Casa Grande. Coolidge. Kingman. Douglas. These communities are often considered rural, yet each is strategically positioned and poised to play a significant role in Arizona’s economic growth over the coming decades. Once seen as peripheral, these municipalities are now stepping into the spotlight, recognizing their potential and preparing to lead.
Over the past 10 years, the mindset around these areas has shifted. Where they were once overlooked, they are now actively updating their General Plans, revising development codes, and positioning themselves to compete for grant funding and investment opportunities. These communities are taking a long-term, strategic look at their future — preparing not just for the next 10 years, but for 20 and 30 years ahead.
Jessica Sarkissian, AICP and founder of Upfront Planning & Entitlements, has worked in rural communities across Arizona for more than 22 years. She notes the momentum.
“These communities understand their unique character, but they’re also beginning to realize what they have to offer that larger cities often can’t — prime trade locations, access to multiple transportation corridors, and room to grow,” Sarkissian said.
Upfront Planning delivers comprehensive land planning services to both public and private clients across Arizona with a special focus on small and rural communities. The firm helps these communities think beyond immediate needs and plan strategically for long-term success. By engaging directly with local officials, residents, and business owners, Upfront Planning crafts tailored plans, policies, codes, and procedures that support sustainable growth while preserving each community’s unique character and quality of life.
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Take Kingman and Douglas, for example. They sit at the geographic edges of the state, yet they serve as critical nodes in Arizona’s transportation and trade networks. Both cities recently updated their General Plans, expanded their planning areas, and adopted more strategic policies and land use frameworks; proactively identifying opportunities in areas that had long been overlooked.
Since implementing those updates, both communities have secured federal funding and grants for infrastructure improvements near commercial ports of entry and trade corridors. They’ve also issued RFPs for further investment in these areas. While not every grant application has been successful, the presence of up-to-date plans and clearly defined goals has changed the conversation. These plans demonstrate a level of readiness and commitment that resonates with funding agencies and developers alike.
“Many rural communities initially tell me they feel overlooked by federal and state funding,” Sarkissian said. “But the real question is: are you waiting for help to arrive, or are you taking that first step. Putting solid plans, policies, and codes in place to attract that help?”
Communities like Kingman and Douglas are stepping up. They are funding planning departments, hiring experienced staff, and educating local leadership about the value of proactive, forward-thinking planning.
“This is a turning point for rural Arizona,” Sarkissian explained. “With the rise of virtual engagement and access to experienced consultants, smaller communities now have the tools to compete. Those who act decisively — who invest in planning, adopt competitive policies, and think long-term — will be the first to see meaningful results.
“Arizona’s rural communities are no longer waiting on the sidelines. They are investing in themselves. The rest of the state is beginning to take notice,” Sarkissian said.
