New study shows the economic impact Arizona Wester College has on La Paz and Yuma County

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - According to a study done by "Lightcast," In the 2023-24 fiscal year Arizona Western College added almost $319.2 million to the income of both La Paz and Yuma County.

"I'm very proud of the contributions we make to the communities we serve," said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr.

The same study also showed that about one out of every 23 jobs in both counties is supported by the activities of AWC and its students.

AWC says their goal is to help the surrounding communities.

"We want all the communities we serve to be thriving, we all want to live in thriving communities and a college is a big part of what is happening in Yuma and La Paz County," Dr. Corr says.

The study found that students who earn an associate degree from AWC can expect to earn over seven thousand dollars more in annual wages than someone with a high school diploma.

Local Yuma County Supervisor Tony Reyes says he is happy the college can convince local students to stay.

"It allows people to stay here that would leak out, they would go out and never really come back to the town and be contributing anything to our budget so in that respect I think having that community college here is really important," Reyes said.

AWC says they plan to continue to improve and help the community.

"Continuing to be great listeners to our partners, to our employees, to our students, and you know investing heavily in what the growing industry trends are in our region," said Lorraine Stofft, Exectuvie Director of the AWC Foundation and VP of Advancement.

The study also showed that AWC generates more tax revenue than it uses.