SHIPROCK, NM – The largest Navajo town will soon see a hotel built that it’s been waiting for since 2015. Earlier this month, Navajo Nation President Nygren spearheaded the groundbreaking of the $22.5 million Shiprock Pinnacle Hotel. It marks a notable stage of economic growth for the Navajo Nation’s largest community. Envisioned by earlier Navajo leaders, the hotel will be a 95-room, limited-service property strategically located near the Wells Fargo bank off U.S. Highway 49.
President Nygren was joined by Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise CEO Stan Sapp; Navajo Nation Council Delegates Eugenia Charles-Newton, Amber Crotty, Rickie Nez, Steven Arviso, Brenda Jesus; and Hospitality Board Member and Council Delegate Otto Tso.
“This long overdue project marks a significant milestone that will keep dollars within the Navajo Nation and attract tourists and businesses to our beautiful lands,” said President Nygren. He credited former Presidents Russell Begaye, Jonathan Nez and the 23rd Navajo Nation Council for laying the groundwork. “This hotel would not be possible without the foresight of our past leaders,” he said.
Funding for the project comes from a combination of $2.3 million from the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development’s sales tax, $11.4 million from the Sihasin Fund and $8.3 million from the Permanent Trust Fund.
“This is one of the products of the Permanent Trust Fund plan,” said Delegate Tso. “When COVID hit us, inflation hit us. We had to get this done.” He credited former Council Delegate Tom Chee for his persistent efforts to keep the project alive, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stan Sapp, Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise CEO, said beyond the 77 jobs the hotel will bring to the community, the Pinnacle Hotel will be an economic anchor. “We expect a mix to be about 60 to 70 percent business people and the tourists to be 30 to 40 percent of the mix that come here,” said Sapp.
Design and construction of the project will be done by the Navajo-owned architectural firm Dyron Murphy Architects and general contractor Benally-Woodruff Construction. The hotel is expected to be completed within 18 months.