Yuma Receives Federal Grant to Explore New Ag-Tech Innovation Hub

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A major investment in agricultural innovation could soon help position Yuma as a global leader in ag-tech development.

The Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, in partnership with the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation and the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center, has received a $300,000 federal planning grant to study the creation of a new agricultural technology business incubator in Yuma.

The proposed incubator would provide startup companies with a dedicated space to build, test, and validate new agricultural technologies before bringing them to market.

Organizers say the project builds on Yuma’s reputation as one of the nation’s most important agricultural regions. During the winter months, the area produces nearly 90 percent of the country’s leafy greens.

Tanya Hodges, Executive Director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture, says the region currently lacks a dedicated space where emerging ag-tech companies can develop and test their ideas locally.

“There’s not a space for young startup companies to come in and work and test and get validated out of the ag center,” Hodges said. “The planning grant will do assessment to see if in fact there is a need, so potentially building some space at the Yuma Ag Center for AgTech companies to come and do business in Yuma.”

Leaders involved in the project say the long-term goal is to attract companies from around the world to test agricultural innovations in Yuma’s desert climate and eventually invest in the local economy.

If the planning phase proves successful, organizers say the partnership could pursue up to $3 million in additional funding to help bring the incubator project to life.