Sylvia Shaffer

Sylvia Shaffer is an Economic Development Manager with a primary focus on retail & commercial. Her job includes retail recruitment, business retention & expansion, and overseeing incentive programs such as the Façade Improvement Program, Infill Incentive Program, future Murals Program, and more. Some of Sylvia’s retail recruitment success stories include landing C-A-L Ranch, Harbor Freight, Culver’s, Dutch Bros, Filiberto’s, and Take 5 Oil Change.  Sylvia was also involved in the development process for the new incoming Wingate and Hawthorn Inn by Wyndham Hotel and works diligently on future retail projects.

Prior to joining the City of Kingman Economic Development Team in July 2019, Sylvia was a Planner for the City of Kingman Planning and Zoning Division for 5 years and a Planner for Mohave County Community Development Department for 9 years.  Sylvia regularly partners with the Kingman Chamber Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to assist small businesses and welcome new ones to town. Sylvia consistently communicates with commercial developers, property owners and prospective tenants to assist them with commercial development.

Sylvia has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Northern Arizona University. In 2021, she obtained AZED Pro Certification from Arizona Association of Economic Development.  Sylvia has taken several IEDC courses and annually, attends several conferences related to retail attraction and Economic Development.

Sylvia moved to Arizona in 2005 and enjoys cooking, baking, beading jewelry, guitar playing, Arizona sunsets, night skies, a little hiking, exploring scenic areas and rock-hounding. She values spending time with her family (6 children and 7 grandchildren) and taking beach vacations with them.  Sylvia enjoys attending the various local events in Kingman such as the 66 Street Drags, Kingsmen Rodeos, 66 Fest, and more.