Community News

A new mural has been added to the Town of Silver City's art collection in the downtown/historical district. The latest creation is featured at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church property on its Kelly Street boundary.

This special artwork was inspired, created and painted by several parisioners. It features children from the local community who reflect many races, cultures and interests.

With many parishioners and guests in attendance, Father Oliver Obele formally dedicated this special mural on August 24. It can be seen at Kelly Street (between Bayard and Pinos Altos streets), directly south of the Sixth Street Elementary School playground.

2025 Prospectors Passign the Gavel Ceremony with Carlos Lucero (Past President) passing to Romeo Cruz (New President)On August 14, 2025, The Grant County Prospectors officially passed the gavel to the organization's new officers. This special ceremony highlights accomplishments by leaders from this past year and welcomes in the new team for the 2025-26 term. The new officers include: President - Romeo Cruz, Director of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce; 1st Vice President - Bart Roselli, Director of the Silver City Museum; 2nd Vice President, Priscilla Lucero, Southwest Council of Governments; Secretary - Misty Pugmire, Retired and Treasurer of Community Partnership for Children; and Treasurer - Vladimir Gnilozubov, Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisor.

Banquet group photoCopper Country Senior Olympics closed out their 2025 season with their Annual Awards Banquet August 8 at the Grant County Veterans' Convention Center. About 200 participants and guests were in attendance for dinner catered by Las Divas. Music, dancing, and comedy provided entertainment, and the keynote speaker was NM Lt. Gov. Howie Morales. Participants received medals and T-shirts.

We are excited to share with you all that we have been up to! Southwest New Mexico ACT exists to preserve, enhance, and sustain rural economic development initiatives and the creative economy in southwestern New Mexico. We spearhead community collaboration through cultural and historic preservation; sponsor and engage the region in arts and cultural events; inspire and promote outdoor recreation, education, and tourism initiatives.

Southwest New Mexico ACT

We would like to welcome Lucy Whitmarsh who has returned to swnmACT as our new Executive Director of out board of directors. Lucy is a member of the swnmACT founding Board of Directors from when swnmACT was incorporated in 2014. Also we'd like to welcome Cate Bradley who has joined the swnmACT team as a member of the board of directors. Meet the swnmACT team!: https://www.swnmact.org/aboutus

What We Are Up To Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Celebrates Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund with N.M. Leaders New Report Shows Legacy Fund Supporting 185 projects in All 33 N.M. Counties Silver City, N.M. On July 17, 2025 a coalition of New Mexico organizations released a report for the first fiscal year of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund - New Mexico's first state funding source for land and water conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation and wildlife species protection. The first year success was celebrated at an event at the Waterworks Site in Silver City on Thursday, July 17 with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, House Appropriations & Finance Chair Rep. Small (D-Las Cruces), and local leaders in Grant County. Learn More About the Legacy Fund: https://www.enchantmentfund.org/map

Five Points Initiative In 2019, a handful of community-minded visionaries birthed the Five Points initiative - a project that connects five Grant County communities by way of restoration of historic buildings and surrounding lands, and ultimately connecting these sites by a multi-modal trail. This project involves five distinctive historic properties located in proximity to U.S Highway 180 with significant potential to become the driving force behind community development and economic development; connecting and sharing heritage, cultures, and creative initiatives. This restoration project will serve as a visual and action-based means towards re-energizing our rural communities in Grant County. The intent of this initiative, beyond renovating physical structures, is to elevate and celebrate the pride of our complex culture and history, uniting and inspiring Grant County residents to work collaboratively and creatively towards a common goal, Juntos Podemos (Together We Can)! Current Five Points Sites across Grant County: The Historic Waterworks Site, Silver City The Whiskey Creek Zocalo, Arenas Valley The Bradley Hotel, Santa Clara The Union Hall, Bayard The Hurley Train Station, Hurley The development of each site is driven by local community history, cultures and people sharing stories, and is a collaborative effort between local municipalities, community members, businesses, non-profits, schools, and supporters. Learn more about Five Points: https://www.swnmact.org/five-points-project

Grant County CO.STARTERS Between 2020 and now, Grant County CO.STARTERS, under the administration and coordination of swnmACT, has hosted a total of FOURTEEN 10-week cohorts, equipped 107 program graduates, and celebrated the opening of 47 local businesses!!! Throughout this year, we have hosted a 10-week cohort in the Spring, a CO.STARTERS "Generator" program for local youth, another one 10-week cohort will be held in the Fall, AND a Grant County CO.STARTERS meet and greet hosted in the Main Street Plaza at the Makers Market on September 13th from 10 AM - 2 PM! If you have an idea for a business and are interested in entrepreneurship, the next CO.STARTERS Cohort will be from 10/7/2025 - 12/9/2025. SIGN UP TODAY to reserve your spot! Register Today! https://www.swnmact.org/co-starters Grant County CO.STARTERS is a collaborative effort between swnmACT, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, and Grant County.

Volunteer Opportunities https://www.swnmact.org/volunteer-index-impact Follow on Facebook and Instagram https://www.facebook.com/swnmact/ https://www.instagram.com/swnmact/

Gregg Hull and Christine Starr RPGC secretary By Frost McGahey

On Wednesday, August 6, the Grant County Republican Party held a Meet and Greet for gubernatorial candidate Gregg Hull at the Cross Point Church. He wanted to meet with the people of Grant County to introduce himself.

Hull was elected in 2014 to be mayor of Rio Rancho and then re-elected twice after that which makes him the city's longest serving mayor. He believes that his policies have made the city one of the safest and most successful in New Mexico, and they can be applied statewide.

People who work in Santa Fe now live in Rio Rancho because it's the safest city in NM. Hull has done that by a combination of increasing the police force and having zero tolerance for violent criminals. And that is with Albuquerque next to it.

 WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 12, 2025 – Federico Ramirez, Pharmacy Manager at the CVS Pharmacy located at 610 Silver Boulevard in Silver City, was awarded a 2025 National Paragon Award from CVS Health. The annual Paragon Awards recognize the best of the best among CVS Health's colleagues and are among the highest honors awarded by the company. 

Paragon Award recipients are chosen for their commitment to company values and for their dedication to fulfilling CVS Health's purpose: bringing our heart to every moment of your health. At the same time, they have demonstrated their ability to deliver outstanding business results, lead their teams to excellence, and make substantial contributions to the communities where they live and work. They are considered role models for the entire company. 

Photos Courtesy of Raul Turrieta

21st Annual Lew Huartson Senior Softball Tournament – August 8, 9, & 10, 2025

Silver City, NM – The 21st Annual Lew Huartson Senior Softball Tournament brought an exciting weekend of competition to Scott Park on August 8–10, 2025. Organized and led by Robert Ruiz and the dedicated players of the "70's Boomers" of Grant County, the event welcomed senior softball players ages 50 and over from across the Southwest.

Fine Art Museum Launches in Silver City

Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center begins its Capital Campaign this month with a video describing this cultural, educational, and entertaining cultural project. The video notification will be emailed to residents of Grant, Luna, Hidalgo, and Catron Counties who have already expressed an interest in bringing a fine art museum to our part of the state. It may also be seen on the SWRMA website, www.southwest-art-museum.org .

Southwest Regional Museum of Art and Art Center will bring a high level of historic and cultural significance through the means of visual art to southwest New Mexico and especially to Silver City. Its Mission it is to celebrate visual art, foster creativity, educate the public, and encourage community spirit. Plans are to collect, preserve, and exhibit a permanent collection of American fine art, host contemporary loaned exhibitions, hold an annual juried show, as well as have ancillary programs of an art film series, lectures, social activity, and creative classes. The art museum is a cultural asset that will provide inspiration and education through exhibits and programs for all ages. In addition, the Art Museum will become a strong tourist attraction that will increase the local economy.