“Arizona and Sonora…our futures are tied to each other” ~ Janice K. Brewer, Governor of Arizona
Following two days of committee meetings on a variety of topics from both sides of the Arizona/Sonora border, the recent Arizona-Mexico Commission came to a close on the evening of Feb. 10th in Puerto Peñasco. Both Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and Sonora Governor Guillermo Padrés Elías led the Friday plenary session luncheon at Peñasco del Sol hotel, where reports and action plans from the various committee meetings were presented. In addition, local businessman Rodger Clifton was honored with the “Alvaro Obregón Tapia” Recognition Award and Governor Brewer presented the “Amigo” award. 
Earlier that day, the Governors together visited the coastal area near CetMar intended to be used as a public beach, and also met with delegates to discuss expanding border infrastructure as well as strategies on how to best promote tourism.
Among areas highlighted from the various committees were points regarding air quality control along the border, opening up educational opportunities for students from Arizona and Sonora, a Master Plan for Border entry areas along the AZ/Sonora border, coordination of real estate courses and certification symposiums, mining issues, aerospace opportunities, police training and information exchange, reducing teenage pregnancy, renewable energy plans to include solar possibilities, advancing trade corridors, and the promotion of medical tourism while taking steps to communicate the reality of this region in order to provide a better perspective of safety concerns and tourism opportunities across both states.
Tourism was a particularly important point addressed at the Arizona-Mexico Commission meeting, especially following the Feb. 8th travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department regarding parts of Mexico. Curiously, the alert was issued just as members of the Commission were headed to our beaches here in Rocky Point, though this did not hamper spirits nor hinder attendance. Governor Brewer explained that for her, Rocky Point for many years was a “home away from home” and the “new” Rocky Point is a great example of economic opportunities within the region given its improved development and beautiful beaches. She even exclaimed she should be the “ambassador for Sonora (and Rocky Point) in Arizona” in launching off similar comments made by former Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup during his visit to Rocky Point in May of last year.
Video courtesy of Puerto Peñasco Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV)