Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greater Yuma EDC reports midyear wins: 366 projected jobs, $85M planned capital investment in 2025
Summary
The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation told the county board it assisted six firms expecting hundreds of jobs and tens of millions in capital investment, and updated supervisors on ongoing projects including two undisclosed Fortune 500 prospects, a smart‑farm initiative and NSF spaceport grant progress.
Greg Lavan, president of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, presented a midyear report to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 19, saying six companies the EDC supported in the prior six months have committed to creating 366 jobs and are projecting more than $85 million in capital investment for 2025.
Lavan told the board the projected average wage for those hires “is over $15,000 higher than the county median wage” and estimated payroll generation of more than $20 million if companies meet commitments in 2025. He said two confidential projects (“Project Ambition” and “Project 310”) are Fortune 500 firms in early engineering design; he did not announce identities.
Lavan described several county‑wide initiatives: assisting Yuma County Industrial Development Authority (YCIDA) with a “smart farm” infrastructure plan for agricultural technology testing; collaborating with local partners on a $16 million National Science Foundation grant to support a spaceport and regional innovation; and supporting Arizona Western College’s $4 million manufacturing center designed to train technicians for manufacturing, logistics and aerospace roles.
He said the county is pursuing binational attraction through a consultant working with the Greater Yuma Port Authority and will continue trade outreach in Mexico City. Lavan also noted work to revive the General Motors (GM) test facility for increased commercial use and to pursue Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding for infrastructure—he cited a recent $2 million EDA grant to the city of San Luis for border sewer and water work as an example of the strategy in action.
Supervisors praised the county‑wide focus, noting Lavan’s emphasis on East County and San Luis as well as Yuma city projects. No formal action was taken; the presentation was given for information and discussion.
Lavan closed by saying the EDC expects to hold more than 52 pitch meetings with site selectors and 41 one‑on‑one company meetings by year‑end as part of its outreach and recruitment program.
