AZ: GYEDC Awarded EDA Grant for Smart Farm AgTech Incubator Feasibility Study

The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation (GYEDC), in partnership with the 
University of Arizona Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) and the
Yuma Agricultural Center (YAC), has been awarded a $300,000 Phase 1 planning grant from 
the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to conduct the Yuma Agricultural 
Center Smart Farm Incubator Feasibility Study.

The initiative will evaluate the feasibility of developing a next-generation Smart Farm and 
AgTech incubator at the University of Arizona Yuma Agricultural Center. The project will 
assess infrastructure requirements, market demand, operational models, and preliminary 
architectural concepts needed to support an agricultural innovation hub focused on 
precision agriculture, automation, data-driven farming technologies, and workforce 
development.

The proposed Smart Farm incubator is envisioned as a collaborative environment where 
researchers, entrepreneurs, AgTech startups, growers, and industry partners can develop, 
test, validate, and commercialize technologies in a real-world desert agriculture setting.

“This investment represents an important step toward building a more resilient, 
technology-driven agricultural economy,” said Greg LaVann, President and CEO of the 
Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation. “Through this grant, YCEDA, YAC, and 
GYEDC are helping to prepare the market to empower innovators, support the next 
generation of AgTech companies, and create workforce opportunities that align with the 
future needs of the agribusiness industry. The initiative will also promote greater water and 
resource efficiency while positioning our region for sustained economic growth, privatesector investment, and meaningful job creation.”

Over the next 12 months, project partners will conduct a comprehensive feasibility and 
planning process that includes stakeholder engagement, site and infrastructure analysis, 
environmental and sustainability assessments, conceptual design work, and 
operational/business planning. The study will also evaluate opportunities to integrate 
advanced technologies such as precision irrigation systems, renewable energy integration, broadband-enabled agricultural systems, automation, and climate-smart agricultural 
practices.

“This Phase 1 planning effort positions Yuma to further strengthen its role as a global leader 
in desert agriculture and agricultural innovation,” said Dr. Tanya Hodges, Executive Director 
of the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA). “By bringing together 
industry, university research, and economic development partners, we are creating a 
foundation for collaboration that can accelerate commercialization, support growers, and 
advance sustainable agricultural solutions for the future.”

The Smart Farm feasibility study will also explore the development of incubator and 
accelerator space for emerging AgTech companies, workforce training facilities, indoor 
labs, collaborative research areas, and demonstration sites that support both agricultural 
production and technology validation. “We are seeing a rapid rise in agricultural technology 
innovation, with increasing demand from companies and researchers seeking to develop 
and validate solutions in real-world production environments,” said Dr. Samuel Discua, 
Director of the UA Yuma Agricultural Center. “Establishing a dedicated innovation hub in 
Yuma would strengthen the region’s role as a national AgTech testbed, attracting and 
providing companies with the ability to accelerate validation, reduce time to market, and 
scale solutions in partnership with growers, while advancing economic competitiveness 
and addressing critical challenges in water, labor, and workforce development.”

Projected long-term outcomes of the initiative include increased agricultural innovation, 
support for emerging agribusinesses and AgTech startups, workforce development 
opportunities, enhanced water and resource efficiency, and regional economic growth 
through new investment and job creation.

An advisory committee comprised of industry leaders, researchers, educators, and 
community stakeholders will help guide the planning process. Pending successful 
completion of Phase 1, project partners anticipate pursuing future implementation funding 
opportunities, including potential Phase 2 EDA funding, to support development and 
construction of the Smart Farm incubator.