Professional Plaza opens in Montezuma Creek

Officials met in Montezuma Creek on June 3 to celebrate the completion of the first phase in a project that may result in significant economic development opportunities for southern San Juan County.
The Utah Dine Professional Plaza was opened, culminating a whirlwind project that saw local and tribal officials working together in record time.
It took just three months to process the Navajo Nation Business Site Lease for the Aneth Community Development Corporation, a non-profit enterprise.  Construction was also in record time, approximately one year for Phase I. Generally, approving a site lease can take a minimum of eight months and finding funding for construction can take years. 
However, even more important, may have been the collaboration of the Navajo Nation and the Utah Navajo Royalty Holding Fund in providing a “one stop shop” for professionals that provide services for community and economic development planning in an area that has long been far from the central Navajo government.
Representatives for the nine Northern Navajo Regional Chapters & ancilliary communities attended the event, including Aneth, Dennehotso, Mexican Water, Navajo Mountain, Oljato, Red Mesa, Rock Point, Sweetwater and Teec Nos Pos. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. was the scheduled keynote speaker.
The intent is to build an office complex for entrepreneurs to incubate businesses that provide community services. In addition, there will be access to professional services and expertise, such as architects, accountants, financial, legal, marketing, project management, public relations, engineering, info tech, surveying and human resource development. 
Phase I will house the Aneth Community Development Corporation, Nvajo Nation Northern Regional Business Development Office and, tentatively, the Navajo Utah Commission.  Phase II is now in the planning stages for a new Post Office and another office building.