The Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) has announced Karime Hayer, business development coordinator for the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp. (GYEDC), as the winner of the 2017 AAED Ben Warren Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship, named in honor of Ben Warren who was one of AAED’s founding fathers, charter member and past president, provides full tuition for the Arizona Basic Economic Development Course.

According to the selection committee, Hayer was chosen this year because of the benefits her community will gain as a result of her participation in the course.  The Basic Economic Development Course will provide Hayer with the professional development necessary to further her skills and assist the GYEDC in research, business retention, social media development and bi-national relations with sister economic development organizations in Mexico.

AAED, founded in 1974, has a mission to serve as Arizona’s unified voice advocating for responsible economic development through an effective program of professional education, public policy, and collaboration.