Power Struggle

In 2016, 28.1 percent of Ajo's population lived below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 14 percent.Mari Kaestle says she would have to choose between air conditioning or buying food if the Arizona Corporation Commission approves a proposed utility rate increase requested by the Ajo Improvement Company. "Not only will it affect me, but there are a lot of retired residents who live here on fixed incomes," says the 72-year-old retiree, who's lived in Ajo, Arizona for 11