Pictured are Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce Board Members William Knuttinen and Jack Herndon (Courtesy Photo)As many of you are aware, the observation area above the Chino Mine has been closed for some time now. Freeport-McMoRan had to close it due to safety issues with the new haul road that runs directly beside the old observation area. We’re proud that the company is concerned about the safety of not only their workers, but also the public. However, people really enjoyed the overlook so your Chamber of Commerce worked with Freeport-McMoRan to come up with a pretty nice alternative. In one of the lobbies of the Grant County Conference Center, there stands an 8 ft. x 10 ft. display with a beautiful picture of the Chino Mine pit. The picture was taken and donated from a drone by Roth Drone Service, LLC. in Silver City. You can stand in front of it and have a picture taken or take a selfie in front of the picture of the pit.
We received word late Tuesday afternoon, that Governor Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Bill 106 - legislation eliminating Exemption G of the State’s Lodgers’ Tax Statute. With the expanding popularity of private vacation rental websites like Airbnb and VRBO, Exemption G had effectively created a tax loop-hole that allowed many property owners to avoid collecting and paying Lodgers’ Tax on revenue generated by the short-term rental of these properties. The law will go into effect July 1, 2019.
We have ribbon cuttings coming up soon:
- Friday – February 8 at The Potala Palace: 808 North Bullard Street in Silver City at 2:00 p.m. The Potala Palace is a new business. The owner is Randy Salars. They will celebrate their Grand Opening this weekend on Friday and Saturday during Chocolate Fantasia.
- Monday – February 11 at the corner of College Avenue and B Street next to the WNMU marquee sign at 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the completion of the College Avenue Renovation Project. This was a great collaborative project between Western New Mexico University and the Town of Silver City to create an attractive gateway to the University. AND THEY DID! This is also Founders Day for WNMU…so Happy 126th Birthday to the WNMU Mustangs!
- Monday – February 11 about 30 minutes after the College Avenue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, we will cut a ribbon for another new business: Einstein Bros Bagels. This new bagel shop will be located on the WNMU campus. The grand opening will not actually take place until February 18…but since it is Founder’s Day…we will celebrate with bagels at Einstein Bros Bagel Shop. And yes, you will get to taste bagels.
- Friday – February 15 at Tapas Tree Grill: 619 North Bullard Street in Silver City. Tapas Tree Grill has a new location with plenty of indoor seating. You will want to experience the “global street food adventure”. The ribbon cutting will be held 10:30 a.m., right before they open for lunch. There will be a special entertainer for the opening that day, so be sure to plan to attend.
If you have questions, have comments, or simply need a telephone number… call the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce office located in the Grant County Conference Center. Our phone number is (575) 538-3785. Or check out our website here.