The Las Cruces City Council held a work session on August 11, 2025, focusing on community engagement and economic development updates. The meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by long-term residents at local animal shelters, as well as significant developments in the downtown area.

During the session, it was noted that despite a surge in pet adoptions, long-term residents at the shelter continue to struggle to find homes. The shelter will host an adoption event at Pet Co this weekend, encouraging community members to consider adopting these animals.

The council then shifted its attention to annual updates from economic development partners, starting with Selena Morales from the Economic Development Department. Morales emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing the city’s goals. Jeffrey Stewart from the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership (DLCP) provided an enthusiastic report on the revitalization efforts in the downtown area, which includes business support and community engagement initiatives.

Stewart shared that the downtown district is home to approximately 6,000 workers on any given weekday and highlighted the success of events like the Zombie Walk and Chili Drop, which have gained national recognition. He also discussed the importance of capital outlay funding, noting that DLCP has secured nearly $2.9 million since 2019, significantly benefiting the community.

The council discussed the need for improved data collection regarding businesses leaving the district and those moving in. Councilor Matisse suggested that understanding the reasons behind these changes could help the city better support local businesses. Stewart acknowledged the lack of a standardized process for gathering this information but expressed a commitment to improving data collection efforts.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the future of downtown Las Cruces, with Stewart announcing a rebranding of the organization to "Main Street Las Cruces" to align more closely with national standards. The council expressed a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant and economically thriving downtown, emphasizing the importance of mixed-use developments and community engagement in achieving these goals.