YMVC Update to the Region - October 31, 2022 - Volume I, Number 6
ARIZONA-MEXICO COMMISSION SUPPORTS YMVC OUTREACH, SAN LUIS INDUSTRIAL PARK EXPANDS AGAIN, PHOENIX INVESTS BIGLY IN FOOD INNOVATION CENTER
Welcome to YMVC's new outreach bulletin, focused on planned steps to increase high-tech education access and success to support existing and future high-tech industry and emerging best practices.

Each article has been selected to support the Ten Recommendations that were unanimously adopted by the YMVC Board of Directors following the completion of our data-driven 3rd party-sourced Strategic Assessment and Market Analysis that formed our Strategic Plan Framework. This work was done in collaboration with Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation.

Our regional focus includes collaboration in Yuma and Imperial Counties as well as Northern Sonora and Baja Norte, Mexico.

We look forward to engaging industry, education, students, parents, and all other stakeholders as we advance to Phase 3 of our project.
We are on a mission.
We are a collaborative organization, bridging higher education, industry, and prospective talent to provide the means to achieve the skilled careers of today and the future.
Improving the Workforce Attraction
and Retention Ecosystem

The data-driven Strategic Plan Framework, built from the feedback of over 250 stakeholders and in consideration of best practices, calls for improving the economic ecosystem with amenities that will support workforce retention and attraction. This space includes ideas that support those objectives.
Arizona-Mexico Commission provides support to YMVC's planned public outreach campaign
AMC, YMVC - Yuma Multiversity Campus Corporation (YMVC) has received support from the Arizona-Mexico Commission (AMC) to promote community engagement and participation in its strategic planning process. 
 
“We are pleased to support this bi-national, multi-state, impactful project to promote cross-border educational programs and initiatives among the numerous institutions of higher education in the region,” stated Jessica Pacheco, President of the AMC Board of Directors.
 
YMVC recently completed a 16-month strategic planning process with the goal of developing a regional plan for higher education and workforce development in the Greater Yuma Region.
The Greater Yuma Region is a four-state, bi-national area that includes Yuma County, AZ, Imperial County, CA, US, Mexicali, BN, and San Luis Rio Colorado, SO, MX.
Jessica Pacheco, AMC Chair
Russell McCloud, YMVC Chair
Updates From High-Tech Industry

As the result of data and best practices, YMVC has pivoted to become both an industry-faced and tech workforce development organization seeking to advance a regional pipeline of skilled talent to support both existing and future tech industry in the Greater Yuma Region. Find news here about high-tech industry success both in our region and beyond.
Phoenix breaks ground on 1.2 million square foot agri-food innovation center
Phoenix Business Journal - Over the years Phoenix may have redeveloped significant ag lands into other amenities, but they are not turning their backs entirely on food tech and innovation.

Last week, ground was broken on a development called Arizona Fresh: Agri-Food Innovation Center, the 1.2 million-square-foot facility will comprise a produce distribution center, year-round farmer's market, community park, new retail buildings and a business park for agricultural education and research facilities. It's expected to create 1,500 jobs.

The more than $200 million project will be built on 140 acres at the Del Rio former landfill site and former city park south of downtown Phoenix along Elwood Street between 7th and 16th streets. It's also located south of the Salt River and is the first development for Rio Reimagined, a plan pioneered by late U.S. Sen. John McCain to revitalize dozens of miles along the Salt and Gila Rivers.
News from Higher Education

Higher education Innovation is happening in our regional community colleges and universities. Non-profits such as YMVC seek to increase innovation to improve outcomes. Find news here--both regional and beyond.
Arizona high schools recognized for excellence; Basis charter leads pack
Phoenix Business Journal - Six Phoenix-metro schools are among the top 100 public high schools in America, according to the 2023 list of highest-ranked public schools from education data platform Niche.

The schools are all Basis charter schools, and they also take the top six spots on Niche’s Phoenix-area list and all but one of them topped off last year’s list as well. The Niche rankings are in their ninth year.

Leading off Arizona’s list were Basis schools in Scottsdale (No. 29 in the nation), Phoenix (No. 36), Peoria (No. 59), Mesa (No. 63), Chandler (No. 64), and Ahwatukee (No. 65).
Seven other Basis schools appeared among the top 25 public schools in the Valley, and the list was dominated by charter schools. In fact, only two institutions on the list — Arizona College Prep Erie Campus in Chandler and Mary C. O’Brien Elementary School in Casa Grande — were traditional public schools.
YMVC Board News
We are proud to have an engaged and active Board of Directors. To learn more about YMVC, please contact them or YMVC's President/CEO.
YMVC Directors among leaders participating in Magrino Industrial Park Phase 4 groundbreaking and offer appreciation to Arizona Community Foundation
San Luis - YMVC Directors, among other regional leaders, attended the Gary Magrino Industrial Park Phase 4 Groundbreaking Ceremony hosted by the Greater Yuma Port Authority (GYPA) last week.

This milestone represents excellent economic development opportunities within the Greater Yuma region. Achieving YMVC's region will support communities efforts to attract new industry.
Yuma - Last week, several YMVC Directors had an opportunity to break bread with representatives of the Arizona Community Foundation and ACF's Yuma Board of Advisors. It provided an opportunity to say thanks for foundational support to our mission, as well as an opportunity to celebrate ACF's President and CEO Steven Selzenow, who will be retiring next year.

Heartfelt thanks to ACF!
YMVC PREPARES TO ADVANCE TO
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION STAGE

Having received feedback and insight of over 250 area members of industry, education, elected officials, young professionals and other stakeholders, YMVC is preparing to present the results of the data-driven Strategic Plan Framework in public meetings and through multi-media outreach.
Do you know someone that would be interested in this bulletin? Please forward it to a friend!
Yuma Multiversity Campus Corp.
370 South Main Street
Yuma, Arizona 85364