Cochise County approves IGA with Douglas to acquire right of way for future port-of-entry connector

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors approved an intergovernmental agreement on May 20 to work with the City of Douglas to acquire right of way from Kings Highway East to James Ranch Road, supporting a planned commercial land port of entry west of Douglas.

County staff told the board the county would acquire the right of way where it falls under county jurisdiction and provide zoning and related regulatory actions; the city would use the acquired corridor to establish utilities and a future connector road. The board approved the motion 3-0.

Miss Gilman explained that the agreement would help establish a future connector from Kings Highway to James Ranch Road and, more importantly, a utility corridor for a prospective port of entry. Supervisor Gomez stressed the county’s need to be proactive, citing recent federal and state funding awarded to other ports such as Nogales and Yuma and urging a county master plan for economic development tied to the port project.

Supporters on the board said the project could support commercial traffic for mining and cattle transport and pleaded for coordinated regional planning. No cost figures or funding commitments were adopted during the meeting; the IGA establishes a framework for joint acquisition and zoning coordination between the county and the City of Douglas.

The board did not set a timeline for acquisitions or identify specific funding sources during the vote. Supervisors said they plan to discuss a county master plan for economic development and ports of entry at a future work session.