News and Announcements

The Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate 2023 by the University of Arizona:

As mentioned by President Robbins, Paul Brierley, Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture and a board member of Elevate Southwest, has led the effort as the previous Executive Director of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture on this report. To read the report, please click on the link provided below:

Future_of_Agriculture_and_Food_Production_in_a_Drying_Climate_2023_Report.pdf (arizona.edu)

The report suggests many opportunities within our Yuma area. Elevate Southwest is at the forefront of fostering an innovation hub in Yuma County, aligning seamlessly with these proposals, including partnership expansion and fortifying collaboration.

»»»

MOU Signing Ceremony Between Universities and College:

On October 24, 2023, Douglas Nicholls and Jerry Cabrera, Elevate Southwest Chairman and President/CEO, respectively, along with other regional leaders, participated as honorary witnesses in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony between the Sonora State University (Universidad Estatal de Sonora), The University of Arizona – Yuma Campus, Northern Arizona University – Yuma Campus, Arizona State University – Yuma Campus, and Arizona Western College.

This partnership between the universities, the college, Elevate Southwest, and 4FrontED highlights the importance of collaboration in education, workforce development, STEM programs, agricultural technology, and binational business programs, among other areas. Arizona Western College hosted the event, which took place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Yuma, AZ.

MOU Signatories:

Dr. Armando Moreno Soto, President, Universidad Estatal de Sonora
Dr. Craig Wilson, University of Arizona, Vice Provost / Online, Distance and Continuing Education (ODCE), University of Arizona
Dr. Rasmus Lynnerup, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Alliances, Arizona State University
Dr. Yvonne M. Luna, Vice Provost for Academic and Workforce Alliances, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Daniel P. Corr, President, Arizona Western College

MOU Honorary Witnesses:

Douglas Nicholls, Mayor of Yuma
Martin Porchas, Chair of the Board of Supervisors, Yuma County
Gerardo Anaya, Mayor of Somerton
Sherry Cordova, Chairwoman, Cocopah Indian Tribe
Luis Cabrera, Vice-Mayor of San Luis
Cecilia McCollough, Vice-Mayor of Wellton
Dulce Valle, Consul of Mexico in Yuma
Jerry Cabrera, President/CEO, Elevate Southwest.

Alejandro Figueroa, Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs Director of Yuma County, was the event´s moderator. The executed MOU (Eng/Spa) is available at the link included below:

Memorandum of Understanding 2023

»»»

"Everything to Gain" Campaign by Education Forward Arizona:

In 2023, Education Forward Arizona launched #EverythingToGain, a statewide campaign focused on increasing awareness of the importance of postsecondary education for Arizonans.

96% of Arizonans believe all students should have access to a high-quality education regardless of their zip code. To read the full report, please click on the link provided below:

EFA-Public-Perceptions-Poll-Results-Data-Report-Jan-20241.pdf

The initiatives align perfectly with Elevate Southwest's mission to improve the quality of life and strengthen communities, making it an indispensable partner in Yuma County’s journey toward educational excellence and economic prosperity.

»»»

UofA - Yuma hosts Venture Valley game, increasing innovation and entrepreneur mindset in college and university students:

FORGE aims to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset everywhere the University of Arizona has a presence. On February 21^st, FORGE partnered with The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, University of Arizona Yuma, and the Southwest AG Summit at Arizona Western College to provide the opportunity for students to learn basic entrepreneurial skills and win cash through a Venture Valley Collegiate Cup Tournament. Venture Valley is a fast-paced mobile and PC business strategy game where players take on the role of an entrepreneur, pitting their business savvy against others.

Yuma Abuzz with Entrepreneurial Energy as FORGE and Singleton Foundation's Venture Valley Tournament Draws Enthusiastic Crowd | FORGE (arizona.edu)

»»»

Elevate Southwest Launches ¨The STEM Road¨ Podcast:

On March 7, 2024, Elevate Southwest launched ¨The STEM Road¨ podcast. Elevate Southwest strives to foster an advanced regional workforce that meets the needs of current and future employers through a regional process of collaboration and partnerships to elevate and advance post-secondary and higher education access and attainment in the Greater Yuma Region (Arizona, USA).

Host: Jerry Cabrera, Elevate Southwest President/CEO.

The podcast is available at the links below:

The STEM Road by Elevate Southwest (YouTube)

The STEM Road by Elevate Southwest (Spotify)

»»»

Flagstaff, Yuma rank among nation's 'hidden gems' for startups by The Business Journals:

Flagstaff was in the top five and Yuma in the top 40 on a new ranking of 100 startup cities across America that are off the beaten entrepreneurial track. Yuma, Arizona, ranked number 36 nationwide.

PWRJoule Launches New Website, Showcasing Upcoming High-Density Redox Batteries with Unmatched Potential

PWRJoule, a pioneer in energy storage innovation, announced the launch of its new website. The website offers a glimpse into the future of energy storage with its forthcoming high-density redux batteries. These revolutionary batteries are poised to deliver up to 3X the energy storage performance compared to other leading redox batteries, setting a new standard for efficiency and longevity.

PWRJoule's high-density redux batteries are currently in development, with promising concepts being proven. These batteries are designed to pack more energy into a smaller footprint, offering a compact and robust solution for a wide range of applications. From industrial energy storage to powering electric vehicles, these batteries promise longer-lasting power and superior performance.

"We are thrilled to unveil our new website and provide a preview of our groundbreaking high-density redox battery technology," said Frank Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer at PWRJoule.

Read more: PWRJoule Launches New Website

»»»

Spaceport Project talks continue by KYMA

The Yuma City Council received an update on the spaceport project, explaining where the port could be located and where they are in the process. The project has been in the works for the past couple of years. It is set to be located near the Arizona State Prison.

The port will focus more on satellite launches. The city is currently in the application process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"They want to make sure anything that we launch into space, that the safety cones that we’re not going to impact population centers, that all of that is addressed," said Jay Simonton, the Yuma City Administrator.

Yuma a finalist for $160 million federal grant to establish spaceport

Yuma could be the future home of a spaceport that would help companies launch satellites into space, while creating thousands of new jobs and generating billions in economic impact for Arizona

The City of Yuma — lead applicant for the Southwest Regional Aerospace Innovation Alliance — has been named a finalist in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program.

If selected as a recipient for NSF funding, the Southwest Regional Aerospace Innovation Alliance could receive up to $160 million over 10 years to establish a spaceport in Yuma, located in the southwest corner of the state near the Mexico border.

Governor Katie Hobbs Launches Arizona Space Commission and Announces Appointments

On February 14, 2025, Governor Katie Hobbs relaunched the Arizona Space Commission, appointing seven leaders from industry, science, and education to help spearhead its efforts. These Arizonans are poised to put Arizona at the forefront of space technology, create jobs, and help grow Arizona’s workforce in critical industries.

The Arizona Space Commission has been dormant for the past decade. Last year, the Governor signed HB2254 to revive the Commission and further promote and expand space, aeronautics, and aviation industry in Arizona. The Commission will identify potential projects that would advance Arizona’s position in the industry and plan and implement aerospace-related educational opportunities in Arizona. The Arizona Commerce Authority will support the work of the Commission, which is required to develop and publish a strategic plan every two years.

Governor Katie Hobbs appointed our Chairman and City of Yuma Mayor, Douglas Nicholls, to the newly launched Arizona Space Commission. This commission will advance Arizona’s leadership in space exploration, aerospace innovation, and economic development.

Logo Image

In This Section