At the monthly Gila Economic Development Alliance Roundtable meetings, representatives of organizations and agencies present reports on what they are doing, so that participants know what others in the community are doing and can partner with them if desired.
The stated purpose of the Grant County Roundtable on economic development is "to share on a monthly basis all ongoing economic development issues and projects for Grant County; and to unify as members of the roundtable all the Grant County entities for economic development by communicating, understanding and sharing information for a comprehensive county approach in creating and retaining jobs."
The first to make a report was Grant County Economic Development Coordinator Arlene Schadel.
"During the past month, I have answered several potential recruitment opportunities," Schadel said. "We still have some problems, because people are looking for buildings that are 20,000 square-feet or larger. I did find some residents who have land and are willing to build."
She said the economic development master plan, which has begun, would include infrastructure.
"Angelou Economics Inc. of Austin, Texas, is the consultant," Schadel said. "We will have a representative at the next roundtable on Dec. 16. We want an economic development plan that is an action plan, one that we can implement."
She reported a company had bought land on the Hidalgo County-Grant County line and is planning a solar farm, beginning first on the Grant County side, off Highway 90.
The Southwest New Mexico Partnership memorandum of understanding among the municipalities and counties in the four-county area of Catron, Hidalgo, Luna and Grant lacks only two signatures to show collaboration and cooperation among the entities on economic development.
"Yesterday evening at the Grant County Economic Development Coalition for Progress meeting, the members appointed me as the new film liaison," Schadel continued. "I have attended several conferences, which is helping me build relationships with funders and state agencies, so they return my phone calls."
She recently toured the "fabulous" La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery in the Mimbres. She suggested the area could become a home for vineyards.
Schadel also said a wind farm is up and running on the Hatch Highway, and a solar facility is planned on the same property.
Julie Morales, Prospectors president, said the Legislative Forum would take place Friday, Dec. 2, from about 8 a.m. to 4:30 or 5 p.m. at Western New Mexico University's Besse-Forward Global Resource Center Auditorium.
"Prospectors will select the top issues and put together a brochure for the session," Morales said. "January 26 is our day at the Legislature, when we try talk to the governor or lieutenant governor and cabinet secretaries. We hold a reception in the evening for legislators at La Fonda."
Cissy McAndrew of the Southwest New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce reported on behalf of Silver City MainStreet Project and said the Lighted Christmas Parade will take place Nov. 26 in downtown Silver City.
Emily Gojkovich of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments said she has attended several conferences and met recently in Grant County with a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency on the issue of brownfields in the area and what can be done for reclamation.
"The EPA has given us money for a feasibility study for use of the Hurley tailings as a solar facility site," Gojkovich said. "Money has also been received for Bayard and Gila Regional Medical Center to have an ambulance stationed in Bayard to be able to reach the mining district more quickly."
Kim Clark of the Board of Realtors reported that real estate is slow, prices are down and short sales and foreclosures are occurring, "although not as much as in other communities. There's a lot of property on the market. People want to buy, but they can't get financing. What once was a four-week closing is now more like a four-month closing. We have the lowest number of Realtors in 15 years."
As tourism representative, McAndrew said the area has not marketed itself in the past two years. "Hopefully, now that ads are out there, we will see an influx of people. We received the maximum $40,000 cooperative funds from the state for doing fulfillment. We are collaborating on advertising with the Tour of the Gila, Mimbres Region Arts Council and the Silver City Arts and Cultural District."
Morales, who is assistant to WNMU President Joe Shepard, announced Commencement would take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Fine Arts Center Theatre.
Kathie Gilbert also reported from WNMU, saying the university would be closed from Dec. 15 to Jan. 4. "The IT Department is moving, and we're kind of dependent on them."
The New Mexico Economic Development Course just finished in Mexicali, Mexico. "Five of us went to teach. We will offer an advanced economic development course in Tijuana, Mexico."
Gilbert announced Up with People would be visiting Silver City in February, and sponsors and families to host the students are being sought.
Feb. 10 will be Founder's Day at Western, and university staff is also working on the Jan. 6 Centennial celebration in Silver City.
The Small Business Development Center recently helped Little Caesar's in Deming open. SBDC staff members are also working with companies in Deming that want to expand, as well as helping a rancher purchase more cattle.
"The SBDC is a growing participant in the savings accounts for business people," Gilbert said. "From January through April, the Southwest New Mexico Leadership Program will take place once a month for two days. We encourage you to send folks to take the course. Their skills are transferable to business or community building. We are working to get college credit for it, even for high school students."
Charlotte McGaughey, Silver School Board member, said one of her two goals as a board member is to get vocational-technical training going. "Our first meeting was this week. How can we make it happen this time? I see we have interest in the community. Sen. Howie Morales told me to get it going while the state has no money, so when there is money, we'll be ready to go. We're looking regionally, and we're also looking at capturing seventh and eighth graders, so we can add reading and math to interesting vo-tech courses."
Sammy Silva of New Mexico Workforce Connections said his background is in career and technical education.
"I have found students are not coming out of high school or university ready for business. They have the general knowledge, but don't have the applied skills, except for those in apprentice programs," Silva said. "Intel and Albuquerque Transit began requiring Work Keys skills and scores. They found when the applicants had those skills, their retention sky-rocketed."
He said the Department of Workforce Solutions is cooperating with Monster.com on a new website: New Vision New Mexico, where job seekers can take Work Keys to make themselves more marketable.
"We can take the program to the schools and all seniors can take it," Silva said. "We're also finding throughout the state that there is a real shortage in maintenance and diesel mechanics, as well as millwrights. We want to get Western involved in research and development, and hopefully can make a vo-tech center."
In answer to a question about the recent Job Fair in Silver City, Silva said about 30 businesses participated and more than 300 job seekers attended. "I don't know how many jobs came out of it, but I know applications were taken."
County Commission Chairman Brett Kasten asked if there were any plans for a Job Fair in the spring. "This one was done so quickly that some didn't know it was happening or couldn't attend.
McAndrew reported on behalf of MRAC, and said the Folk Series continues tonight (Friday) and the Las Cruces Symphony will have a concert on Dec. 3.
Sam Costello of The Wellness Coalition said the Non-Profit Resources Center is open Wednesday mornings, with Nikki Zeuner.
"In youth development, we have 28 AmeriCorps members over seven counties," Castello said. "We will have more AmeriCorps members in January, and some Volunteers in Service to America in February. Did you know that youth unemployment is about twice that of the regular population? We're trying to help that."
He spoke about an upcoming expansion of independent development accounts to help individuals save $1,000 toward their business. When the money is saved and they complete training, it is matched with $4,000.
Castello pointed out that the SBDC is "fantastic" at helping individuals write business plans.
"We will resubmit a Collaborative Forest Resource Plan application to train forest thinners and develop small lumber facilities," Castello said. "Without certification for the thinners, the Workman's Compensation costs are 48 percent of their income. With certification, it drops to 24 percent."
The Youth Conservation Corps commissioners will meet in December to make decisions.
Castello said the recent AmeriCorps launch held in Silver City brought more than 245 participants from across the state.
"The impact was $16,000 spent at local hotels; $15,000 with local vendors, about $7,000 in local shopping," Castello said. "And including the 1,200 hours of service at $20 an hour is $24,000 or $10 an hour is $12,000. With the $38,000 spent in three days and the volunteer hours, that more than a $60,000 impact to the community."
McAndrew said although the town is down 20 percent in lodging and restaurant usage, the Silver City Co-op saw a 12 percent increase in sales last month. She also announced that the first woman licensed journeyman is working for Wentz Electric and will also open a green products store.
"I hear from the town that gross receipts tax revenue is up," McAndrew said.
Ben Sine, manager of Ace Hardware said the store would be expanding, because "we've seen steady growth this year."
The participants at the roundtable applauded Sine and commented on his store's great customer service.
Castello said The Wellness Coalition appreciates Ace Hardware, "because it will always help with product support."
Milagre Coates, an Aldo Leopold High School student, is serving as an intern with Silver City Mayor James Marshall, who had an idea for a youth Town Council. "I represent youth in the community," Coates said.
Kasten, representing local government, said Dispatch has been running "overfunded. It overspent by $150,000 last year. The reason I know is because when it goes over budget, the town and county have to split it. We got a bill."
To a question, Kasten said the construction of the new jail is a bit behind, but that was OK, because the county and GRMC were still hoping to work out having 24/7 registered nurse coverage for inmates.
"We won't transport inmates to the emergency room for a headache or bruise anymore," Kasten said.
He also announced two vacancies on the hospital board of trustees. "Although they are slated to be filled by physicians, the last time, no physicians applied, so if you're interested, go ahead and apply," Kasten said. "I love the idea of a vo-tech center."
Gojkovich asked if there were any plans for the old jail.
"Not at this time," Kasten said.
The next roundtable meeting will take place at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Grant County Business and Conference Center.