A Rural Future Needs a Strong Foundation
Chino Valley’s 2040 General Plan calls for limited, sustainable growth that protects rural character while giving the town a stronger economic base. The Perkins Ranch Airfield fits that vision.
An economic impact analysis shows Phase I construction of the proposed Perkins Ranch airstrip is projected to generate approximately $546,300 in revenue for the Town of Chino Valley. At Phase III, the airfield could support 282 jobs annually, generate approximately $3.1 million in construction-related revenue, provide $113 million in planned long-term private investment, and about $100,900 in recurring annual revenue for the Town of Chino Valley. The report is based on a 20-year economic analysis of the planned project.
This is not growth for growth’s sake. It is a privately funded, carefully phased project designed to keep a historic working ranch intact while creating new opportunities tied to aviation, education, research and advanced manufacturing.
The airfield begins with a major private investment by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Over time, future phases could attract skilled jobs, local spending and new business activity in industries that fit Chino Valley better than dense housing or high-traffic development.
The goal is simple: create economic value without turning Chino Valley into somewhere else.
The project is designed to:
Keep large areas of the ranch open and rural
Support higher-wage jobs and workforce training
Generate construction activity and local business spending
Expand the town’s long-term economic base
Grow in phases, with continued Town review and oversight
A Better Kind of Growth
Chino Valley does not have to choose between preserving its rural identity and building a stronger future. The General Plan recognizes both.
The Town also faces a practical challenge: a growing community must maintain roads, support public safety and provide basic services with limited revenue. When the budget is tight, those needs do not go away. They become harder to meet.
The Perkins Ranch Airfield offers a way to strengthen the town’s economic base without inviting dense housing or high-traffic development. Private investment, construction activity and new business spending can generate additional revenue for local services while keeping the project low-density and compatible with Chino Valley’s rural character. This is the kind of growth that can help pay its own way.
