Jobs now available at solar plant under construction

In some good news for Yuma's economy and its workforce, the Agua Caliente Solar Project being developed near Dateland is moving into the next phase of construction and will need several hundred more workers, reported Julie Engel, president and CEO of Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation.

Yuma Private Industry Council is assisting with the hiring and job seekers should call its One Stop Center at 329-0990.

Currently, the solar project has 150 workers onsite, 90 percent of them Arizona residents, Engel said. And of those Arizona residents, approximately 53 percent reside in Yuma County.

The Agua Caliente Solar Project, located on 2,400 acres of farmland in eastern Yuma County, will generate 290 megawatts of power slated for Southern California. It is scheduled for completion in 2013.

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In other good news, Yuma's newest industry, White Mountain Roofing Materials, expects to begin operations this week.

“Things have been going well with the city and they are scheduled to begin next week,” Engel said Thursday.

White Mountain recently moved to Yuma from Payson, where it began five years ago by owner Anthony Gallo. The company manufactures roofing products, producing a line of environmentally friendly asphalt shingles.

It has set up shop in a space rented from Underhill Transfer and will open with an initial workforce of about 24 people.

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Here's a little more on last week's mention that Yuma again has a Mitsubishi dealership.

Bill Alexander Automotive Center has obtained a dealer sales and service agreement from Mitusbishi Motors North America. The dealership will be located at 1350 E. 32nd St. (where the Mazda dealership also is located) and do business as Bill Alexander Flightline Mitsubishi. A grand opening will be held Friday.

With the agreement, Mitsubishi owners have a local dealer to provide their factory scheduled maintenance and warranty work, noted Ryan Hancock, president of Bill Alexander Automotive Center.

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Manpower has opened an office in Yuma at 350 W. 16th St., Suite 306, announced Judith Kelso, staffing specialist. The office can be reached at 782-8071.

Because of the economic downturn, Manpower had merged its Yuma office with the one in El Centro in early 2010. The company provides both temporary and permanent worker placement services.

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Acupuncture of Yuma would like to welcome two new massage therapists, announced clinic owner Elyse Tera.

Pamela Gassoway, LMT, has been practicing in Yuma for several years as a licensed massage therapist, teacher and Yoga instructor, and currently teaches massage, meditation and relaxation at Arizona Western College. She specializes in acupressure, deep tissue and Swedish massage.

Bekka Fulkerson, LMT, has been practicing in Yuma for more than five years, and specializes in Swedish massage and deep tissue as well as polarity therapy.

For an appointment, call 328-1975. Acupuncture of Yuma is located at 1150 W. 24th St., Suite E.

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A longtime business has closed its doors. After almost 52 years in business, Robert Ramirez closed Yuma Outlet, a western clothing store at 1404 S. 4th Ave., because of poor health.

Ramirez opened the store in 1959 at 299 S. Main St.

The family is looking for someone to buy either the business or the inventory. The space was rented. For more information, call Louie Ramirez at 329-6024 or 580-1573 after 10 a.m.

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After 26 years in the retail floral business and 10-1/2 years owning and operating A Bloom'n Florist, Ginger Robins has decided to close the business in favor of spending more time with her children, the youngest 15 months old.

The birthdays of all three of the children ironically fall on holidays and she is now looking forward to being able to spend those with her family.

Robins extends her appreciation to all her loyal customers over the years and she is happy that she was able to bring a bit of happiness into so many lives.

She had rented the property at 2630 S. 4th Ave.

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Yuma Asset Liquidators has opened its doors at 158 S. 5th Ave., where it provides easy buy, sell or trade of almost any product. It also offers estate liquidation service and rent-to-own. A layaway plan is available for purchases.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and can be reached at 503-9211.

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Yuma produce is the star of a video on You Tube just released by Arizona Farm Bureau.

The video, “Yuma Produce: From Field to Fork with Fill Your Plate” is the latest in a series on Arizona agriculture produced by the Arizona Farm Bureau. The video with local grower John Boelts highlights the field production, harvesting and water conservation associated with celery, broccoli and lettuce.

In addition, host Jan D'Atri prepares a yummy salad featuring lettuce from Yuma and other Arizona-grown products.

To watch the video, go to http://ow.ly/4iThE.

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Connie Dawley, a hair stylist since 1992, has joined the staff at Scilla's Hair Studio, 335 S. 2nd Ave. For an appointment, call 329-9464.

Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.