YMVC Timeline
September 27
YMVC presented to Arizona-Mexico Commission; invites collaboration and requests support for Phase 3 outreach plan.
September 13
YMVC Chair presents update on YMVC project (including rebranding plans) at the UA Growing Our Own Symposium IV and invites the group to collaborate on Phase 3.
September 6
Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) announces YMVC grant to support public outreach for Phase 3 of the YMVC project.
September 1
YMVC President/CEO participates in 4FrontED Working Across Borders in the Megaregion conference..
August 31
YMVC President/CEO participates in Trilateral Workforce Conference.
August 19
YMVC Board announces election of Director Shelley Mellon.
August 18
YMVC Board announces election of Director Buna Georga.
August 11
EPA Brownfield Collaborative Committee pivots to focus investment on potential Innovation District/HUB sites.
July 19
YMVC Board Annual Meeting; Russell McCloud elected Chair, Paul Brierley Vice-Chair, Jerry Cabrera Treasurer, Jim Schuessler Secretary.
July 3
YMVC submits proposed work plan for Phase 3 to US Department of Education.
April 24
Brownfield Coalition Team meet with TWA Team.
YMVC President/CEO and TWA present findings at the UA Growing Our Own Symposium III.
April 19
YMVC unanimously approves the ten recommendations presented in the Strategic Plan Framework by TWA.
April 6
TWA presents findings and final recommendations to YMVC Board of Directors.
February 14
YMVC President/CEO presents project update to Arizona Commerce Authority in Phoenix.
January 11
TWA presents initial findings to YMVC Board of Directors.
November 10
YMVC President/CEO attends workshop in Mexicali, BC with Mexicali EDC and CETYS Universidad.
October 8
YMVC President/CEO makes presentation to University of Arizona regarding the YMVC project at the Old Main Building in Tucson.
September 9
The Wright Associates (TWA) begin surveys, focus groups, individual interviews for Phase 2. Over 250 individuals from Education, Industry, NexGen, Government, Non-profits, and Elected Officials are engaged.
August 12
EPA Collaborative brownfield grant with City of Yuma/Yuma County/Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area/YMVC initiatives.
August 11
YMVC and GYEDC host press conference, The Wright Associates is introduced
The Wright Associates hold workshop with YMVC Board of Directors
August 2
YMVC presents to Yuma County Board of Supervisors
July 28
YMVC presents on panel at GYEDC luncheon “Yuma’s Future Workforce”
July 21
YMVC presented to Mayor Sanchez, City of San Luis
YMVC presented to Amanda Aguirre, CEO for Regional Center for Border Health
June 22
YMVC and Wright begin work on Phase 2
June 21
YMVC negotiates agreement with Wright; agreement is executed
June 16
YMVC board adopts recommendation to hire The Wright Associates
June 12
YMVC CEO makes recommendation to executive committee
June 8
RFP Selection Advisory Committee conducts interviews of finalists
June 6
RFP Selection Advisory Committee meets to review proposals, narrows field of candidates to four
May 27
YMVC leads successful effort for $600,000 EPA grant in collaboration with City of Yuma, Yuma County, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area
May 26
YMVC presented to Yuma Sunrise Optimists Club
May 11
Phase 2 RFP published
RFP Selection Advisory Committee formed, consisting of Paul Brierley, UA Yuma Center for Desert Agriculture Excellence, Buna George, Greater Yuma Port Authority, Lourdes Gonzalez, Gowan Company; Douglas Nicholls, City of Yuma; Diane Poirot, YRMC; Amber Shek, GYEDC, and Jim Schuessler, YMVC.
May 10
YMVC and GYEDC participate in kickoff meeting with Economic Development Administration
May 5
YMVC board members and CEO participate in tour of Yuma Union High School District schools, led by YUHSD Superintendent GIna Thompson
May 4
YMVC announces joint effort with GYEDC and U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration for Phase 2; RFP to be published for third-party sourced Strategic Assessment, Market Analysis and Strategic Plan
April 22
YRMC announces grant to YMVC for Phase 2 of project
March 24
YMVC presented to San Luis City Council
March 1
YMVC presented to Vince Yanez, Executive Director of Helios Foundation
January 16
YMVC presented to Rich Nickel, Executive Director of College Success Arizona
January 6
YMVC submits final report on APS grant investment
December 18
The YMVC website goes live.
October 28
Yuma Sun reports on two-day Strategic Planning session including the focus on Downtown/Riverfront and Yuma Multiversity as strategic priorities.
October 27
City of Yuma City Council identifies Yuma Multiversity as a priority during Strategic Planning sessions.
October 26
Update on YMVC progress is presented to City of Yuma’s City Council during Strategic Planning sessions .
October 19
YMVC files application papers for 501(c)(3) status with Internal Revenue Service.
September
Bylaws, Conflict of Interest Policy adopted.
July
US Department of Commerce – Economic Development Administration (EDA) approves Western Arizona Economic Development District (WAEDD) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS); YMVC is identified within the Vital Projects Matrix.
June
YMVC Articles of Incorporation published and filed with State of Arizona.
May
YMVC’s Mission Statement adopted, Directors and Board Officers elected.
March
Yuma County plan also identifies “potential to develop programming and sites for business incubator, accelerators, and on-site housing.”
March
Yuma County adopts 5-year Economic Development Plan, cites “collaborating with the YMVC development project to determine the feasibility of a downtown campus that could increase local access to degrees”.
February
Phase I engagement of college & universities, primary employers, non-profits, and elected officials begins.
February
Working in coordination with Board of Advisors, scope and metrics clearly defined.
January
Yuma Multiversity announces hiring of President/CEO for YMVC, outlines scope and metrics for project.
October
Multiversity’s Board of Advisors announces nationwide search for President/CEO.
June
Board of advisors for Yuma Multiversity formed.
June
Mayor Nicholls announces ‘Multiversity’ that will serve as higher education hub for existing institutions of higher education and their various degree programs.
May
Mayor Nicholls announces initial grants to begin scoping work for Yuma Multiversity.
March
Four Borders Alliance recommits to adhere to March, 2017 MOU, and adds commitment to the establishment of exchange programs.
October
Brownfields site assessment released to EPA by YCNHA.
August
Adopted 2016 Implementation Strategy includes concept plan for combined Downtown Yuma University and Research Park.
August
City of Yuma adopts Old Town South Subarea plan as part of 2016 Implementation Strategy that identifies “two needs are higher workforce educational attainment and higher paying employment opportunities”.
August
AWC’s President, Dr. Daniel Corr, offers support for local higher ed concept, stating “members earning baccalaureate degrees or masters degrees is a good thing.”
March
Four Borders International Academic Alliance agrees to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of academic, scientific, technological, and cultural collaboration that includes Universities in Mexico and the United States.
March
Mayor Nicholls reports on brownfield study of 52 acre site in Old Town South in City of Yuma.
January
5-year brownfield site assessment submitted to United States Environmental Protection Agency by Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA).
September
City of Yuma, enters into multi-state and international Intergovernmental Agreement to support 4FrontED, with a goal, in part, to broaden educational exchange, collaborate with institutions of higher learning to target advanced degrees, and to spur innovation and entrepreneurism.
February
City of Yuma drafts Old Town South Revitalization Plan, which includes an assessment of potential brownfield sites and concept plans for redevelopment .
June
City of Yuma adopts 2012 General Plan, supporting “a comprehensive, long-range plan for guidance and further development of the City”.
August
City of Yuma adopts North End Development Plan that officially establishes Old Town South as part of potential redevelopment area.