Greater Yuma EDC outlines Colorado River Basin SEDS update, highlights Yuma Spaceport and workforce hub

YUMA — Amber Scheck, chief operations officer for the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, briefed the Board of Supervisors on a regional update to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), renamed the Colorado River Basin SEDS, and described priority projects the strategy will promote.

Scheck said the update, required by the U.S. Economic Development Administration every five years to preserve eligibility for certain EDA funds, was developed by a regional strategy committee representing Yuma and La Paz counties and key municipal and industry partners. The draft was posted for public comment from April 15 to May 15.

“The strategic plan updates outline a unified regional vision for economic development, identifies actionable goals to boost innovation and resilience while supporting infrastructure development and job creation,” Scheck said. She listed priority projects including the Yuma Spaceport for suborbital testing and aerospace research and development; an Innovation Workforce Hub to centralize entrepreneurship programs and technical training; downtown San Luis redevelopment to support mixed use and cross-border commerce; and critical infrastructure projects such as broadband, water and shovel-ready sites.

Scheck said the plan is intended to support — not replace — local economic development efforts and that the finalized SEDS will be submitted to the EDA after final revisions. She also confirmed a consultant is preparing the written document and that the final approved plan would be published on a regional website following EDA approval.

No board action was taken; the presentation was informational. Scheck invited continued stakeholder input as the document moves toward final submission to the EDA.