Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation

by GIS Planning ZoomTour

Greater Yuma Mega Region

The Greater Yuma Mega Region is made up of four states and two countries, serving a population of over 1.5 million people. Our unique location and assets allow for easy access to international and southwest markets with the ability to deliver goods in a single day truck haul. Our growing defense and aerospace industry thrive in our optimum climate and state of the art infrastructure support for research and development, testing and manufacturing. This region is entering the Space Launch sector due to our enviable controlled airspace and facilities that support the needs of companies launching to lower earth orbit, as well as the companies needing to launch and test ballistics. Growing companies needing a dedicated skilled workforce and easy access to their customers and supply source have found the Greater Yuma Region to be the answer to all their wants and needs.

This region is leading the research and deployment of robotics, drones and laser technology that will change the way our food is grown, harvested and processed, while constantly striving for food safety guidelines that will be the example for the country and the world. The region is second in the nation for leafy green and produce production and is home to the nation’s largest food producers.

Many companies chose Yuma County as the place to grow their business. Their success is evidenced by their continued growth in this market. We invite you to visit Yuma and meet the Managers of General Motors, Johnson Controls, Shaw Diversified, Associated Materials, Northwestern Industries, International Paper, Gowan Company, Tanimura and Antle, Dannon/Whitewave, McCormick, Driscoll Foods, Almark Foods, Datepac, Lockheed Martin, AQST Space Systems, Rolls Royce and Pratt Whitney to glean first hand why they are thriving in Yuma County.

Learn more: www.greateryuma.org 

Greater Yuma Mega Region

The Greater Yuma Mega Region is made up of four states and two countries, serving a population of over 1.5 million people. Our unique location and assets allow for easy access to international and southwest markets with the ability to deliver goods in a single day truck haul. Our growing defense and aerospace industry thrive in our optimum climate and state of the art infrastructure support for research and development, testing and manufacturing. This region is entering the Space Launch sector due to our enviable controlled airspace and facilities that support the needs of companies launching to lower earth orbit, as well as the companies needing to launch and test ballistics. Growing companies needing a dedicated skilled workforce and easy access to their customers and supply source have found the Greater Yuma Region to be the answer to all their wants and needs.

This region is leading the research and deployment of robotics, drones and laser technology that will change the way our food is grown, harvested and processed, while constantly striving for food safety guidelines that will be the example for the country and the world. The region is second in the nation for leafy green and produce production and is home to the nation’s largest food producers.

Many companies chose Yuma County as the place to grow their business. Their success is evidenced by their continued growth in this market. We invite you to visit Yuma and meet the Managers of General Motors, Johnson Controls, Shaw Diversified, Associated Materials, Northwestern Industries, International Paper, Gowan Company, Tanimura and Antle, Dannon/Whitewave, McCormick, Driscoll Foods, Almark Foods, Datepac, Lockheed Martin, AQST Space Systems, Rolls Royce and Pratt Whitney to glean first hand why they are thriving in Yuma County.

Learn more: www.greateryuma.org 

Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation is an Investor Funded, not-for-profit organization, governed by an 18 member board of directors comprising both private and public sector Investors.  Greater Yuma EDC’s mission is to expand economic activity within Yuma County by attracting commerce and industry to the region, and to assist in developing the region’s existing industry to its fullest potential. Greater Yuma EDC actively recruits base industry to Yuma County combined with aggressive support to existing industry thus creating a stronger tax base supported by new investment dollars to our economy. These industries provide quality jobs for the citizens of Yuma County hence improving the standard of living within Yuma County.


Please check out our site: https://greateryuma.org/

As in many cities, Yuma’s growth in recent decades shifted away from the historic downtown.  The creation of a “pedestrian mall” on Main Street in the 1960s failed to staunch the exodus of retail establishments, and the city largely turned its back on the historic riverfront.  Stripped of their native forests and starved of seasonal flooding, the banks of the Colorado were overgrown with non-native vegetation and often occupied by transients.

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In the 1990s, community leaders came together to develop a plan to reclaim the riverfront and revitalize the historic downtown.  The effort received a major boost with the designation by the U.S. Congress of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which refocused attention on the city’s history and leveraged public investment to encourage private development in the historic North End.

Renovation and reopening of the historic Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge (2002)In 2009, the Heritage Area’s master plan projects earned the Governor’s Arizona Preservation Award as the “most significant contribution toward the preservation of some aspect of the natural, cultural or aesthetic legacy of Arizona.”  These projects included:

  • Development of West Wetlands Park (first phase opened 2002)
  • Development of the East Wetlands environmental restoration area (begun 2004)
  • Development of more than 10 miles of paved and lighted trails on the river and East Main Canal Design and development of Gateway Park (opened 2007)
  • Public/private development of Pivot Point Conference Center (opened Nov. 2008) and Hilton Garden Inn at Pivot Point (opened May 2009)
  • Development of Pivot Point Interpretative Plaza, a free public exhibit area on the site where the first railroad train entered Arizona in 1877 (opened June 2010).

Arizona’s budget crisis in recent years posed a new challenge for Yuma as the two state historic parks bookending its riverfront redevelopment area were threatened with closure.  But the community rallied to “save” the parks, and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area assumed management of the Quartermaster Depot in late 2009 and the Yuma Territorial Prison in early 2010.

With the help of grants, community fundraising, and capital funding from Arizona State Parks, major improvements to the grounds, buildings and  museum exhibits have been completed and historic adobe structures have been reroofed and restored at both parks.  To ensure a bright future for these parks, new master plans are being developed in cooperation with Arizona State Parks and National Park Service.

More recently, the Arizona Historical Society partnered with local Yuma organizations to revitalize its Sanguinetti House Museum along with the rest of its campus in the historic North End, including integration of gardens and private businesses and restoration of the historic adobe Molina Block, Yuma’s first commercial building.  

Downtown YumaAs the City of Yuma celebrated the 100th anniversary of its charter under the laws of the new state of Arizona on April 7, 1914, it also demonstrated that this community is committed to preserving and celebrating its rich heritage and unique position at the crossroads of the Southwest.  Permanent improvements sparked by the Centennial celebration include new signs in historic downtown welcoming residents and visitors to the Gateway of the Great Southwest and a new Centennial beach on the Colorado River in West Wetlands Park.


San Luis, Arizona it is located at the Southwest corner of the State of Arizona, adjacent to the Colorado River and right at the border with San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico and California. Visitors cross the border between both cities on a daily basis, creating a sense of fluidity that impacts all aspects of life, culture, language, heritage, environment and most importantly economy. 

San Luis was incorporated in 1979, as a young city, San Luis appeal extends to the abundance of affordable housing and quality of life that is essential to attracting new residents. With a great educational structure focus in providing higher education and low crime makes this city a unique place to call home. Shopping in San Luis provides a range of diverse retails stores that are located in the downtown adjacent to the border. Shopping in the Mexican border town is always a favorite, and the open air markets in these town offers Mexican souvenirs, dentist, doctors, and pharmacies within walking distance from the border. San Luis rich heritage and cultural appeal makes this city a unique community.

Lear more about the City of San Luis: https://www.sanluisaz.gov/233/About-San-Luis



Somerton, in the fertile Yuma Valley in southwestern Yuma County, is about 12 miles south of Yuma and 180 miles east of San Diego, at an elevation of 103 feet. It is equidistant from the California and Mexican borders.

Major employers within the city are the Somerton School District, City of Somerton, Regional Center for Border Health, Sunset Community Health Center, Del Sol Market, King Market and the Housing America Corporation.

Somerton is the native region of the Cocopah Nation which is a large employer with seven different entertainment, lodging and cultural attractions: The Cocopah Casino, The Cocopah Resort & Conference Center, The Cocopah Rio Colorado Golf Course, The Cocopah Museum, Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, Cocopah Speedway and Wild River Family Entertainment Center.

Somerton is a community that honors its cultural diversity and heritage home to the Somerton Tamale Festival where over 30,000 people swarm Somerton for the annual Tamale Festival every year in the month of December. The Somerton Tamale Festival was created by The EL Diablito Arizona State University (ASU) Alumni Chapter which are ASU graduates who have returned to work and live in the Yuma/Somerton/San Luis area. The organization fills an important need by providing scholarships for local students who will attend Arizona State University. Throughout the year, they hold various fundraisers to support community causes.

Though Somerton's economy depends primarily upon agriculture, light industry is becoming important. Many residents are employed in citrus and vegetable growing and processing. Somerton also has a developing commercial service sector with ample room for further growth.

Somerton has approved a downtown redevelopment plan that offers a package of incentives for businesses that locate in the downtown area or existing ones to upgrade their premises.


Located 29 miles east of Yuma, Arizona, the Town of Wellton, is a center for business, services, recreation, and a leisurely lifestyle. We are home to 3,197 full time residents and countless winter and retired residents.

Surrounded by the Gila Mountains and local farms, the gorgeous sunrises each morning, the warmth, and sun-filled days, it is no wonder that folks have been coming to Wellton to rest and enjoy the town’s quiet setting. You’ll discover our friendly town is a safe haven for you and your family.

We have a rich western history stemming from our roots as a water stop for the railroad (hence Well Town – Wellton) and the Butterfield Stage Coach. You can learn more about our history.

We host several annual events like the Tractor Rodeo, Pioneer Days, an old fashioned 4th of July, Fishing Derby, and Tri-Valley Ambulance Events. With the growth of Wellton comes the growth of our town facilities. We’ve built a new Family Services Center that also houses the medical clinic. The Butterfield Golf Course and Coyote Wash Golf Course provides a leisurely game with the mountains and brilliant orange sunsets as a backdrop. The community pool with its large slide adds a respite for the hot, dry days during the summer. RV parks are abundant. You can plan your next winter visit here and find your RV rest stop.

In addition to our town, we are close to Yuma (the third fastest growing metropolitan area in the country), shopping, and history. We are approximately 2 ½ hours from Phoenix for the major league ballgame and 3 hours from San Diego for an ocean visit.

We invite you to learn more out about our little well town. Take your time and we look forward to your visit.

https://town.wellton.az.us/

Since 1990, Visit Yuma’s mission has been to promote Yuma as a destination city through sharing and celebrating the rich heritage, local events, and the history of Yuma, Arizona with its visitors and Yumans (Yuma natives).

Visit Yuma is a nonprofit corporation that is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(6) of the federal tax code. Growing each year, Visit Yuma has more than 400 members and 10 year-round employees, and is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

Visit Yuma activities are supported in part by a two percent hospitality tax collected by hotels, restaurants and bars. This collection helps Visit Yuma facilitate unique, local events that attract both visitors and Yuma natives.

Visit Yuma markets the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry, as well as the local drive market. Visit Yuma annually distributes more than 40,000 copies of its visitor magazine, which contains a calendar of things to do in Yuma, where to shop in Yuma, and much more. This guide can also be downloaded or browsed here.

Visit Yuma uses the egret in its logo because these majestic birds have made their home along the Colorado River in Yuma. Take a trip to see these birds yourself and float down the Colorado River, then take a short drive over to downtown Yuma for a local bite to eat, and finish off strolling the historic downtown Yuma Main street – you will experience firsthand why Yuma is an authentic and fun destination.

Check out Fast Facts about Visit Yuma here.

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