The Hualapai Nation of the Grand Canyon is celebrating a $1 million Federal Highway Works Administration grant but must raise another $9.5 million to complete development of the main canyon access road.

An April 19 reception held at Inter Tribal Council of Arizona’s headquarters in Phoenix marked receipt of the funds from FHWA’s Public Lands Discretionary budget. They are earmarked to pave Diamond Bar Road, the main overland access to Grand Canyon West. The resort received national attention last year after daredevil Robbie Knievel chose the site for his motorcycle jump over the Grand Canyon.

Hualapai Chairwoman Louise Benson said that she will ask “everybody,” including Congress, for funds to complete the 14-mile stretch of road running through Mohave County. The final seven mile stretch through the Hualapai Reservation was paved in 1997.

Even with the rough road conditions, the tribe estimates that Grand Canyon West is host to 7,500 visitors per month, far fewer than the 300,000 monthly visitors crowding Grand Canyon National Park.

“We at FHA are very, very pleased to have this small part in the tribe’s effort,” said FHWA Team Leader Nathan Banks. “We believe it will lead to tribal self-sufficiency and contribute to (tribal) sovereignty.”

Hualapai Public Services Director Alex Cabillo III noted that the tribe got a $5 million loan in 1995 to improve the remote resort area. The dirt airstrip is paved and commercial flights touch down daily. Generators supply electricity, and a deep well pumps water into the facility’s 250,000 gallon tank. Food is served in a covered dining area and the Hualapai river running company operates out of Grand Canyon West. The tribe also settled a dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration over airspace use and now offers the only sanctioned helicopter flights below the canyon rim.

The Hualapais rely heavily on tourism for revenue. Tribal enterprises include pontoon rides along the Colorado River complete with champagne brunches, the helicopter rides, big game hunting permits and an arts and crafts center.

The Hualapais dreamed of building Grand Canyon West since 1932 and Cabillo says the resort follows the original plan.

Even with aggressive efforts to develop the tribe’s economy, “Hualapai is battling a 60 to 70 percent unemployment rate,” Cabillo says. “Economic development and tourism are our focus, (no) gaming.”

The tribe was forced to close its Peach Springs casino in 1995 after it failed to attract customers. Tribal officials feel the improved road will greatly increase tourism activity at the uncrowded resort.

The reception also featured traditional gourd singer Delbert Havatone and a group of dancers from the Hualapai, Havasupai and Fort Mojave tribes. The dancers included Chairwoman Benson, Miss Hualapai Omaovensi Coochwytewa and Camille Gordon, wife of Rep. Tom Gordon, R-Peach Springs.

“We will do all we can at the state level to get the road built,” Gordon said. “This road will be the economic lifeline for the tribe.” He added he “looks forward to working with a well-respected leader like Chairwoman Benson. If anyone can get it done, she can.”