As economic developers, we understand the importance of a strong, unified brand to showcase the region’s strengths not only to visitors but also to site selectors, businesses, and talent looking to relocate or expand.
The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC) plays a collaborative and supportive role in the Greater Yuma regional branding initiative run by Visit Yuma. As economic developers, we understand the importance of a strong, unified brand to showcase the region’s strengths not only to visitors but also to site selectors, businesses, and talent looking to relocate or expand.
GYEDC supports Visit Yuma’s leadership in the branding effort by providing expertise and resources to help ensure the brand reflects the diverse assets and opportunities of the Greater Yuma region. Additionally, GYEDC is prepared to contribute financially if needed, whether to support research, asset creation, or marketing materials that emerge from the branding process.
As a liaison to the business community, we will also assist with outreach, such as facilitating surveys and collecting feedback from industries and stakeholders to ensure the brand resonates with both the business sector and the broader community.
Ultimately, our role is to help ensure the regional brand serves both economic development and tourism goals, creating a cohesive identity that highlights the region’s strengths in sectors like advanced manufacturing, logistics, agriculture technology, aerospace and defense, and food processing.
GYEDC strongly believes that collaboration between key organizations is vital to the economic success of the Greater Yuma region. Each entity brings a unique perspective, audience, and expertise, and by working together, we can amplify our collective impact.
- With Visit Yuma, we align on promoting the region’s assets — from quality of life to business opportunities — ensuring our messaging is cohesive. We also actively support Visit Yuma’s branding efforts, share content across platforms, and work together on initiatives like the regional branding process.
- With the Chamber of Commerce, GYEDC collaborates on business outreach, community events, and investment announcements. We share information with the Chamber when businesses or investors we work with could benefit from Chamber programs or membership.
- With the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we act as a connector, referring entrepreneurs and small businesses to the SBDC for technical assistance, training, and resources. GYEDC’s focus is on attracting new industries and larger employers, but we fully recognize that a strong small business ecosystem supports economic diversification and regional resilience.
In short, GYEDC serves as a connector and collaborator, ensuring our region’s key economic and community development organizations work in harmony to maximize opportunities for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.
While the Tourism Improvement Area Bill funding will unlock new opportunities for branding efforts, GYEDC is not waiting to advance the visibility of the Greater Yuma region. In the interim, our strategy focuses on leveraging existing assets and strengthening partnerships to ensure the region is well-positioned when the formal branding campaign launches.
- The Greater Yuma Marketing Committee is a proactive step in this strategy. By bringing together marketing professionals from across the region — including partners like Visit Yuma, the AWC, and Onvida — we are already working to align messaging, share visual assets, and create cohesive campaigns that spotlight the region’s strengths.
- Content Development: GYEDC continues to produce high-quality video and visual content highlighting our target industries and quality of life, which will seamlessly feed into the regional branding once finalized. We recently launched the “Why Yuma” video series(which you can find on YouTube).
- Data-Driven Storytelling: We are actively gathering and sharing economic data, workforce information, and business success stories to promote the region’s competitive advantages to site selectors, industries, and talent.
- Supporting Visit Yuma: We are ready to assist Visit Yuma with planning, stakeholder outreach, and community engagement efforts in preparation for the larger branding rollout.
In short, GYEDC’s approach is forward-thinking — laying the groundwork today to ensure that when the funding is in place, the region is ready to launch a well-coordinated, impactful brand that reflects both our economic opportunities and our exceptional quality of life.
