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The economic base of the City of San Luis includes professional services, retail, agri-business and light industrial activities. This traditionally agricultural area continues to contribute significantly to the nation-wide market of consumables, particularly lettuce and cauliflower in the winter months and a variety of melons during the summertime. Residents and visitors enjoy access to professional services that run the gamut. The city's industrial base is expanding dramatically with the current amplification of the existing industrial park and the construction of a brand new park located at the new International Commercial Port of Entry in East San Luis.

Employment by Sector

Business and Financial Operations	240
Professional and Related Occupations	378
Service	646
Sales and Office	1,063
Farming, Fishing and Forestry	1,176
Construction, Extraction and Maintenance	592
Production, Transportation and Material Moving	1,128

Major employers in the city include:

Arizona State Prison (Government)	653
Gadsden Unified School District (Education)	448 FT / 228 PT
ACT Call Center (Professional Service)	700
Wal-Mart	270
City of San Luis (Government)	230

 

Growth Indicators:

Taxable Sales Revenue (millions):

1990:	$35.1
2000:	$65.3
2006:	$111.3
2007:	$111.5

Net Assessed Value of Taxable Sales (millions):

1990:	$4.8
2000:	$18.5
2006:	$39.2
2007:	$45.8

Retail Trade Sales Tax Revenue:

1990:	$486,482
2000:	$976,793
2006:	$1,459,862
2007:	$1,395,908
2008:	$1,846,699

Restaurant & Bar Sales Tax Revenue:

1990:	$59,952
2000:	$163,501
2006:	$208,974
2007:	$206,264
2008:	$235,140

Total City Tax Collections:

2005:	2,914,013
2006:	3,896,285
2007:	3,901,792
2008:	4,621,220

Border Commerce

The City of San Luis was originally founded in 1930 with the opening of the International Land Border Crossing. Today, the City's economy is inextricably linked with that of its Mexican sister city San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, located contiguous to San Luis, Arizona across the border.

In 2007, the San Luis I International Port of Entry processed 2,481,013 northbound private vehicles and 2,798,782 northbound pedestrians. In the commercial arena, 69,767 northbound and southbound trucks were processed through the port.

The border region between Yuma County, Arizona and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, is a thriving bi-national, bicultural and bilingual area, which is projected to double in size over the next decade. With the extensive and updated support infrastructure, the border region is the prime location for bi-national industrial development.

The Greater Yuma, AZ / San Luis R.C., Sonora Region includes:

500,000 population trade area

30 million consumers within 500 miles

19 current industrial parks

Over 3.5 million square feet of existing industrial building space

Located in NAFTA Corridor

US 95 is recognized as Congressional high priority corridor (CANAMEX)

Foreign Trade Zone #219 Opportunities

Brand-new transportation infrastructure for border commerce is under construction.

San Luis Port of Entry II

This new commercial super port is a simultaneous development on both sides of the border, located five miles east to one of Arizona's busiest border crossing and entry points for cars and pedestrians. It will be equipped with:

15 commercial processing lanes for inspection, enforcement and commercial loading and unloading

SENTRI fast lanes, CTPAT and other technologies to improve commercial truck and personal vehicle throughput

Traffic congestion reduction to serve the thriving Maquiladora industry more efficiently.

Total cost of project is estimated at $110 million.

Targeted completion date is 2009.

San Luis Port of Entry I

Following the completion of San Luis Port of Entry II, San Luis I on the U.S. side will undergo a renovation to its facilities and infrastructure to improve pedestrian and personal vehicle traffic processing.

Estimated cost of renovation = $4 million

Targeted completion date is 2012

Area Service Highway

The Area Service Highway (ASH) will be a four-lane, 23 mile controlled-access roadway that will directly connect Mexico and Interstate 8.

The expressway will be a major facilitator in international commercial trade and provide direct, un-congested access to Interstate 8 for truck traffic

Estimated date of completion is 2010.

Industrial Parks

San Luis will soon have two new industrial parks. To provide space for the growing industrial business in the area, the existing San Luis industrial park is undergoing expansion. Currently 64 acres, the parks Phase II space is already 100% reserved. Phase III is slated for development within the next two years and will add 40 additional acres to the park.

A brand-new 250 acre industrial park situated to the east of the City of San Luis will be constructed to provide manufacturing, warehouse and distribution facilities to companies utilizing the $110 million super Commercial Port of Entry currently under development. The Gary Magrino industrial park will be linked to Interstate 8 by the controlled-access Area Service Highway (ASH - 195).

Quality of Life

Southwestern Arizona is widely acclaimed for its natural amenities, climate, cultural diversity and unique recreational activities. Located on the Colorado River just 90 miles from the ocean, Yuma County embodies all these natural qualities which make it a great place to live and work. In all, more than 660 acres of parks, athletic complexes and trails are available in the region for public use.

Strong family values, culture, and low cost of living make San Luis one of the most enjoyable small cities in the country!

Agriculture

Agri-business is the major economic driver in Yuma County, contributing $1.3 billion dollars annually to the regional economy. From research & development to growing & harvesting to processing, packaging, and distribution, the agri-business industry cluster is fully developed and impacts nearly every other sector in the area.

As of 2002, there were 531 farms in Yuma County, producing on 231,125 acres of land.