Yuma experiencing economic success despite high unemployment

A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors ranked Yuma in the top 65% of all U.S. metro economies.

That’s nearly a 3% increase compared to last year.

Although unemployment in our city is higher than the rest of the state, Mayor Doug Nicholls is confident that if the city keeps this momentum of consistent economic growth going, there will be a demand for better-paying jobs.

He believes that’s the key to improving unemployment.

While 70% of Yuma’s economic mobility comes from agriculture, the city also has a robust defense industry.

As a binational region, the mayor said Yuma has a lot to offer on an international scale.

” That has really gained us a lot of attention. We’ve had a lot of meetings in the last year that reference [the binational aspect]. [International companies] recognize that we operate as a binational region, and they want to understand that better because they want to operate in that kind of environment. It provides a greater footprint, if you will, in the global economic competition. ”

Nicholls predicts future collaborations with high tech companies, that will be attracted to relocate to Yuma for the city’s binational access to hiring, diverse skill-sets, and education.

The mayor also mentioned the city’s sales tax has already exceeded projections.

There’s been almost a 4% increase from local retail sales.

Copyright 2018 KYMA