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Roosevelt County funds local economic development as RCCDC highlights growth, training and visitor prospects
Summary
Roosevelt County approved a $15,000 contract with the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation after the group's executive director described recent grants, training efforts, an $40,000 EDD award and a potential 2025 Gus Macker tournament that could draw thousands of visitors.
Jodi Diaz, executive director of the Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation, told the Roosevelt County Commission on Oct. 22 that the RCCDC has secured recent grant awards and expanded local services, and asked the commission to continue funding the group's work.
Diaz said the county previously provided $15,000 to support a façade-improvement grant program and that the RCCDC had helped obtain two LEDA grants for local businesses, naming Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative and Enchantment Vineyards. She said the RCCDC recently became a certified Economic Development Department, a designation she said only a small number of New Mexico departments hold, and that certification came with a $40,000 award that the group plans to use for operating needs.
"We have hosted tours for Cannon families, participated in hiring events and hosted QuickBooks training," Diaz said, describing outreach intended to recruit and retain businesses and support expansion within Roosevelt County. She also said a site visit had occurred for a possible Gus Macker tournament in June 2025, which she estimated could bring "4,000–5,000 visitors" over two days and generate hotel, food and fuel revenue for the community.
Commissioners voted to approve a $15,000 contract with the RCCDC for economic development services for the fiscal year. Commissioner Paul Grider moved to approve the contract; Commissioner Dennis Lopez seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
The RCCDC presentation also noted a local example of business expansion: Foote Family Meats has opened a reach-in freezer inside Creighton's Town & Country, an outlet Diaz said broadened the company's presence in the county. Commissioners thanked Diaz and discussed the need to monitor outcomes from the grants and visitor projections.
The commission also approved a separate Clean and Beautiful grant agreement with the state for $12,025.10; Special Programs Coordinator Carla Weems told the commission the project scope must be reduced because an expected private grant was not awarded. The commission approved the adjusted agreement.
The commission’s action directs county staff to execute the RCCDC contract and to report back on how the EDD award and recent grants are applied to local economic-development activities.
