Economic summit lists Yuma incentives

Mar 8, 2010 — The Yuma Daily Sun

Mar. 8, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Drafting an action plan to meet the needs of key stakeholders was the focus of a second meeting of the Yuma County Workforce and Economic Development Summit Thursday.

Hosted by the Yuma Private Industry Council, the nonprofit welcomed its partners from the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, Yuma City Council, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., Yuma County Chamber of Commerce and others to the Hampton Inn and Suites.

The summit concentrated on defining initiatives that respond to opportunities and obstacles to prepare Yuma for a revived economy as it emerges, said John Morales, executive director of YPIC.

"We're reaching out for industry to take a new look at Yuma. But one of the challenges here is our isolation and small population. So we tried to put together a plan that reflects the desires of the stakeholders at our meetings."

Leading breakout workshops was Roger Dale, principal of Natelson Dale Group, consultants to cities and economic development organizations that have the aim of creating a new mix of jobs. Assisting him were Joel McClure, principal of McClure Consulting, and Lay Gibson, professor emeritus and director of economic research programs at the University of Arizona.

Workshops solicited input from participants on how to prioritize strategies for a draft report, Dale noted. They examined two basic tracks: an umbrella strategy exploring all the region's industry and a strategy targeting specific industries.

One idea to emerge was "branding the region," Dale said. "By coming up with a consistent and cohesive message, how does Yuma want to present itself to the world?"

The summit also tackled the problem of brain drain. Young people are leaving the community to get educated elsewhere and then do not return so that Yuma risks losing significant talent, he added.

"We pointed out the already existing four-year degrees in Yuma yet talked about how to improve advertising of this aspect so middle and high schools are better informed about the diversity of curriculum."

Another concept for business expansion is the adoption of the business incubator in conception now by the Western Arizona Economic Development District. It can be a facility or program providing low-cost services to start up businesses and offer training and market assistance too, Dale said.

"Historically, businesses that started in incubators have a much higher success rate than those who go it alone."

Geotourism is also a part of the plan that promotes Yuma's proximity to Mexico and California as well as extolling the beauty of its desert habitat and the abundant sunshine and mild temperatures it experiences year-round, Dale added.

Discussions also explored expansion of airport service as another vital component. With only US Airways (NYSE:LCC) going to Phoenix and United Airways going to Los Angeles, options are limited. So Yuma needs to become a travel hub to make itself more attractive, Dale said.

"One thing I want to emphasize, the plan is a long-term perspective. We know existing organizations are working on attracting new firms. That's the core of GYEDC. We don't want to supercede them. But we want to come up with a way to draw the kind of work force that encourages industry expansion in the whole region."

To smooth a path for the plan, the consultant team is busy completing two reports.

The first is an economic and demographic trends report. Particular emphasis is given to tracing changes in economic and demographic conditions since the first summit process in 2001.

Also, an industry cluster study is under preparation. It identifies potential and long-term growth industries targeting three opportunities: solar energy, logistics and aerospace.

"We want to make sure we're not doing this in a vacuum," Morales said. "We need to explore this in depth and get input from the whole community."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0239-42670185