SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday issued the following statement after the New Mexico Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 462, bipartisan legislation establishing an Outdoor Recreation Division within the Economic Development Department, committing the state to an exciting growth industry.

“New Mexico has the greatest outdoor opportunities in the West,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “When we create a focused office to both attract new businesses and boost existing concerns, we will plant our flag alongside Colorado, Montana, Utah and others -- and indeed we have the potential to surpass them. With this targeted investment, we can and will attract more young adults who emphasize the outdoors in where they choose to live; we will provide important new opportunities to disadvantaged youth through the first-of-its-kind equity fund; and we will expand the economic reach of this industry to all corners of this state. Outdoor recreation simply makes sense for New Mexico.”

The Outdoor Recreation Division will recruit additional outdoor recreation businesses to the state, promote and market outdoor recreation opportunities in the state, assist communities in applying for funding opportunities for further development of outdoor recreation infrastructure, and work in partnership with Native nations, tribes and pueblos.