Residents urge county to invest in youth activities as economic development

Speakers during public comment urged Doña Ana County officials to create more activities and amenities for young people, arguing such investments would support the county’s economic development and residents’ quality of life.

One commenter said many young people feel there is “nothing to do” locally and called for new opportunities that would attract youth to stay and engage in the community. Another speaker framed spending on those initiatives as consistent with the county’s stated priorities, saying, “This is a good opportunity for us to put our money where our mouth is… We’re saying economic development and quality of life is a priority for our residents, so we’re doing just that.”

Comments appeared as general appeals during the meeting’s public comment period; no specific proposals, funding amounts, or formal motions were offered on the record. The transcript does not specify which county office or official, if any, was asked to follow up, nor does it identify concrete next steps or timelines.