By Yuma Sun
The relocation of the Yuma County Fairgrounds continues to be a priority for Yuma County.
So much so that the Board of Supervisors agreed to include the issue on a list of federal priorities to be presented to Congressional officials this week.
While attending the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., some of the supervisors will meet with several members of Congress and/or their staff.
Before heading to the Capitol, the supervisors reviewed talking points they would consider with federal officials. Among the issues was a request for federal funding for the permanent relocation of the Yuma County Fairgrounds “to ensure Marine Corps Air Station-Yuma can continue to meet its operations and training objectives.”
Yuma County, Yuma County Fair Board, City of Yuma and MCAS-Yuma have long been exploring ways to move the fairgrounds away from the flight path of the aircraft that take off and land at the adjacent air base.
Both MCAS and the fairgrounds are considered valuable assets. While the Yuma County Fairgrounds is representative of the county’s youth education and agricultural legacy, the military installation has a direct economic impact on the region of $581 million, according to the 2021 MCAS Statistical Summary.