among other options considered by congress in its environmental assessment of future park transit systems and urged the chamber draft a letter stating that to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix) and Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix).

At the close of Chambers’ presentation, Danny Ray, chamber of commerce president, asked if there was a consensus to draft such a letter and received unanimous approval from the chamber board.

After the meeting, Chambers said he has already introduced the proposal to Grand Canyon Trust and will make presentations this week to the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Flagstaff Economic Council. On Thursday night at 7 p.m., he and Al Richmond, Arizona State Railroad Museum Foundation president, will introduce the plan to Williams City Council. Williams City Hall is located at 113 S. First St.