Yuma, La Paz, Mohave Counties, AZ November 3, 1998 General
Smart Voter

Ecconomic Development

By Lawrence K "Larry" Nelson, Sr.

Candidate for State Senator; District 5

This information is provided by the candidate
Yuma's economy is made up of three parts. first and largest is the Agricultural industry. It is over 40% of the total economy of the area. The environmental problems that have been thrust on them in the past few years is causing major concern. Next and almost equal is the Military and tourism. The two bases, MCAS and YPG, are uder constant threat of being closed down by the (BRAC) process. Unemployment in Yuma is and has been the highest in the State for over sixteen years. New jobs are needed.
The agriculture industry has been under constant attack for the chemicals that they use to grow our food. In the winter months over 70% of the nations lettuce, broccli, and cauliflower comes from the Yuma area. It is important to note that in the past few years that our life expectancy has gone up some 10 years. There are those that say the chemicals being used to grow this food are dangerous to our health. This is an unfounded statement that has caused a great deal of concern in the industry. This is one of the most progressive industries in the country today in learning how to produce a more healthy and more nutritious crop. There are those that say they put too much dust in the air. I would point out to them that that dust has been here since the turn of the century, and we are still living longer. Our air is still more healthy than the big metropolitan areas by a large measure.

Our military bases, the Marine Corp Airstation (MCAS) and the Yuma Army Proving Ground (YPG) are a mainstay in our economy. To loose them would cause a great hardship on not only Yuma but the State as well. It is imperative that we protect MCAS by securing the ground around the base through trading for property of equal value to the private property owners and then lease the ground back for farming to prevent encroachment. Increased support must be given to the committees that have been formed to protect these bases.

Yuma needs new growth in the way of industry to reduce the continual high unemployment rate in the area. Special dispensation needs to be developed at the State level for rural high unemployment areas that will help to attract the much needed industries. My six years on the Board of the Yuma Ecconomic Development Corp. has given me the gackground to work with this in the State Senate.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 29, 1998 14:51
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