YMVC Timeline

2022
September 27

September 27

YMVC presented to Arizona-Mexico Commission; invites collaboration and requests support for Phase 3 outreach plan.

September 13

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

September 6

Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) announces YMVC grant to support public outreach for Phase 3 of the YMVC project.

September 1

September 1

YMVC President/CEO participates in 4FrontED Working Across Borders in the Megaregion conference..

August 31

August 31

YMVC President/CEO participates in Trilateral Workforce Conference.

August 19

August 19

YMVC Board announces election of Director Shelley Mellon.

August 18

August 18

YMVC Board announces election of Director Buna Georga.

August 11

August 11

EPA Brownfield Collaborative Committee pivots to focus investment on potential Innovation District/HUB sites.

July 19

July 19

YMVC Board Annual Meeting; Russell McCloud elected Chair, Paul Brierley Vice-Chair, Jerry Cabrera Treasurer, Jim Schuessler Secretary.

July 3

July 3

YMVC submits proposed work plan for Phase 3 to US Department of Education.

April 24

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

April 19

YMVC unanimously approves the ten recommendations presented in the Strategic Plan Framework by TWA.

April 6

April 6

TWA presents findings and final recommendations to YMVC Board of Directors.

February 14

February 14

YMVC President/CEO presents project update to Arizona Commerce Authority in Phoenix.

January 11

January 11

TWA presents initial findings to YMVC Board of Directors.

2021
November 10

November 10

YMVC President/CEO attends workshop in Mexicali, BC with Mexicali EDC and CETYS Universidad.

October 8

October 8

YMVC President/CEO makes presentation to University of Arizona regarding the YMVC project at the Old Main Building in Tucson.

September 7

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

August 12

EPA Collaborative brownfield grant with City of Yuma/Yuma County/Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area/YMVC initiatives.

August 11

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

August 2

YMVC presents to Yuma County Board of Supervisors

July 28

July 28

YMVC presents on panel at GYEDC luncheon “Yuma’s Future Workforce”

July 21

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

June 22

YMVC and Wright begin work on Phase 2

June 21

June 21

YMVC negotiates agreement with Wright; agreement is executed

June 16

June 16

YMVC board adopts recommendation to hire The Wright Associates

June 12

June 12

YMVC CEO makes recommendation to executive committee

June 8

June 8

RFP Selection Advisory Committee conducts interviews of finalists

June 1

June 6

RFP Selection Advisory Committee meets to review proposals, narrows field of candidates to four

May 27

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

May 26

YMVC presented to Yuma Sunrise Optimists Club

May 11

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

May 10

YMVC and GYEDC participate in kickoff meeting with Economic Development Administration

May 5

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

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

April 22

YRMC announces grant to YMVC for Phase 2 of project

March 24

March 24

YMVC presented to San Luis City Council

March 1

March 1

YMVC presented to Vince Yanez, Executive Director of Helios Foundation

January 16

January 16

YMVC presented to Rich Nickel, Executive Director of College Success Arizona

January 6

January 6

YMVC submits final report on APS grant investment

2020
December 18

December 18

The YMVC website goes live.

October 28

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

October 27

City of Yuma City Council identifies Yuma Multiversity as a priority during Strategic Planning sessions.

October 26

October 26

Update on YMVC progress is presented to City of Yuma’s City Council during Strategic Planning sessions .

October 19

October 19

YMVC files application papers for 501(c)(3) status with Internal Revenue Service.

September 1

September

Bylaws, Conflict of Interest Policy adopted.

July 1

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 1

June

YMVC Articles of Incorporation published and filed with State of Arizona.

May 1

May

YMVC’s Mission Statement adopted, Directors and Board Officers elected.

March 15

March

Yuma County plan also identifies “potential to develop programming and sites for business incubator, accelerators, and on-site housing.”

March 1

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 15

February

Phase I engagement of college & universities, primary employers, non-profits, and elected officials begins.

February 1

February

Working in coordination with Board of Advisors, scope and metrics clearly defined.

January 1

January

Yuma Multiversity announces hiring of President/CEO for YMVC, outlines scope and metrics for project.

2019
October 7

October

Multiversity’s Board of Advisors announces nationwide search for President/CEO.

June 15

June

Board of advisors for Yuma Multiversity formed.

June 1

June

Mayor Nicholls announces ‘Multiversity’ that will serve as higher education hub for existing institutions of higher education and their various degree programs.

May 1

May

Mayor Nicholls announces initial grants to begin scoping work for Yuma Multiversity.

March 1

March

Four Borders Alliance recommits to adhere to March, 2017 MOU, and adds commitment to the establishment of exchange programs.

2018
October 1

October

Brownfields site assessment released to EPA by YCNHA.

2017
August 31

August

Adopted 2016 Implementation Strategy includes concept plan for combined Downtown Yuma University and Research Park.

August 15

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 1

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 15

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 7

March

Mayor Nicholls reports on brownfield study of 52 acre site in Old Town South in City of Yuma.

January 1

January

5-year brownfield site assessment submitted to United States Environmental Protection Agency by Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA).

2016
September 1

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.

2014
February 1

February

City of Yuma drafts Old Town South Revitalization Plan, which includes an assessment of potential brownfield sites and concept plans for redevelopment .

2012
June 1

June

City of Yuma adopts 2012 General Plan, supporting “a comprehensive, long-range plan for guidance and further development of the City”.

1983
August 1

August

City of Yuma adopts North End Development Plan that officially establishes Old Town South as part of potential redevelopment area.