Greater Yuma Port Authority outlines San Luis 2 industrial park growth, cross‑border initiatives

Buna George, executive director of the Greater Yuma Port Authority, told the San Luis Economic Development Commission that the port authority is pursuing industrial development and cross‑border trade projects around San Luis 2 that aim to expand commercial capacity and safety for freight traffic.

The presentation described the port authority’s mission and governance and gave an overview of San Luis 2, a parcel purchased in the early 2000s to separate commercial operations from pedestrian and passenger vehicle traffic. "My name is Buna George. I serve as the executive director to the Greater Yuma Port Authority," George said as she introduced the authority’s board and recent work.

George said the original purchase of a little over 240 acres led to gifts and sales of portions of the land for federal and state facilities and creation of an industrial park. She said about 50 acres are occupied and developed and generate more than $500,000 in taxable value for Yuma County. She described a Phase 3 development funded in part by Yuma County and ARPA funds; the presentation stated the county allocated what was described in the meeting as "over 2 and a half $1,000,000" for a shovel‑ready infrastructure project and that 97 acres were later sold "for a little over $7,000,000." (Amounts quoted are as stated in the presentation.)

George outlined current initiatives: a corridor design for County 25th from Avenue D to Ash Highway funded in part by a $134,000 award to cover 30% of design costs, a $400,000 feasibility study allocated to the General Services Administration (GSA) to explore future private‑vehicle processing at San Luis 2, and a partnership with Illumination Labs for a data storage operation to support data‑driven industry recruitment. She said the port authority is working with U.S. and Mexican consulates, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on operational and staffing needs as commercial traffic grows.

George described outreach and staffing advocacy: the port authority has suspended routine cash calls this year after land‑sale revenue allowed member governments to retain their $50,000 contributions. She also said the port authority is engaged in preparation for the 2026 USMCA review and partners with nearby port authorities such as Nogales and Douglas on regional coordination.

Commission members asked no substantive questions; the presentation concluded with George offering to field questions and thanking the commission for their time.