Economic development leader says Reno Air Races relocation will bring large tourism and workforce benefits

Mike Espiritu, president and CEO of the Roswell Chavez County Economic Development Corporation, briefed the school board about the community benefits tied to hosting the Reno Air Races in Roswell. Espiritu described the event as a major economic opportunity and said state funding and local partners are supporting the effort.

Espiritu told trustees the event includes a STEM day for young people and scholarship opportunities: “They have a STEM day and it's a full day. They'll bring well over, I believe, 10 to 12,000 young people to the event,” he said. He said organizers will award 20 scholarships annually for aviation pathways — five of those tied to the A&P program at Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell — and the remaining scholarships for private‑pilot pathways.

Espiritu also cited a prior economic estimate: “The economic impact to this region last year was over a hundred and fifty‑eight million dollars,” he said. He said the state has committed to funding $3 million in permanent grandstands that will seat about 10,000 people and that the races will be in Roswell under a three‑year contract, with hopes they could remain far longer.

Espiritu encouraged community volunteer involvement and said organizers will hold a public meeting Feb. 25 for people interested in volunteering or participating in vendor or sponsorship roles. For more information he gave a contact email and the Roswell Chavez County Economic Development Corporation office phone.

Those remarks were delivered as part of the meeting’s recognitions and community updates; no board action on event contracts occurred during the school board meeting.