INDIAN WELLS, Ariz. — After more than two decades of planning and delays, a new convenience store is finally moving forward in Indian Wells, with local leaders and residents celebrating the milestone as a long-awaited step toward economic self-sufficiency.
On Friday, July 25, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a contract with Keyah Construction to carry out the construction of the project.
Originally proposed in 2005 as part of a 25-acre community development plan, the project was delayed for years by funding complications, planning challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian Wells Chapter officials, working with the Navajo Division of Economic Development and the Small Business Development Department, reignited the effort, using local chapter funds to complete power infrastructure needs and push the project forward.
The $3.6 million convenience store, funded by the Navajo Nation Permanent Trust Fund, will include a deli, post office, and gas station operated under Red Mesa Trading. It is expected to create five permanent jobs and generate $450,000 annually in tax revenue for the Navajo Nation.
“This store is not just a storefront, it’s a symbol of self-determination,” said President Nygren. “It’s about building something by Navajo hands, for Navajo families, and keeping dollars circulating within our communities.”
Community members said the project will serve not only Indian Wells but also the many travelers who pass through daily. “Traffic starts as early as 3 a.m. and runs into the night,” said a community member. “This is a well-traveled area with people coming from Many Farms, Window Rock, Holbrook, Flagstaff and Phoenix. The store will benefit everyone, not just our community.”
Project Superintendent Dominique Silversmith, who lives just two miles from the site, will oversee construction, which is expected to be completed in just over a year. With clearances finalized and contracts signed, construction will begin.
