The quartet of counties along the Mexican border — Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz and Yuma — has formed the Arizona Border Counties Coalition (ABCC) to provide a unified voice for the region regarding economic matters.
“Arizona’s four border counties are united by more than geography,” U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) said in a press release. “[They] share many of the same economic challenges and opportunities.”
The consortium first convened in March to set goals centered on improving efficiency at border entry points, supporting innovative technology, multiple transportation alternatives and business potential and partnering with compatible entities to promote trade and tourism with Mexico.
Additionally, ABCC members seek to enhance public awareness of United States-Mexico economic exchange opportunities, encourage initiatives to support quality of life in the immediate border area and lower border maintenance expenses in cooperation with U.S. authorities.
Leaders from each of the border counties also expressed their jurisdictions’ support of the endeavor, the release said. The member counties are represented by supervisors Sharon Bronson, Pima County; Patrick Call, Cochise County; Bruce Bracker, Santa Cruz County; and Marco “Tony” Reyes, Yuma County.
“I applaud the leaders of these counties for their willingness to find common ground and speak with a unified voice on the issues that have a direct impact on their residents’ quality of life,” McSally said.