Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ Family) — There is increased traffic and activity around Arizona campuses today as college students return to ASU, UofA and NAU for the new semester.

In Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University students are settled, which means a booming local economy.

NAU’s campus was buzzing with excitement as students rushed to prepare for classes this semester.

Makayla Melvin, a sophomore from Flagstaff, said the city comes alive when school is out.

“It’s really crowded, the traffic is definitely bad, and it’s hard to get into the restaurant,” Melvin said. “Of course this place is more lively, so it’s more fun, but I think it’s exciting. It’s just really busy and always crowded.”

According to NAU, the school contributes $1.9 billion to the economy and nearly 20,000 jobs annually.

Melvin said the impact is being felt downtown.

“It’s more crowded because people come who don’t know downtown,” she said. “People want to know what it is about the hats we have in there. Food kind of closes everything down there. So it’s even more crowded in the store and the door There are bars outside.”

Businesses are thriving, but the cost of living is 22 percent higher than in the rest of the country, which can be tough for students, according to the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.

That’s why some students, like Colin Sullivan, spend their money on campus.

“We have dine-in dollars and meals and things like that, so it’s like anywhere on campus, and to be honest, I’d rather use that,” he said.

But Sullivan knows many students support local businesses around town.

“If they want to set up that business themselves, it’s great to support them,” he said. “Also, a lot of people here are doing this right out of college. They create their own business or something.”

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