Clovis economic development staff reports on industrial prospects, incubator, retail openings and airport terminal timeline

Tina, a staff member who handles economic development work, gave the board a broad update on projects and programs aimed at business attraction and support in and around Clovis.

She said two long-standing industrial prospects remain under consideration for the industrial park — one in green energy and another that manufactures conduit — but neither has a firm timeline. "One is saying maybe in about a year," Tina said. She also said the authority recently signed a lease with a local company that will use part of the park for transload operations and that staff are updating marketing materials with a contracted firm.

On retail and small business activity, Tina reported several openings and near-term openings: 7 Brew is open; Ross is expected to open July 18; Lavender and Lily's is moving into the mall in July; and Whataburger is scheduled to open in mid-July. She said a quarterly business roundtable is planned to convene local merchants and stakeholders and noted a kickoff workshop and interim consultant for the business incubator. Tina said she has contracted Hatch Form consultant Sean O'Shea to run the incubator programming until a full-time manager is hired.

Tina also gave a status update on the community sound studio, saying construction continues and the hired audio engineer, Christina Borney, started full time this week; staff are "hoping August" for an opening. She described recent outreach events including the Clovis Music Festival and national conferences where staff sought investment leads and partnerships.

Financial and grant activity featured in the report. Justin, a staff member presenting financial figures earlier in the meeting, summarized year-to-date numbers: year-to-date revenue about $1.8 million, year-to-date expenditures about $234,000, and ending cash and investments of about $7.7 million. Justin said approximately $6.8 million is invested with $807,000 held as cash in banks; investment earnings added roughly $272,000 to the fund and banking interest about $2,000.

Tina outlined targeted grant work and proposals: an application for a $100,000 commercial-kitchen equipment grant in partnership with Clovis Community College, a $25,000 leads grant she has applied for (received in prior years), and a recertification process for the economic development organization that, if approved by the state, would bring an additional $40,000. She also said she sent a survey about a commercial kitchen to the base and its spouses and that the organization is planning a possible 12-week short-term business accelerator.

On site readiness and utilities, staff discussed the power demands large manufacturers can require. Tina said several recent project requests involved high-power needs; she relayed that Excel’s study process for new large loads typically takes about 12 to 18 months. A board member added that loads in excess of 1 megawatt must go through the Southwest Power Pool, which adds lead time and complexity.

Tina reported six PROs (project requests) from the New Mexico Partnership in the last quarter, mostly seeking interstate access or significant power. She said some prospects could not be accommodated because their timelines outpaced local power-availability upgrades.

On regional partnerships and workforce initiatives, Tina said she attended conferences and certified in entrepreneurship center management; she and partners are exploring a student pitch competition with local schools and possible scholarships or business mentorships tied to the incubator.

Board member Raymond Mondragon noted a recent Pattern Energy event and said Jeremy Turner of Pattern Energy will address the New Mexico Military Base Planning Commission on July 8 at Cannon Air Force Base about wind projects and compliance with House Bill 159 notification requirements.

In "good of the order" announcements, a board member said Plateau and broadband providers will host a congressional staffer tour starting in Clovis and visiting Cannon, Artesia and Albuquerque to illustrate rural broadband challenges. The board set a next meeting date for Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m.

No formal board action was taken on the updates beyond routine discussion and scheduling.