H.R. 756 removed an outdated restriction that was claimed to be limiting economic growth for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Yavapai County
H.R. 756, the Embry-Riddle Tri-City Land Exchange Completion Act of 2019, has been passed by Congress and was signed into law March 12. According to press releases regarding the measure, it removed an outdated restriction that limited “economic growth for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Yavapai County.” It has added 16 acres to Embry-Riddle University.
It is unclear how much the additional property will translate into increased competition between the aeronautical program operated at the Prescott airport by Yavapai Community College and Embry-Riddle. Little is known about the Yavapai program and how well it has done since getting into difficulty with the Veterans Administration over a formula requiring at least 15% of students be non-vets. The Community College has reported it lost over $1 million in tuition revenue once that requirement was added.
Hopefully, the Governing Board and public will be provided an update about the Yavapai program and the implications, if any, of potential expansion by Embry-Riddle.