Clovis commission sends letter of support for proposed racino relocation; public comments both for and against
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Summary
The Clovis City Commission approved a letter to the New Mexico Racing Commission stating the city would facilitate annexation and infrastructure for a proposed racino relocation but would not provide financial incentives.
The Clovis City Commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the New Mexico Racing Commission indicating the city would treat a private applicant’s proposed racino relocation to Clovis like other commercial projects — by facilitating annexation, utilities and permitting — and affirming the city would not provide direct financial assistance.
Mayor Mike Morris explained the letter responds to a preliminary application by developer Paul Blanchard to relocate a racino license from Farmington to Clovis; the Racing Commission is scheduled to consider final approval in December. The draft letter says the city sees the proposal as an economic-investment opportunity and will provide municipal permitting and infrastructure coordination if requested, but will not offer financial incentives or subsidies.
Public comment at the meeting included several speakers opposing the idea on social and economic grounds and urging further study. Public commenter Mister Muse asked the commission to require an economic‑impact study and to assess local social harms such as problem gambling. Mary McAnala, a longtime resident, and Ray Sturo (who said he is running for District 4) expressed support for the proposal as a local entertainment option and argued the city should capture dollars that otherwise would go to online gambling or outside jurisdictions. Dr. Yancey asked whether the racino would be a “need or a want,” and Mayor Morris responded that the commission’s letter is not a final approval mechanism but a statement of how the city would treat the project administratively.
Commissioner Jones moved approval of the letter; Mayor Pro Tem Bridal seconded. The commission voted 8–0 in favor.
The letter’s key points, as summarized by staff, are: support for facilitating annexation and utility connections if requested; commitment to process permitting in an expeditious manner; and an explicit statement that the city will not provide financial incentives for the project. The developer’s preliminary presentation was heard by the Racing Commission in late October; the Racing Commission will make its final determination at a later meeting.
