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Julie Engel, CEcD President/CEO. 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. Vision:
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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 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 • Core Values • Honesty and Integrity In all we do • Commitment to Stakeholders and Personnel • Diversity, Tolerance , Equity • The Creation of Wealth for Individuals, Businesses and Communities • Cooperation and Collaboration • Environmental Stewardship
Yuma Alternative Energy Institute • Arizona Western College Solar Array Testing Site: • 5 megawatts makes this the single biggest solar installation at a U.S. college or university • 4.995 megawatts—new installation • 105.6 kilowatts—existing rooftop array at AWC • Five (5) proven solar technologies will be tested against thirty (30) new technologies for quick access to market • Most participating technologies boast small cradle to grave footprint – 97% recyclable components • NREL is the Solar Monitoring clearinghouse that will control data feed • Planned deployment: eastern and southern areas of main campus (300+ acres) • New lab and classroom space dedicated to research, testing and applied learning curriculum. • Current courses include: Solar installation, maintenance and A.S. in Solar Technology • Participating companies include: • SunTech • SolFocus • Green Volt • Sharp • Solarworld
Access to the World • Located on the border of two countries and four states, Yuma market access exceeds 53 million within a one day truck haul • New San Luis Commercial Port of Entry is one of the newest, most technologically advanced POE in the nation. • Features: • 15 Lanes • CTPAT , SENTRI and Fast lanes access • USDA check stations • Direct Access to Interstate 8 via Area Service Highway • 25 commercial docks with five (5) temperature controlled • Yuma awarded the CANAMEX Corridor Western Passage Designation • Yuma Port Authority Industrial Park is a 250 acre, FTZ certified park connected to the San Luis Commercial POE • Highways: Interstate 8 and Highway 95 • Rail: Union Pacific and DC Logistics Transload • Air: YIA offers 24 inbound/outbound flights daily to Phoenix and L.A. (United and US Airways) • Freight: 17 local and nation trucking companies service the region • <4 hours from L.A./Long Beach POE
Yuma is Hungry! City of Yuma Economic Development Incentive Fund 1. The City of Yuma has created a performance based incentive fund designed to encourage new business development, business expansions and relocations. The fund can provide up to $1,500 per new hire, given to the company in an upfront cash grant award. 2. The City of Yuma will support and agree to property tax abatements for companies creating new jobs above the County median wage ($12.12/hr) along with a capital investment to exceed $1 million and per the approval of the City Council. The duration of the abatement will be predicated upon the overall economic impact of the project. Yuma County Infrastructure Fund The County of Yuma will provide in-kind matching funds for projects requiring infrastructure improvements that are beneficial to the user and community Foreign Trade Zone #219 Within Yuma’s FTZ #219, users will receive the advantage of activating sites within 30 days of the FTZ board approval. The users of FTZ #219 will also receive the property reclassification benefit for the entire foot print of the project with no sunset clause New Market Tax Credits Below market interest loans guaranteed by federal government for the purpose of stimulating development in rural communities. The loan is valued at 15% of the total project cost. Companies utilizing New Market Tax Credits pay on the interest only of the loan for seven years. After the 7th year, the loan is forgiven and the company is awarded the principal and equity of the loan. Other Benefits: IDA, Municipal Bonds, YPIC
Industrial Development Benefits • Average Manufacturing Wage = $12/hr • Low Unionization Rate = <1% • Manufacturing Turnover Rate = <3%(source: Yuma Manufacturers Employment Survey, 2009) • 350+ Displaced Skilled Manufacturers in last 12 months • 50% Bi-Lingual Workforce (San Luis R.C., Mexicali, MX) • Mexican Healthcare Plans (1/3 Cost of Traditional U.S.) • Water Allocation • Twin Plant/Maquiladora Opportunities (i.e. BOSE, Insultech, OPTECH, Johnson Controls Inc.) • Arizona Western College-Yuma offers custom tailored industrial manufacturing certifications through NCCER • Local high schools are now implementing STEAM and Industrial curriculum into their coursework • Yuma Manufacturers AssociationThe Yuma Manufacturers’ Association was formed in 2006 to support the industrial companies in Yuma. As of to date the Yuma Manufacturers Association has graduated 275+ employees through the program. A customized training curriculum was designed around the common needs in manufacturing: • Industrial Electric • Programmatic Logistic Controls (PLC) • Lean Manufacturing • Six Sigma • ISO • “Super Manufacturing Manager”