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Arizona Western College presents $319 million regional impact; Greater Yuma EDC outlines 2025–2030 SEDS

City of San Luis City Council · February 26, 2026

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Summary

Arizona Western College officials told the council the college contributes an estimated $319.2 million in regional impact and supports thousands of jobs; Greater Yuma EDC outlined an EDA-approved comprehensive economic development strategy to coordinate regional projects and strengthen grant competitiveness.

Presentations by Arizona Western College (AWC) and the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC) focused on education-driven economic impact and a regional strategy to improve grant competitiveness.

Susana Zambrano, AWC dean of regional centers and adult education, told the council that AWC serves many first-generation and Hispanic students and reported several performance metrics: 16% growth in headcount over the last decade, increases in credentials awarded and transfers to state universities, and an estimated $319.2 million overall regional impact supporting about 4,688 jobs in the AWC district (Yuma and La Paz counties). She said operations spending added $51.1 million in regional income and supported 351 jobs, and that construction spending in the district totaled $42 million during recent projects. Zambrano urged support for campus expansion and partnerships to accommodate continued enrollment growth.

Amber Scheck, chief operations officer for Greater Yuma EDC, presented the regional comprehensive economic development strategy (SEDS) approved by the Economic Development Administration for 2025–2030. She emphasized that a living SEDS with a rolling project list strengthens competitiveness for federal and state infrastructure funding, aligns workforce and industry priorities across jurisdictions and encourages regional coordination when applying for grants.

Council members thanked the presenters, noted local growth in South County enrollment, and encouraged continued partnerships and advocacy for funding to support campus expansion and transportation projects.