San Luis leaders have big plans for the future of one of Arizona’s fastest growing cities

San Luis, Arizona (KECY, KYMA) – 2020 US Census data San Luis was shown to be the third fastest growing city in Arizona by population.

Hundreds of millions of federal funds are now being poured into border cities to sustain growth.

Because if trends continue, San Luis will have 50,000 people by 2030, making the once small border town one of Yuma County’s main economic drivers.

San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel said he believes the city of San Luis is already nearing the 50,000 mark, so the results of the recent census have been disputed even among city leaders. chanting.

“I think they weren’t counted correctly because of Covid-19. It’s already around 40,000 to 45,000,” Riedel said.

Even if the census was undercounted, the official increase is staggering.

Since the beginning of this century, when only 15,000 people lived in São Luis, the population has nearly doubled every decade.

Cities are recession-proof.

“We are building about 400 homes a year and have been doing so since 2008 during the recession,” said assistant city manager Jenny Torres.

Mr. Torres has been involved in San Luis’ private and public sector since the 90’s.

She believes multiple factors have contributed to the growth of Southern counties.

“We’re on the border, and we have a lot of people moving in from California, and I think we’re getting a little bit of the growth in the Phoenix area,” Torres said. You can live in Arizona, close enough to Mexico or California. “

While being on the border is an advantage for San Luis’ economy, its proximity also poses safety concerns.

in the meantime San Luis, Arizona has a much lower crime rate The statewide average for crime, especially homicide, in the Mexican border city of San Luis Rio Colorado is at a record high.

The San Luis Police Department is trying to prevent spills across the border.

“We have the ability to work in conjunction with other agencies in the region, such as Customs and Border Protection and Border Protection, as well as other federal agencies that travel to and from our communities,” said Lt. Marco Santana.

Despite recent problems across the border, San Luis, Arizona continues its historic growth trajectory.

And Mayor Reydel has big goals for her city.

“Ten years from now, we will be close to the city of Yuma. San Luis today is like Yuma in the early 70s,” Riedel said.

With major infrastructure projects breaking ground at the port and planned on Boulevard César Chavez, San Luis continues its path as the new gateway to the southwestern desert.

“It’s like a baby. I see growth and the growing pains that come with it. But I also see the potential,” Torres said.