Permian Strategic Partnership Director of Road Safety Deborah Richmond told the Eddy County Board of Commissioners that the industry-backed group has helped marshal more than $2 billion in collaborative investments since 2018 and is focusing on road safety, health care, education and workforce development. "My name is Deborah Richmond, and I'm here on behalf of the Permian strategic partnership," Richmond said during her presentation.

Richmond said PSP member companies have leveraged more than $200,000,000 in member contributions into "about $2,000,000,000 in collaborative investments" and described recent commitments the partnership has approved: a $10,000,000 investment for a Southeast New Mexico College trades and technology building and a $5,000,000 commitment for an Artesia career-and-technical-education center. She added PSP has funded nursing and residency initiatives and behavioral-health resources and is working on EMS assessments and a five‑year strategy with local emergency services.

Richmond emphasized road safety as a top priority and cited rising construction on corridors such as New Mexico 128 and work-zone risk. She said PSP recently gave New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs just over $1 million to expand a commercial driver’s license training program, covering equipment and scholarships. "Our funds will be used for new equipment, trucks, as well as scholarships for students to obtain their their CDL at, no or reduced charge," Richmond said.

Why it matters: county officials heard that private‑sector funds are being directed to local workforce pipelines, training infrastructure and emergency-response capacity, areas that county staff and first responders highlighted as priorities. Richmond offered PSP contact information and said the group can provide further details on potential local projects and first‑responder training in coming months.

No formal action was taken by the commission on the PSP presentation; the item was an informational update.