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 Few community parks turn a profit. Police and fire departments do not auction off their services to the highest bidder. You won’t find many toll booths lined along local Arizona highways. Yet these amenities and services need funding to survive. A strong community must have a strong economy. Fortunately, Arizona communities can look to APS for help in setting the stage for an economy that survives and prospers. APS’ A Focused Future – an award-winning program sponsored by the APS Economic Development Department – offers strategic planning, economic development education and a blueprint for getting citizens involved in building their community. According to Evelyn Casuga, APS’ program manager of community development, community member involvement is vital to the program’s success. "Our first step in A Focused Future – is getting people involved. We introduce them to the concept of viewing their community holistically – as integrated components," said Casuga. "We hold orientation meetings; form action teams; help them implement ideas and then come back later to evaluate their success. The program is about giving community members the opportunity to get involved in a constructive way." The involvement is working. Since 1993, when the program began, A Focused Future has helped nearly 30 Arizona communities – from Sedona to Douglas – develop stronger economies. Many initial pilot communities are now beginning a second stage in which they work with APS to revisit their original strategies and delve further into improving quality of life. "A Focused Future is one of those rare win-win programs," Casuga said. "We stress early on that this is a partnership. Like the members of the community, APS has a stake in the community’s financial growth. We’re making an investment. As they thrive, so do we." There isn’t a lot of fanfare or advertising for the program, but this grassroots approach is part of A Focused Future’s success. "We put the future of the community in the hands of its members and then give them tools and guidance," says Casuga. "A Focused Future is a community-based program. That is why it has been so successful."
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