Yuma Council votes to continue partnership with GYEDC

City will pay agency $232,000 for 2017-18

Yuma will continue to work in the coming year with the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, which is tasked with locating and attracting industry to the region.

On Wednesday, with a 6-0 vote, the Yuma City Council approved an agreement that will provide $232,000 to GYEDC for fiscal year 2017-18, which is the same funding the agency received last year. The agreement is renewable for four additional one-year terms.

According to a staff report, Yuma requires outside agencies that are funded by the city to sign an agreement that sets performance standards and calls for accountability in the work performed and how the funds are spent.

During a Tuesday work session, Councilman Gary Wright asked whether performance standards were set every year. City Administrator Greg Wilkinson replied that yes, the city sets annual standards, modifying them a little every year. He noted the city worked out the details with Julie Engel, the agency’s president and CEO.

“She’s good with everything here,” Wilkinson said.

Under the agreement, GYEDC is required to maintain and submit monthly records and reports on how funds are spent before receiving payment from the city.

Also on Tuesday, Councilman Edward Thomas praised the work done by the agency. “GYEDC has been doing a great job working without city administrator and city staff and the job that they do to bring economic development into our city. I think this is a win-win situation.”

Deputy Mayor Gary Knight agreed, saying, “The proof is in what we’re seeing now as far as the businesses that have been attracted to the city and county. They’re doing a great job.”

GYEDC is local nonprofit en-

tity established to promote and strengthen regional economic development, cooperation and coordination within the city. The staff report noted that under this agreement, GYEDC will work to promote economic development through outbound marketing to targeted industry sectors, as well as to retain and expand businesses currently located within the city limits.

Recently the agency has worked with three major companies — Almark Foods, MarTech Medical Devices and MPW Industrial Services — in tandem with the city. All of the companies have either moved or announced plans to move to the city.

The agreement outlines 16 duties to be performed by the agency:

1. Conduct business retention and expansion activities for existing companies and grow jobs through retention.

2. Act as a facilitator to the Yuma Manufacturer’s Association.

3. Partner with the Yuma International Airport to recruit airline service and recruit aerospace companies to use assets at YIA and

Million Air, the airport’s fixed-based operator.

4. Represent employers on the Yuma Private Industry Council regarding workforce needs and training;

5. Foster educational opportunities through cooperation with the Yuma school districts and college institutions, assist with grant applications and help guide the development of curriculum geared towards workforce needs.

6. Encourage Yuma partnerships with the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and Arizona Western College;

7. Represent the Yuma region at the Arizona-Mexico Commission.

8. Represent the region on the Arizona Commerce Authority Rural Advisory Council grant funding, infrastructure funding and statewide support for rural development;

9. Work with the 4FrontED consortium of Yuma County public agencies, San Luis, Sonora, and Mexicali, Baja Calif.

10. Maintain active involvement in the statewide economic development organization.

11. Maintain active involvement in the international economic development

organization.

12. Continue to provide cost analysis and statistic reports.

13. Publish a monthly publication depicting economic happenings in the region, state and federal areas as well as showcasing local investors driving economic vitality.

14. Conduct local speaking engagements to inform

the community of GYEDC’s activities at the state and national levels which brings positive attention to the Yuma region.

15. Conduct outbound marketing to targeted industry sectors.

16. Identify grants, incentives and low-interest financing mechanisms to assist existing base industry expansions.