GYEDC Strategic Plan
Vision Greater Yuma will be recognized as a globally competitive region – one that embraces advancing technology, attracts and retains human capital and continues to develop & foster the amenities that make the Yuma Region a great place to live and work.
Mission To expand economic activity within Yuma County by attracting commerce and industry to the region, and by assisting in developing the region’s existing industry to its fullest potential.
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Goal #1
Advance High-Wage Job Creation Strategic Implementation: Enhance our targeted attraction strategy focused on the Greater Yuma Region’s competitive advantages in industries such as Aerospace & Defense, Food Processing, Logistics and Distribution, Ag-Tech and Advanced Manufacturing. Promote the Region’s competitiveness by marketing our cost of doing business, quality of life, and speed-to-market advantages. Continue collaborations with workforce, education, and infrastructure partners to ensure talent availability and site readiness to potential employers. Expand partnerships with national tenant brokers and developers.
www.greateryuma.org
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Goal #2
Strengthen Global Competitiveness Strategic Implementation: Broaden our foreign direct investment program by expanding marketing efforts in Mexico, Europe and Asian markets. Leverage state, national, and international partnerships, including Arizona’s nine global trade offices, to attract investment, generate deal flow, and elevate Greater Yuma’s profile within targeted industries. Promoting Ag-Tech and defense testing capabilities internationally while highlighting our expectational R&D ecosystem. Leverage our shared bi-national assets in Baja and Sonora within future attraction efforts.
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Goal #3
Expand Existing Industries Strategic Implementation: Broaden our Business Retention and Expansion Program while utilizing our broader partnerships with Business-to-Business opportunities. Enhance our workforce and educational partnerships to provide value through certification, upskilling, and developmental resources. Continue identifying incentive opportunities such as grants, low-interest loans, and beneficial expansion programs. Leverage grant incentive and financing vehicles to support workforce training. Assist companies in the recruitment of talent and retention of key personnel.
www.greateryuma.org
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Goal #4
Enhance Investor & Stakeholder Experience Strategic Implementation: Maintain a proactive Investor Relations Program focused on strengthening relationships,
delivering value, and aligning investor engagement with regional economic priorities. Leverage data, analytics, and market intelligence to provide investors and stakeholders with timely insights that reflect their individual strategies and goals. Deliver consistent, high-quality engagement opportunities to include investor forums, seminars, workshops, and symposiums that support their visibility, connectivity, and business objectives. Continuously anticipate and evaluate investor and stakeholder needs and expectations to ensure strategies remain relevant and valuable.
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Goal #5
Foster a Resilient Economy Strategic Implementation: Pursue resources that strengthen our workforce, infrastructure, and supply chain capacity. Increase activity within our economic engine zones (Yuma Proving Ground, San Luis Commercial Port of Entry, Yuma International Airport). Work with public policy makers to advance programs that continue to improve the regional business environment for existing and new base industry. Embrace emerging technologies and industries that increase our innovation capital.
www.greateryuma.org
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Josh Finkbeiner, Chair Foothills Bank
Salvador Machado, Vice Chair
Associated Materials Innovations
Daniel Bazua, Secretary/Treasurer R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers
Mayor Gerry Anaya
Mayor Douglas Nicholls
Michelle Burkeen
Ricardo Perez
City of Somerton
City of Yuma
Arizona Public Service
OneAZ Credit Union
Alejandro Figueroa, Ex - Officio
Supervisor Martin Porchas
Dr. Tanya Hodges
Council Member Esteban Rosales
Mayor Michelle Jones
Mark Schauer, Ex – Officio
Dr. Shadi Kilani
Jay Simonton
Supervisor Jonathan Lines
Tonya Tacker
Yuma County
Yuma County
University of Arizona - Yuma
City of San Luis
Town of Wellton
Yuma Proving Ground
Arizona Western College
City of Yuma
Yuma County
Gowan Companies
Gary Magrino
Dr. Robert Trenschel
Antonio Martizez, Ex - Officio
Tom Tyree
Cocopah Tribe
Marine Corps Air Station
Onvida Health
Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma
Council Member Chris Morris City of Yuma
Contact Us: P.O. Box 369, Yuma, AZ 85366 | Office: 928-782-7774 | www.greateryuma.org 8