Greater Yuma Port Authority working on big changes to improve the border
Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Greater Yuma Port Authority (GYPA) is working on some big changes to boost border economy.
GYPA wants to make crossing the border faster, help trade grow, and expand trade opportunities.
Tony Reyes, Yuma County Supervisor District 4, said, “In reality all of Arizona, all of Yuma is impacted by trade, trade with Mexico, Mexico is one of our biggest trading partners, the impact of that trade is felt a lot more in San Luis, but it’s felt in all of Yuma County.”
At a public meeting they discussed multiple initiatives to the Board of Supervisors.
Those include a proposed truck by-pass route, upgraded port technology, and a plan to be financially independent from the government.
The port technology upgrade would cost $240,000 and wound be funded by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
It’s also the first time in years they have been able to waive member contributions.
We spoke to Tony Reyes on the importance of these updates.
“Economic development, it’s one of those, it’s not really impacted as much by immigration as it is by trade, and trade is what we are trying to emphasize, and that’s why the Greater Yuma Port Authority is doing right now, bringing out those issues that people don’t talk about, don’t care about,” said Reyes.
The Port Authority meets monthly and welcomes public input.