The Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute (ABEPI) at Northern Arizona University received $50,000 from Alliance Bank of Arizona as part of an ongoing partnership. The money helps fund ABEPI’s mission of encouraging state tourism and assisting the economic development of rural, tribal and northern business communities in Arizona.
Housed within The W. A. Franke College of Business, ABEPI focuses on gathering primary data and carrying out quantitative research that will support its mission. ABEPI puts an effort into community outreach through training, technical assistance and business support services. Also under the umbrella of ABEPI are the Seventh Generation Money Management initiative for tribal financial literacy and the Road House Scholar program that offers educational travel programs throughout the Southwest.
“This continued partnership helps us to move toward our goal of becoming the leading regional economic data collection and analysis group,” said Wade Rousse, interim director of the Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute. “Support from Alliance Bank allows our team to concentrate on research and economic development that not only affects northern Arizona, but the entire state and region. It also allows the institute to continue financial literacy efforts throughout tribal communities.”
Since 2012, Alliance Bank of Arizona has bolstered ABEPI’s strength with annual donations. The cumulative total for the last seven years now reaches $350,000—money ABEPI uses to serve more than 10,000 people annually through its various initiatives.
“Partnerships such as this are essential as Northern Arizona University strives to fulfill its mission of creating opportunities in Arizona and beyond,” President Rita Cheng said. “As we continue working on expanding access to education and enhancing the economy in the region, the university looks forward to continued collaboration with Alliance Bank of Arizona.”
The relationship between NAU and Alliance Bank of Arizona is centered around a shared commitment to strengthening the economic future of northern Arizona and making a positive impact in the community.
“The research being done at the Alliance Bank Economic Policy Institute is critical not just for northern Arizona, but for the state as a whole,” said Don H. Garner, chief executive officer of Alliance Bank of Arizona. “This research institute is looking at the economic impacts of wildfires hitting Arizona towns, assessing customer satisfaction in the northern Arizona health care community, providing invaluable financial literacy resources to the Native American community and so much more.”