KAYENTA, Ariz. (Mar. 2, 2026) — Governor Katie Hobbs joined state, tribal, and local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC) relocation and expansion project in Kayenta, marking a major investment in rural workforce development and educational access in northeast Arizona.
The project, developed in partnership with Kayenta Township and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), will establish a new two-building academic complex in Kayenta’s industrial park near Highway 160 and the Kayenta Alternative Rural Hospital.
Once complete, the expanded Kayenta Center will include:
- In-person and connected classrooms
- Science and health laboratories
- A computer lab
- A small business development conference room
- A new town library location
The facility is expected to be completed by May 2027.
Expanding Higher Education Access in Rural and Tribal Communities
The expansion will allow students in Kayenta and surrounding communities to complete degree programs locally without traveling to other NPC campuses. In addition to academic programs, the center will continue serving as a community hub providing free and reliable access to computers, high-speed internet, and business services.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents a major milestone in expanding higher education access in rural Arizona,” said Governor Hobbs. “By investing in facilities like the new Kayenta Center, we’re creating more education and career pathways for Arizonans in rural and Tribal communities that are vital to shaping our state’s future.”
Infrastructure Investment Supports Long-Term Economic Growth
To support the development, Kayenta Township invested in critical infrastructure improvements within the new industrial park, including:
- Construction of a new roadway
- Installation of water and sewer utilities
- Broadband-ready infrastructure
Township leaders emphasized the project’s alignment with long-term economic diversification goals, particularly following the closures of the Black Mesa and Peabody Kayenta coal mines.
“This project has the promise to strengthen and expand the local Township economy by developing homegrown talent aligned with Navajo cultural values and regional workforce needs,” said Kayenta Township Manager Jarvis Williams. “The Township is fully committed to its success.”
Economic Transition Funding Drives Project Forward
The expansion was supported by a $9 million Economic Transition Resources Grant awarded by the Arizona Commerce Authority in 2024. The funding is part of a statewide initiative assisting communities impacted by the decline of the coal industry in rural Arizona.
NPC applied for the grant in collaboration with Kayenta Township, Kayenta Unified School District, Kayenta Health Services, and other regional partners. A ceremonial lease agreement was signed in June 2025 by Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, and development coordination began shortly thereafter.
“We’re proud to partner with Northland Pioneer College on the expanded Kayenta Center,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “This groundbreaking reflects a shared commitment to strengthening rural Arizona’s economy and workforce.”
Community-Driven Vision for the Future
NPC President Dr. Von Lawson emphasized that the project reflects years of collaboration and advocacy from the Kayenta community.
“When I look into the eyes of children and see that unmistakable spark, I see possibility,” Lawson said. “This is your campus. Built because you dreamed it. And it will open because you believed in it.”
About Northland Pioneer College
Northland Pioneer College serves residents of Navajo and Apache counties through four regional campuses and five centers, offering academic, career and technical, and personal enrichment programs. NPC is committed to affordable tuition, small class sizes, and community-centered education.
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority is the state’s leading economic development organization focused on business attraction, expansion, and entrepreneurship to strengthen Arizona’s economy statewide.
