Members of the Gila Economic Development Alliance and representatives of area organizations and agencies continued hearing updates on what has happened and what is going on in the community at their meeting Friday morning.

Andrea Sauer of Healthy Kids, Healthy Community reported the group in September hosted a Farm-to-School event, which fed 1,800 students with local carrots and cucumbers.

The HKHC also brought in speaker and trainer Mark Winne to talk to the community about how to improve health food access. He took a tour of food sties in the Mimbres and in the Mining District.

Winne did a session with the Food Policy Council. "We're working on a local food policy plan to capture some of the food expenditures for local growers."

"In the works is a contract with Michael Patrick of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Extension Service at New Mexico State University to create business plans with local food producers," Sauer said. "We are helping Bayard with a comprehensive plan and with developing trails between Santa Clara and Bayard."

Earl Montoya, Silver City resident, said there have been big increases in food prices, especially in fruits and vegetables. He asked how to bring in local produce.

Sauer said she is seeing comparable prices at the farmers' markets to what is being brought in to the community.

Bonnie Zelinko of Workforce Connection said there are three offices in the state with a business liaison. Sammy Silva has taken the position in Silver City, and he is letting people know about what resources are available and asking them what they need.

Silva said he is trying to get businesses to use the business services site of Workforce Connection.

No representative was available from the local schools, but Arlene Schadel, Grant County Economic Development coordinator, said Charlotte McGaughey of the Silver School Board would begin to attend.

Julie Morales, Prospectors president and assistant to the Western New Mexico University president, said the university held a "great" inauguration of President Joseph Shepard and homecoming was well attended.

"Dr. Shepard is working on a reorganization of Student Affairs, bringing in Isaac Brundage," Morales reported. "Next he will work on a reorganization of academic affairs."

A tardeada was held in Bayard with more than 200 people attending. "Dr. Shepard is committed to developing a relationship with the Mining District," Morales said.

She commented on the recent charter bus fire that destroyed the football team's equipment and personal belongings. "The charter company's insurance will not cover personal items, but Dr. Shepard is still negotiating."

Kathie Gilbert, also representing WNMU, handed out a flyer on the leadership program, for which applications are being accepted until Dec. 13.

Montoya said feedback he has received about the inauguration event at the Flame "was the best event to build relationships in the community."

Cissy McAndrew reported that Julie Minicucci of the Silver City Arts and Cultural District would attend the Tourism Association of New Mexico meeting. "We are going to start up a Tourism Committee again and have a new tourism brochure."

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments director, reported a settlement of $13 million for the possible contamination of groundwater in Grant County.

The New Mexico Finance Authority will hold a New Markets Tax Credits workshop.

Sen. Howie Morales in 2010 sponsored a bill to take some severance tax bond money for colonias.

Lucero said the Colonias Trust Board through the New Mexico Finance Authority would hold a public meeting in Silver City on Nov. 30. She encouraged everyone to participate. She said the SWNMCOG would host a Colonias Board meeting Dec. 16 and asked for the Prospectors to be involved.

A brownfields workshop will be held Nov. 8 in Albuquerque. At least 10 brownfields can be found in Grant County, with additional ones in surrounding counties.

Lucy Whitmarsh, Silver City MainStreet Board president, said a planning meeting would be held Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. in the Silco Theater for the event of the 100^th anniversary of New Mexico Statehood on Jan. 6.

"We're also working on developing an entrepreneur workshop, to be funded by the Grant County Community Health Council's Community Enhancement Fund on Jan. 20-21 at the Silco Theater," Whitmarsh said. "We're continuously working on First Fridays to bring the community together downtown. The next is Friday, Nov. 4."

Operation Fort Bayard is considering creating, as a fundraiser, a calendar of old photos from the fort. Veterans from OFB will address the Interim Legislative Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on Nov. 10 in Santa Rosa.

Julie Morales, representing Prospectors, said the annual Legislative Forum would take place Dec. 1 at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center on the WNMU campus.

"I am really impressed with the synergy of groups in Silver City," Joe Martinez from Congressman Steve Pearce's office said. "I love the way you have gotten everyone together here."

He announced a job fair, hosted by Pearce, to take place Thursday, Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Grant County Business and Conference Center.

A table will be available for those who wish to hire, but are unable to attend.

"I'll be coming on a regular basis," Martinez said. "Pearce's focus is on veterans and will continue to be."

He announced office hours one day a month from noon to 3 p.m. The next is slated for Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Santa Fe Room of the Business and Conference Center.

Martinez said Pearce had introduced a new bill, requiring those who apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to have a drug screening that the person will have to pay for. If the person passes the screening, the state will reimburse for the test. If the person fails, he or she will be out of the system for varying lengths of time, depending on how many times the test is failed. "Pearce wants to take fraud out of assistance programs."

Lucero expressed concern about what happens to the children if their parents fail the tests.

Martinez said the child's grandparents, aunts or uncles or other responsible adults can apply on behalf of the child.

Tiffany Knauf, Grant County Community Health Council coordinator, pointed out that the community does not have a rehabilitation facility and the person is unlikely to go back for another drug test, thereby putting the children at risk.

Anthony Gutierrez, Grant County planner, said the county is in the last stages of a contract with an economic development consultant firm. "We would like for the consultant to be the featured speaker at next month's Roundtable, and then have a workshop immediately afterward. For four to five hours of the day, individuals or small groups can come speak to the consultant."

He said one of the consulting group's consultants has taught in the Small Business Development Center's annual business certification course.

"We will have money left over to assist the Green Jobs and Energy Task Force and the Southwest New Mexico Economic Development Partnership in planning," Gutierrez said. "We will also have some money for engineering plans. We want to apply for Community Block Development Grant funding, too, but have to update the county's Comprehensive Plan first. We will try to get money from the NMFA for planning and infrastructure project upgrades."

He said the economic development plan would be a plan with deliverables and action plans. "We're looking at a five-year timeline to make the county more competitive."

Montoya said banks are being challenged and suggested local banks be asked for their mission statements and how they address unemployment and poverty.

Sauer replied that credit unions do have outreach to the community. "I was at a conference in Houston on Sept. 18 and, yes, banks do have outreach."

The next Roundtable meeting is slated for 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in a room at the Business and Conference Center.