Chamber takes Cruces to the capitol
Transcription
Chamber takes Cruces to the capitol
bottom line the '2%!4%2,!3#2 5#%3#(!-"%2/&#/--%2#%s!02),2 0 1 3 s777,!3#2 5#%3/2' #OMMERCIAL3PACE 5PDATE,UNCHEON Thursday, April 18 Las Cruces Convention Center 4!",%/&#/.4%.43 President and Chair Columns...............2 Legislative session recap ......................3 Governmental Affairs Issues .................4 Small Business of the Month ................5 Junior Leadership ..............................6 Leadership Las Cruces .................... 6-7 Business of the Month ........................8 Business After Hours ..........................9 Nonprofit of the Month .....................10 Agriculture Column ...........................10 Conquistadore Column ......................11 Ribbon Cuttings ................................12 New and Renewing Members ............13 Calendar and Statistics .......................14 Briefs ...............................................15 */).4(%#(!-"%2 #HAMBERDELEGATES3AVONNE'RIFlN%RIC-ONTGOMERY+EIL(OFFMANAND"ILL!LLENSPOKEWITHSEVERALMEMBERSOFFEDERALDELEGATIONDURINGTHEIRRECENT ADVOCACYTRIPTO7ASHINGTON$#INCLUDING2EP"EN2AY,UJÉNCENTER The Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce provides more than 50 events and programs each year to promote the growth of area businesses and the economic success of the region. Chamber takes Cruces to the capitol For the past 60 years, the Chamber has served as the largest and most active business advocacy organization in the Mesilla Valley. In 2010, the Chamber received a four-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for best practices amongst chambers of commerce. The focus of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce’s advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. in late March was sequestration and its impact on the local economy. The chamber team met with seven individuals from the Department of Defense (DoD) and five members of New Mexico’s federal delegation during the two-day trip, and the message was the same – cutbacks are here to stay – at least until the end of fiscal year 2013. From the DoD perspective, one area that remains a possible obstacle to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) test mission is the proposed Sun Zia transmission line. This line, which will run through New Mexico and Arizona and ultimately deliver power to Southern California, has been in the planning stages for a number of years. Its location, as it pertains to the proximity of the northern border of the range, has still not been determined. Several options have If you are interested in becoming a member of our growing organization, contact Vice President of Development Troy Tudor at 524-1968 or ttudor@lascruces.org. GREATER LAS CR UCES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3 - ! ) . 3 4 35)4% ,!3#25#%3.-88001 777,!3#25#%3/2' Financial status topic of many discussions been discussed, including one that would have it track through the range itself and one that would put it in the call-up area of the range. At issue is any location that would negatively affect testing, either in progress or testing being contemplated by the DoD based on new military intelligence. That brings the issue of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) into the discussion. Nothing has been decided, but 2015 and 2017 are frequently mentioned as possible years for a new round of BRACs. The majority, if not all, of the individuals the chamber team met with felt WSMR was probably safe from BRAC action due to its unique combination of size, restricted air space, current infrastructure and ability to meet clients’ testing needs. It was intimated that it would be very bad timing for any change, i.e. the Sun Zia Line, that could negatively impact the base’s capability. The chamber has been following the Sun Zia issue for a long time, and will do all it can to ensure nothing interferes with WSMR’s overall mission as implemented. Another impact of the sequestration cost savings could be on the frequency of Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) exercises. While these could be scaled down from twice annually to once a year, the DoD is deriving benefits from these tests and will involve more branches of the service to participate formally on a go-forward basis. Feedback on developing a regional stance on local bases, one that our three areas – Las Cruces, El Paso and Alamogordo – are already working on, was discussed. Further efforts on this subject are currently in the planning stages. On a similar advocacy trip to D.C. the week before the Las Cruces visit, the El Paso Chamber of Commerce delegation summarized a message from the capitol seemingly consistent with that of the Greater Chamber. Board Members Chair of the Board Leslie Cervantes Las Cruces Public Schools Chair Elect Mike Beckett COAS Books Past Chair Richard Haas Steve Newby Architects & Associates Treasurer Brandy Darden Century Bank Secretary Terra Van Winter New Mexico State University At-Large Member Kelly Duke MountainView Regional Medical Center Member Events Janet Green & Services New Mexico State University Governmental John Hummer, chair Affairs Steinborn & Associates Real Estate Military Affairs/ Savonne Griffin, chair Aerospace FirstLight Federal Credit Union Community Stella Shelley, chair Development Shelley Eye Center Board Members Marci Dickerson Dickerson’s Catering Rico Gonzales El Paso Electric Kiel Hoffman Pioneer Bank Margie Huerta Doña Ana Community College Jaki McCollum FIG Publications Phillip Rivera Memorial Medical Center Matt Rush New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Council of Stacie Christiano Conquistadores Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern New Mexico Legal Counsel John Darden Darden Law Firm Advisers Miguel Silva Las Cruces City Council Karen Perez Doña Ana County Commission Davin Lopez Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance Monte Marlin White Sands Missile Range Lend a hand Time is noticed O ne of my favorite quotes comes from philanthropist Michael Milken, who said, “There’s no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and working with the people who can make a difference. They get the benefit of your participation and you gain a direct understanding of the real problems and potential solutions, which makes you a more informed giver.” Getting involved in our community means getting involved in the lives of others and seeing the importance of giving back. Through the LESLIE CERVANTES Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, there are many opportunities to get involved and make a real difference in our community. The Conquistadores are the goodwill ambassadors for the chamber. You will see them at every ribbon cutting and most chamber events. The chamber needs support on a variety of committees and assistance with golf tournaments and other special events. Our most recent involvement was the Bataan Memorial Death March, a challenging 26.2-mile trek through the desert of White Sands Missile Range, conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. We had a great number of volunteers participate in this event. On Saturday, April 27, there are some great events you may want to consider participating in. The March of Dimes 5K walk, held at Young Park, is an event to raise funds and awareness about the issue of premature birth. That same day is Comcast Cares Day, this year held at Doña Ana Elementary School, in the community of Doña Ana, north of Las Cruces. Annually, more than 1,000 volunteers come together to beautify a school and celebrate as a community. We are all in this together to make our community better and to lend a helping hand where it is needed most. Business support is an important piece as partners and sponsors to the success of every event in this community we love and call home. Thank you for your participation and support. Chamber Staff Troy Tudor Vice President of Development Liz Banegas Office Manager Cyndi Armijo Billing & Database Assistant Jeanette Ambriz Administrative Assistant Alissa Levey Communications Coordinator I t seems that every other month, I get the chance to say thank you to an individual or group that has gone above and beyond in support of our efforts. This time, the thank you goes out to the group that traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of our advocacy efforts. Much like our annual board retreat, the participants took time from their busy schedules and paid their own way to be a part of the trip. You can read about the trip itself on page 1 – this column is really about BILL ALLEN the unselfish nature of chamber members who want to make a difference. This year’s team composed of Keith Beck ( Jacobs Technology), Bill Connor (El Paso Electric), Savonne Griffin (FirstLight Federal Credit Union), Kiel Hoffman (Pioneer Bank), Bruce Jackson (Virgin Galactic), Eric Montgomery (Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance), Ben Woods (New Mexico State University) and myself, spent four full days in support of our area. That is four days they could have spent with their families, but they chose to be a part of something that will provide a return for our community. When you look at the businesses these folks represent, you can see that their attendance is not based on any material benefit that they could derive from being there. The benefit is indirect – it is for our community. You are probably tired of reading about the impact that White Sands Missile Range has on our local economy, but the $2.3 million per day that the base contributes to Las Cruces is something to be preserved at any cost. That is the reason that the group traveled to D.C. – to help keep our community what it is. While we received good feedback on WSMR, it was couched in such a way that I was glad that we were there making our presence known. Please join me in thanking the people who continue to support Las Cruces. Bill Allen, President/CEO Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Leslie Cervantes, Chair of the Board Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Stan Rounds Las Cruces Public Schools Bill Allen President/CEO FROM THE PRESIDENT FROM THE CHAIR bottom line the Bulletin T H E L A S C R U C E S 2005 Las Cruces “Business of the Year” PUBLISHER Richard Coltharp PUBLISHERS EMERITI Jaki McCollum David E. McCollum EDITOR Rachel Christiansen DESIGN Rachel Courtney, manager Theresa Montoya Basaldua, art director Ramon Gonzalez Jessica Grady Steven Parra Rafael Torres ADVERTISING Claire Frohs Shellie McNabb Jorge Lopez Pam Rossi DISTRIBUTION Alyce Bales CONTRIBUTORS Stephen L. Wilmeth The Bottom Line, the official publication of the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, is a copyrighted publication that is designed, produced and distributed monthly by the Las Cruces Bulletin, 840 N. Telshor Blvd., Suite E, Las Cruces, NM 88011. Content of The Bottom Line is submitted and authorized by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce located at 505 S. Main St., Suite 134. Articles and columns in The Bottom Line may not reflect the opinions of the Las Cruces Bulletin. Inquiries regarding editorial content or advertising may be directed to the publisher at 575-524-8061. GREATER LAS CRUCES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 4.BJO4U4VJUFt-BT$SVDFT/.ttXXXMBTDSVDFTPSH Administrative Professionals Conference Wednesday, April 24, 2013 This full day conference offers participants various topics to help improve their professional skills. 8:30am-4:30pm Breakout sessions will include: Fee: $149 DACC Workforce Center 2345 E. Nevada Ave. 2 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE • Conflict Management • Introduction to Mediation • Quick Tips for Excel • Making PowerPoint Work for You • and much more! FOR INFO AND RESERVATIONS CONTACT CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PHONE: 575-527-7776 TO REGISTER: DACC.AUGUSOFT.NET CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROVIDED! LEGISLATIVE RECAP What the 60-day session yielded for the state Listed below is a recap of the actions at the recently completed 60day session in Santa Fe. The chamber supports Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela’s New Century Jobs Agenda and the majority of the items passed in the session were part of this initiative. t )# 'JMN 1SPEVDUJPO 5BY Credit Increase and decrease cerUBJODPSQPSBUFJODPNFUBYSBUFT )#XBTBOBNBMHBNBUJPO of several bills heard and passed in committee. Though this final bill passed late in the session, each piece of the larger bill was heard and debated throughout. The chamber is pleased that it passed both houses with overwhelming support. The bill includes: MBUFE FYDMVTJWF PG CFOFmUT PS Without a single sales factor, the employer’s share of payroll equally weighted corporate inUBYFT come apportionment formula creBUFE B EJTJODFOUJWF UP FYQBOTJPO t *ODSFBTFTXBHFSFRVJSFNFOUTGPS KPCT DSFBUFE BGUFS +VMZ JO /FX .FYJDP o JG B DPNQBOZ UP RVBMJGZ GPS UIF )8+5$ increases its operations in New these jobs must pay wages of .FYJDP JUT UBYFT JO /FX .FYJDP JG JO BO VSCBO BSFB would increase, even without the BOE UIPVTBOE JG JO B benefit of additional sales, creating SVSBM BSFB 1SFWJPVTMZ UIF SFa disincentive to growth. Therefore, quirements are that the jobs mSNTDPVMEMPXFSFYQPTVSFUP/FX QBZ BOE SF.FYJDP UBY CZ mSJOH XPSLFST BOE spectively. closing plants. phy days at a qualified producUJPOGBDJMJUZJO/FX.FYJDP This bill is applicable to diSFDU QSPEVDUJPO FYQFOEJUVSFT BOE QPTUQSPEVDUJPOFYQFOEJUVSFTNBEF POPSBGUFS"QSJMBOEUP principal photography on or after +BOVBSZ Hold harmless provision LEDA program serves as a closing fund in recruiting companies to the state by providing funding to local governments for infrastructure tied to direct job creation. Job Training Incentive Program ( JTIP) In the budget that was passed CZ UIF )PVTF BOE 4FOBUF million was appropriated for +5*1 +5*1 JT POF PG UIF TUBUFT best economic development tools GPS FYQBOTJPOT BOE SFDSVJUJOH *U JOWFTUTJO/FX.FYJDPXPSLFSTCZ offering companies financial support for the hiring and training of new employees. t )##VTJOFTT"UUSBDUJPOBOE 3FUFOUJPO1SPHSBN 4QPOTPSFE CZ 3FQ 1BUUZ -VOETUSPN %.D,JOMFZ BOE 4BO +VBO ɩF GVOEJOH GPS UIJT CJMM XBT NPWFE UP )# BOE UIF amount of funding increased from UPXIJDIXJMM be appropriated to the Economic Development program to attract and retain businesses and create KPCT UISPVHI UIF /FX .FYJDP 1BSUOFSTIJQ "MMPXTGPSBZFBSQIBTFPVU of the hold harmless distribution to municipalities and counties that High-wage tax credit Combined reporting offset the food and health care ɩF IJHIXBHF KPCT UBY DSFEJU for certain retailers QSBDUJUJPOFSNFEJDBM EFEVDUJPOT provides qualifying employers Requires combined reporting .VOJDJQBMJUJFT VOEFS XJUIBQFSDFOUUBYDSFEJUVQUP for retailers with more than 30,000 in population and counties with GPS FBDI FNQMPZFF XJUI square feet. MFTTUIBOJOQPQVMBUJPOBSF annual wages and benefits total&YFNQUT SFUBJMFST UIBU FYFNQU GSPN UIF IPME IBSNMFTT JOHNPSFUIBOJGJOBSVSBM FNQMPZ NPSF UIBO OPO phase out. area and more than $60,000 if in retail employees in the state from The fiscal impact to the state Corporate income an urban area. combined reporting. of the hold harmless payments Specific definitions of wages tax reduction ɩF 5BYBUJPO BOE 3FWFOVF CBMMPPOFEGSPNNJMMJPOXIFO Lowers the corporate income and benefits were also provided. Department’s estimate assumes FOBDUFEUPNPSFUIBONJMMJPO Also, amends the provisions that mandatory combined re- this year. UBY$*5 SBUFGSPNUPQFSHPWFSOJOH UIF IJHIXBHF KPCT UBY porting would increase corporate cent over five years. The bill gives local governments New Mexico /FX.FYJDPTQSFWJPVTUPQDPS- credit to tighten a host of high JODPNF UBY SFWFOVFT CFGPSF DSFE- UIF NBYJNVN nFYJCJMJUZ QPTTJCMF MainStreet QPSBUFJODPNFUBYSBUFPGQFS- XBHFUBYDSFEJUEFmOJUJPOTBOEUP JUT CFUXFFO mWF BOE QFSDFOU so that they may continue to allow /FX .FYJDP .BJO4USFFU cent was high compared with the FYUFOE UIF TVOTFU UP UIF FOE PG for the unitary corporations that the deductions for the retail sale of SFDFJWFE B UPUBM PG NJMMJPO OBUJPOBMBWFSBHFPGQFSDFOU#Z FY20. The most important chang- have a retail facility of over 30,000 food and health care. GSPNBTQFDJBMBQQSPQSJBSFEVDJOH UIF $*5 UP QFSDFOU es to the law are: square feet. UJPO )# BOE GSPN New century economy 4#JOUIF /FX.FYJDPXJMMCFCFMPXUIFOB- t 3FRVJSFTUBYQBZFSTUPBQQMZGPS $BQJUBM 0VUMBZ CJMM the credit within one year of TV production tional average and more competirelated bills MainStreet works throughout the the end of the calendar year in incentive tive with our regional neighbors. t 4#oTQBDFnJHIUJOGPSNFE state to create an economically XIJDIUIFUBYQBZFSTmOBMRVBMɩF /FX .FYJDP 5BY Allows for an additional five consent feasible business environment ifying period closes. Currently, 3FTFBSDI *OTUJUVUF /.53* percent film credit for direct proThe bill, sponsored by Senate through the preservation of histhere is no limitation. noted a reduction in the top EVDUJPOFYQFOEJUVSFT 1SFTJEFOU1SP5FNQPSF.BSZ,BZ torical and cultural locations. corporate rate would make New t 1SPWJEFT FMJHJCMF KPCT DBOOPU t 0O TFSJFT UFMFWJTJPO QSPEVD- 1BQFO%%P×B"OB HJWFTMJBCJM- t 4# 'SPOUJFS $PNNVOJUJFT be recycled through mergers or .FYJDPNPSFBQQFBMJOHUPCVTJOFTT tions intended for commercial ity protection to spacecraft manu1SPHSBN acquisitions. investment. distribution with a budget per facturers and suppliers. The new t -JNJUT FMJHJCMF FNQMPZFST UP FQJTPEFPG law will make Spaceport America Other economicthose certified by the Economic Single sales factor t ɩBU BSF BUUSJCVUBCMF UP XBHFT more competitive with the other development Development Department Enacts a single sales factor for and fringe benefits paid to a TUBUFTUIBUIBWFBMSFBEZQBTTFE to be eligible for job training related bills all manufacturers without an in/FX.FYJDBOSFTJEFOUEJSFDUMZ informed consent legislation. program assistance, commonly )#$BQJUBM0VUMBZ1SPKFDU vestment threshold, by which inemployed in an industry crew t )# (FOFSBM "QQSPQSJBUJPOT LOPXOBT+5*1 $POUSJCVUJPO-&%"$MBXCBDLT come is apportioned only on the QPTJUJPO FYDMVEJOH B QFSGPSNAct Sponsored by Rep. Jason C. percentage of sales made in the t &MJHJCMF FNQMPZFST NVTU BMTP JOH BSUJTU o XJUI B UPUBM CVEIBWF NBEF NPSF UIBO QFS)BSQFS 34BOEPWBM LOPXO BT B state. This formula does not punish get of at least $30 million that Local Economic cent of its sales of goods and clawback provision, requires the firms for investing or employing TIPPUT BU MFBTU QSJODJQBM Development Act services produced in New recipient of public support for loworkers within the state. photography days at a quali- Funding (LEDA) .FYJDPUPQFSTPOTPVUTJEF/FX cal economic development projɩJT XJMM NBLF /FX .FYJDP fied production facility in New .FYJDP EVSJOH UIF BQQMJDBCMF In the budget that was passed by ects to provide security to the govNPSF DPNQFUJUJWF XJUI UIF .FYJDP qualifying period. UIF)PVTFBOE4FOBUFNJMMJPO ernmental entity providing public other states that have enacted a t NJMMJPOPSNPSFUIBUTIPPUT t $MBSJmFT UIBU XBHFT BSF DBMDVwas appropriated for LEDA. The support to the project. single sales factor. BUMFBTUQSJODJQBMQIPUPHSB- THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 3 Business organizations take a stance Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce keeps community informed of pro-jobs legislation As part of the growing commitment to governmental affairs and issue advocacy, the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce (GLCCC) publishes a Governmental Affairs Positions page. The Chamber is working to ensure the Mesilla Valley is a pro-jobs environment and will help identify pro-jobs elected officials that are assisting in that goal. Each month, this page will contain the Chamber’s pro-jobs scorecard for elected officials with voting information on ordinances at the city and county level. This monthly page will also highlight positions taken by the Chamber as well as the Association of Commerce & Industry (ACI) – which serves as the state chamber of commerce – and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. ACI takes positions of importance to the statewide business community, while the U.S. Chamber addresses national business issues, and, often, the GLCCC takes similar positions. However, GLCCC positions must be specifically authorized by the Chamber Board of Directors. The U.S. Chamber’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness (CCMC) works toward advancing America’s global leadership in capital formation by supporting capital markets that are fair, efficient and innovative. U.S. Chamber of Commerce positions Saturday, March 23, marked the third anniversary of the passage of the health reform law, and consumers and businesses – especially small businesses – are still uncertain and skeptical about how the law will affect them. Without knowing what taxes, fines, fees and rules they’ll be subjected to, and without understanding how to comply with the hundreds of pages of regulations – many that have yet to be finalized – it’s hard for business owners to plan. As we know, the law’s priority was to expand health care coverage to more people and to cover an extensive litany of services. Ironically, in order to pay for this massive coverage expansion, the law assesses taxes and fees at nearly every opportunity which perversely will make access to affordable coverage more elusive. While many of these taxes may sound like industry taxes, the truth is they will all be borne by consumers one way or the other. Perhaps the most expensive of all of these fees – the Health Insurance Tax – will cost consumers more than $100 billion in the next 10 years. This surcharge will drive up the cost of health care for families and undermine the very goal of expanding access to coverage. In addition, the law mandates businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to offer health coverage or potentially pay steep penalties. This requirement is not only unlikely to achieve the objective of forcing all employers to provide federally prescribed coverage, but instead will have the opposite effect by forcing many employers to drop coverage, lay workers off and stop expanding their business. While these and other uncertainties remain, one thing is certain – outright repeal of the entire law is not a realistic option. However, efforts to mitigate the harm to business and alleviate the burdens and mandates continue, as legislation has been introduced in Congress to address these two key provisions. First, the “American Job Protect Act,” is legislation to repeal the employer mandate, and secondly, the “Jobs and Premium Protection Act” which would repeal the increased tax on insurance providers. For more information on these issues, educational resources, talking points, communications tools and to understand how the law will affect your business, visit http:// www.uschamber.com/issues/healthcare-toolkit. City of Las Cruces Noise Ordinance City of Las Cruces One Stop Shop Concept Commissioner Duarte-Benavidez D D Commissioner Scott Krahling City of Las Cruces Minimum Wage Increase Resolution - Commissioner Karen Perez CLC/DAC Support Annual Funding for MVEDA Doña Ana County Noise Ordinance City of Las Cruces Security Alarm Ordinance Commissioner Dolores Saldana-Caviness Resolution for Expanded Informed Consent Legislation Commissioner Billy Garrett City of Las Cruces Impact Fees (public safety) Mayor Pro-Tem Sharon Thomas City of Las Cruces Delay of Impact Fees (parks) Councillor Gil Sorg City of Las Cruces Delay of Impact Fees (roads, drainage) Councillor Nathan Small Resolution for Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument Councillor Olga Pedroza City of Las Cruces Night Sky Lighting Ordinance D D D C C D C C Councillor Greg Smith City of Las Cruces Dust Ordinance Councillor Miguel Silva The Chamber is working to ensure the Mesilla Valley is a pro-jobs environment and will help identify pro-jobs elected officials that are assisting in that goal. Each month, this page will contain the Chamber’s Pro-jobs scorecard for elected officials with voting information on ordinances at the city and county level. Mayor Ken Miyagishima Discussion Item Pro-Jobs Pro-jobs scorecard for City of Las Cruces & Doña Ana County elected officials Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y N NA Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - - - - - Y Y Y NA Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y - Y Y - Y Y - Y Y - N N Y Y Y Y Y Vote estimated for Spring 2013 C Vote estimated for Spring 2013 Y: Yea vote, N: Nay vote, NA: Abstained from vote or not present, -: Vote not held Note: All future ordinances and resolutions will be reviewed by an independent economist to determine the impact on jobs in the community. 4 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2013 Amaro Winery ‘Cheers’ meets contemporary wine bar 402 S. MELENDRES ST. R 527-5310 R WWW.AMAROWINERYNM.COM By Rachel Christiansen Trendy, colorful, chic – not the typical words used to describe a centuries-old industry of the Mesilla Valley. Yet that’s the atmosphere that greets you when walking into Amaro Winery, an inviting place for the modern-day wine drinker. But according to co-owner Kelly Allen, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never had a sip of wine in your life, or are a connoisseur – you can be comfortable in your own skin at the tasting room. “We are not wine snobs,” Allen said. “It’s very comfortable, and that’s what we want it to be. “Our goal, when we opened, was to have a place that enhances the education, the knowledge and the experience of New Mexico wines.” Under the direction of co-owner Benjamin Maier, who has cultivated the finest grapes in the area for the past 15 years, the two families merged in 2009 to open their “dream business.” “We wanted to set ourselves outside the box and be urban,” Allen said. Although located in the middle of town at 402 S. Melendres St., all of Amaro’s wine is produced and bottled on site. “People will come in and ask, ‘How do I taste this?’ or ‘What does this go with?’” Allen said. “I just say you can taste it how you want and you can drink it with what you want.” For those who want the “expert’s advice,” however, Allen said they’re willing to dish that out as well. The Allens and the Maiers poured their hearts into the business’ opening, turning the location of what was once a dilapidated lumber company into the bright and comfortable wine bar it is today. Family friends for many years, Allen’s experience in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism 5PCOMINGEVENTSAT !MARO7INERY s PM&RIDAY!PRIL!RTOPENING OF-ICHAEL4OWNSEND s PM&RIDAY!PRIL,IVEMUSIC FEATURING4RAVIS-ANNING s TOPM3ATURDAY!PRILWINE ANDCHEESEPAIRING s PM4HURSDAYS+ARAOKE s PM&RIDAY!PRIL,IVEMUSIC FEATURING4IFFANY#HRISTOPHER s PM&RIDAY!PRIL,IVEMUSIC FEATURING!NSWERSTO3ADIE s 3ATURDAY!PRIL-ALBECRELEASING PARTYCOMPLIMENTARYSAMPLESALLDAY ,IVEMUSICFROMTOPMFEATURING "ROKE#ELLOS s PM4HURSDAY!PRIL3AFE (AVEN!NIMAL3ANCTUARYFUNDRAISER PERPERSONPERCOUPLE #OMPLEMENTARYGLASSESOFWINEAND LIVEMUSICFEATURING4UCO*OHN s PM&RIDAY!PRIL,IVEMUSIC FEATURING!LMAY,A4IERRA-UERTA s TOPM3ATURDAY!PRIL -EETTHEWINEMAKERWITH"ENJAMIN -AIER Amaro tasting and sales operation manager Kaleen Lackey pours customer Roger Sellers a glass of Zinfandel on Thursday, March 28. Management (HRTM) paired with Maier’s expertise in winemaking, Allen said the fit was a natural one to turn what was both of their father’s dream into a reality. With the delicate economy in mind, as well as emphasizing green building, they created the interior and exterior environment by using recycled and repurposed materials. “The floors are original, the doors are all from Habitat for Humanity … some of the furniture came from either my house or my grandmother’s house,” Allen said. The feel of the tasting room, however, is one of sheer modernity – simple, efficient designs featuring bright purple and red walls accent the feeling that you’ve left traditional Las Cruces. Sip on a glass while sitting on the winery’s patio to enjoy the mild weather and fruits of the earth, and you’ll remember exactly where you are. A fair amount of local flare can be found within the business as well, as Allen said they are all about embracing the local community through displaying the works of local artists. Art and jewelry from the community surround the bottles of Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Malvasia Bianca, Cruces Sunrise, Amour, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Zinfandel and dessert wines on the shelves to take home and enjoy. The tasting room often hosts live music, wine and cheese pairings, special events, release parties and other cultural events. You never know what new friends you’ll make on a Friday or Saturday night at Amaro. Tastings of what the winery has to offer can be purchased for $7, and full glasses of your favorite can be purchased for $4 to $6. Bottles range in price, but none cost more than $18. The tasting room is open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sundays. eNCOMPASSing Insurance and Financial Services Your source for Health Insurance INDEPENDENT BROKERS • • • • • Medical/Dental/Vision Life Disability Annuities Long-Term Care 1161 Mall Dr., Ste. D Las Cruces, NM 88011 575.647.0009 www.ncompassgroup.com Nicole Segura Agency Manager Gilda Dorbandt-Jurney Broker, 30 years experience Rosemary Reynaud Benefit Specialist THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 5 GOOD MORNING LAS CRUCES LEADERSHIP Leadership class kicks off Business leaders get a taste of what will come The Leadership Las Cruces Class of 2013 met and held orientation Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, at La Posta de Mesilla. In addition to meeting one another, the group received a history overview of Las Cruces from a living history panel, learned individual communication styles and worked on team-building exercises. Also during orientation, Leadership Las Cruces Alumni were invited for lunch, as is tradition. This interaction provided the new class an idea of what former attendees have experienced and a little of what they can expect this year. The first Good Morning Las Cruces networking event of 2013 brought in a full crowd at La Posta de Mesilla Wednesday, March 13. The keynote speaker was Doug Martin, the new head football coach at New Mexico State University. Martin talked a about his team and the upcoming 2013 schedule, as it will be an exciting year to catch great football at Aggie Memorial Stadium. One-on-One Business Assitance FREE SERVICE PROVIDED BY CITY OF LAS CRUCES s Identify opportunities to get your business where you want it to be. s Connect to your target market to identify opportunities to promote your business. s Referrals and introductions to local business resources. s Information about the City’s business s Access to the City’s public records, including land ownership, zoning, business registrations, construction permitting, and more. sDemographic and market data. related processes and regulations. s Assistance understanding and negotiating through City processes. s Access to a strong network of economic development partners with specializations to benefit the specific needs of each business City of Las Cruces Economic Development Office s%CON$EV LASCRUCESORG 6 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE During the lunch, La Posta was filled with graduates – all of whom are proud to have been a part of the program. There also happens to be a friendly rivalry between the classes as to which class was the best. As is custom during the leadership orientation, the class split into seven groups of four, and are assigned a topic within the community – economic development, health care, community topics, state/local governments, military, agriculture and education. It is each group’s responsibility to design what fellow classmates will experience the month their subject comes up on the calendar. Stay tuned for monthly reports on what this year’s class is learning. Economic development is topic for March class Junior Leadership learns what it takes After an introduction into what economic development is, the Junior Leadership class of 2013 learned some of the nuances a business might consider before a specific site is selected. Jake Redfearn, of NAI 1st Valley, discussed commercial real estate and the influences of zoning, location and general business interests. He cited specific examples of two types of businesses that focus on daily traffic patterns, where one company preferred to locate on the side of the road where they would reach people going to work, and another company preferred to locate on the side of the road where they are more likely to catch those heading home. The class then used that background information as well as demographic, real estate and general area asset descriptions to develop responses on behalf of Las Cruces to sample companies – acting as junior economic developers. In this way, the class was able to learn more about the selection process and how important data is to the location selection process. They were also able to see how the region’s academic pursuits – graduation rates, technical/vocational trainings, degree-level achievements – can influence how a business perceives the area as a possible location. Kiel Hoffman of Pioneer Bank presented six issues that influence an individual’s ability to be hired. He cited company policies that deal with interac- tions on social media, credit worthiness, appropriate attire, tattoos and other subjects. The class learned that decisions made today might influence the career field they choose as they begin to examine post-high school life goals. Virgin Galactic’s Spaceflight Safety Assurance Officer Jeff Peters followed the presentation by introducing the class to the company’s rigorous safety programs and initiatives as it moves closer to its first commercial launch. For many of the students, this was the first intimate informational session on what Virgin Galactic was doing and what it meant for their future opportunities in Las Cruces as the commercial space industry continues to grow in New Mexico. Finally, continuing with the rocket science theme, students toured the NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility with staff of Jacobs Technology. During the tour, they visited the Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory where they learned about testing that is used to simulate orbital space debris that places all spaceflight and other space operations at risk. Students were able to see the damage very small objects can create on bulletproof vests, actual space shuttle tiles and other objects while at the laboratory. The students also were introduced to crossover research done for the medical field due to the oxygen system work at the NASA facility. 2013 LEADERSHIP CLASS Karen Altamirano Laura HuybersPierce Joshua Orozco Michael Jasek NMSU Dean of Students Laura Reynolds Eric Fraass Georgia Lane Gift Baskets by G Owner Sherri Rials April Tate Las Cruces Public Schools Assistant Director Human Resources Tim Hargrove Tiffani Bradley Brian Rodriguez Raymond Taylor Christopher Sanders Lidia Trujillo Estela Sauceda George Vescovo Pioneer Bank Mortgage Loan Officer Rachel Christiansen Las Cruces Bulletin Features Editor Citizens Bank Senior Vice President Paul Heiberger Postitve Enery Solar Technical Sales Expert Anna Henke NMSU Marketing Publications Supervisor Mellow Honek Sunspot Solar Energy Managing Member Comcast Spotlight Local Sales Manager, Southern New Mexico Bradbury Stamm Senior Project Manager Billy Massie El Paso Electric Senior Engineer, Efficiency Specialist Belinda Mills Las Cruces Sun-News Multi-Media Marketing Executive Anthony Moreno KRWG-TV Host/Producer, KRWG TV/FM Border Industrial Alliance Project Manager Las Cruces Real Estate Qualifying Broker Manpower Branch Manager, Greater Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico Jaynes Corp Project Manager First American Bank Mortgage Loan Officer City of Las Cruces Customer Service Supervisor Kenna Stubbs Stubbs Engineering Business Manager Jay Sundheimer Memorial Medical Center Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Travis Tarry US Bank Vice President, District Manager American Document Services CFO Jacobs Technology Director, Facilities Engineer & Operations Support MountainView Regional Medical Center Administrative Assistant Vescovo Toyota of Las Cruces President / General Manager Maria Villa City of Las Cruces Governmental Accounting Supervisor Spring into a Credit Union you can trust! Visit us at our NEW location - 1375 E. Boutz! We now have Drive-up Lanes; Safety Deposit Boxes and a 24 hr. ATM! Not a member, not a problem. Stop in and see us TODAY! For Life’s Choices, One Source Federal Credit Union! Call TODAY at 523-5524 or visit us on the web at www.onesourcefcu.coop THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 7 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT OLIVE GARDEN Chuck Saari and Nancy Wright with Wright Jewelers, Deborah Quackenbush with Hester Agency, Stanford Locke with Uplead and Susan Palmer with Mesilla Valley Mall. Sharon Reese with the White Sands Missile Range Historical Foundation, Mary Beth Rinehart, Anna Mae Evans and Darlene Stalder with Pioneer Bank hang out at the Business After Hours at Olive Garden Thursday, March 28. Misha Poerio, Chris Gurule and Crystal Holguin with Holiday Inn Express Karen Thompson with Convergys and Crystal Ramos, Jessica Valdez and Steven Martinez with Allstate Express Leslie Cervantes with Las Cruces Public Schools, Russell Hernandez with Olive Garden and Troy Tudor with the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. 8 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE Lupe Rios with Sagecrest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Sylvia Lauer with Doña Ana Title Co. BUSINESS OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2013 AT&T See what all the buzz is about 2808 N. TELSHOR BLVD., LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 t 532-5997 t WWW.ATT.COM By Rachel Christiansen Mobile gadgets have evolved to become the toys that cross the generational divide – both kids and adults like to play with them. In a continuously evolving technological world, it is essential for network providers to be on top of their game when it comes to the services they render. Mobile Internet has also become central to so many people’s lives, and innovation within the industry is the only thing that can guarantee the best possible experience. When telecommunications company AT&T opened its doors in Las Cruces in 2007, their aim was to do just that – here and everywhere in the nation. From 2009-12, AT&T invested nearly $175 million to enhance speeds, reliability and performance for its customers in New Mexico – nearly $20 million of that was invested in Las Cruces, according to Veronica Gallegos, the Las Cruces AT&T store manager. “2013 has been a great year, and we are proud to have expanded our 4G LTE foot- The Las Cruces AT&T is located at 2808 N. Telshor Blvd., and is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. print to Las Cruces,” Gallegos said. AT&T customers now benefit from nearly 50 wireless network upgrades in six key categories in Las Cruces that took place during 2012; activating new cell sites, adding capacity, upgrading cell sites to provide fast 4G LTE mobile Internet speeds, deploying high-capacity Ethernet connections to cell sites and adding or upgrading Distributed Antenna Systems, which boost wireless coverage and capacity in buildings and at major venues such as convention halls or sports arenas. AT&T now has the nation’s largest 4G network and fastest 4G LTE network. So what does all of that mean for those who don’t know the acronyms and numbers involved in the cell phone world? Smartphones, tablets and other Internetyielding devices will be fast. Super fast. Internet queries – anything from trivia questions, looking up an actor, checking Facebook and Instagram – can all be done within seconds, or before you’ve even gotten through that first cup of coffee. “We offer mobile solutions that help The team at the Las Cruces AT&T store include, (back row), store manager Veronica Gallegos, retail sales consultant Henry Castillo, sales support representative Max Gonzalez, sales support representative Eric Chavez, retail sales consultant Hollie Hedger (front row) sales consultant Ernie Duran, assistant manager Anthony Ortiz, financial representative Amanda Alarcon and small business account manager Carlos Medina. keep our customers connected while on the go wherever they go,” Gallegos said. “We also offer accessories to protect those devices, keep them charged and other mobile solutions for entertainment, health, fitness and fun.” Walking into a telecommunications provider doesn’t have to be the intimidating thing it can seem like, either. When a customer comes into AT&T, Gallegos said they can expect a friendly smile from the minute they walk in the door. The latest and greatest in smartphones and tablets from all major operating systems can be seen as well. “Our retail representatives will work hard to make sure to satisfy our customer’s mobile needs,” Gallegos said. AT&T’s credentials prove its worth – as it outranked its competitors in “PCWorld’s” most recent 13 market speed tests. If it’s still intimidating, AT&T guarantees a team of employees dedicated to making the customer experience a positive one. “We look for people that want to be a part of an innovative, creative and fastpaced industry, and who are striving for excellence,” Gallegos said. “We look for people who are talented, driven and excited about technology and the way it transforms communication.” What can the world expect next from AT&T? “We are always continually planning and deploying network enhancements to improve service in the future,” Gallegos said. THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 9 NONPROFIT OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2013 March of Dimes of Southern New Mexico MAILING: PO BOX 2066, MESILLA PARK, NM 88047 t PHYSICAL: INSIDE PTS OFFICE SYSTEMS, 2840 N. TELSHOR BLVD., LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 t 523-2627 t WWW.MARCHOFDIMES.COM/NEWMEXICO OR WWW.NACERSANO.ORG (SPANISH LANGUAGE SITE) AND WWW.MARCHFORBABIES.ORG Mission: The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The March of Dimes is inspired by all babies – those born healthy and those who need our help to survive and thrive. They are the millions of reasons behind our urgent mission and why, every day, we: t 1SPWJEFDPNGPSUBOE information to families with a baby in intensive care; t 4VQQPSUMJGFTBWJOHSFTFBSDI to find treatments and preventions for the serious problems that threaten our babies. Purpose: The March of Dimes helps moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. If something goes wrong, we offer information and comfort to families. We research the problems that threaten babies and work on preventing them. Key goals: Prematurity Campaign: t #Z3FEVDFUIFSBUFPG premature birth in the U.S. to 9.6 percent or less. t #Z"DIJFWFBOJOUFSJN goal in the U.S. of an 8 percent reduction in the premature birth rate for every TUBUFGSPNUIFCBTFMJOF Newborn Screening Tests: t "EEJOHDSJUJDBMDPOHFOJUBM heart disease (CCHD) to the Recommended Uniform 4DSFFOJOH1BOFMJO/FX Mexico that all babies are tested for. Folic Acid Education: t ɩSFFZFBSQSPKFDU/P 1, advocate for the use of fortified grain products by local producers of tortillas and other corn-based QSPEVDUT/PFEVDBUF women of childbearing age and health care providers about preconception care and the importance of folic acid consumption; No. 3, distribute multivitamins containing folic acid to low-income, high-risk women; and No. 4, increase public awareness about folic acid through targeted and varied media opportunities. History: Originally founded by 1SFTJEFOU'SBOLMJO%3PPTFWFMU to find a cure for polio. Original OBNFo/BUJPOBM'PVOEBUJPO GPS*OGBOUJMF1BSBMZTJT1SFTJEFOU Roosevelt called on all Americans to send their dimes to the White House to fund polio SFTFBSDI0WFSNJMMJPOEPMMBST were sent to the White House, and comedian Eddie Cantor coined the phrase “March of Dimes – highlighting our history BOEDFMFCSBUJOHBTUIFUI #JSUIEBZPGUIF.BSDIPG%JNFT Key people to know: National President – Dr. Jennifer Howse became president of the March of %JNFT'PVOEBUJPOJO+BOVBSZ 1990. Under her leadership, the March of Dimes has doubled its revenue and achieved impressive mission results for mothers and infants, including the successful national folic acid campaign, the MBVODIPGB/BUJPOBM1SFNBUVSJUZ 1SFWFOUJPO$BNQBJHOBOE recently the fifth consecutive year of decrease in the national rate of prematurity. Her many contributions were recognized by the scientific community through FMFDUJPOJOUPUIF/BUJPOBM Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. Southern New Mexico Directoro#FDLZ)PSOFS Southern New Mexico Board of Directorso t ,FMMZ%VLF$IBJSNBO t +FĊSFZ4JMWB*NNFEJBUF1BTU Chairman t .BSHBSJUB4BMB[BS7JDF$IBJS t %BWJE)JDLT4FDSFUBSZ t 4UFWFO$IBWJSB7PMVOUFFS Development Chair t ,JSL$MJGUPO t &SOFTUP(BSDJB t -BVSB1JFSDF t %BWJE.D$PMMVN t 4ZMWJB8BTIJOHUPO t "OUPJOFUUF'VFOUFT,OBQQ t $FJM-FWBUJOP t ,BUZ1FUFSNFJFS The Gila River water controversy State senator seeks solutions By Stephen L. Wilmeth The controversy surrounding the Gila River water embroiled in the war of words in the press is a matter of great concern for New Mexico – notwithstanding the compulsory environmental dedication by the print media, the fate of that water has real consequences. The Arizona Water Settlement Act (AWSA) set forth the right for New Mexico to use 14,000 acre-feet of water beyond current use levels from the Gila River. In terms of commercial uses of water, that water has a present value to New Mexico of up to $9 million per year. That is a huge sum of money to the counties of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna directly impacted by the debate. The debate isn’t predicated over the right for New Mexico to pursue the capture of the water, nor is it driven over the extraction of water from the river. Gila River water will be used beneficially. It will either be used in Arizona where it has been used for years or it will be extracted in New Mexico where it has been disallowed. The debate is driven by the environmental ideologue agenda that intends to disallow beneficial use in New Mexico and is silent to the ultimate use of the water downstream in Arizona. In this case, downstream users in Arizona are fully supportive of the all things green agenda and hope that New Mexico is unable to overcome the bureaucratic quagmire it faces in the matter. They know a deadline looms and, if off stream storage is not permitted, capitalized and built, the use of the water will revert legally to Arizona where its lawful, permanent use will be welcomed with open arms. The antagonism is directed at the state of New Mexico and the Gila water users who dare suggest that the water be removed from in-stream Gila flows that Congress has deemed as their right of possession. This is a passion play of grand proportions. Any location, any logic and any reasoning for capture of the water will be challenged by the extrinsic resource cartel. They will challenge, they will sue and they will care less that the water is enjoyed by our neighbors to the west. State Sen. John Arthur Smith (D-Deming) put forth an issue bill discussing the possibility of constructing a pipeline to route that water out of the Gila basin. Smith’s intention was to make sure New Business Banking Made 5 LOCATIONS IN LAS CRUCES 10 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE Events and activities: t 5FBN;BOF$FMFCSJUZ8BJUFS event – March t .BSDIGPS#BCJFTXBMLo"QSJM t )JHI)FFMTGPS)JHI)PQFTo November t .PVOUBJO7JFX3FHJPOBM Medical Center – New 1BSFOUBOE/*$61BSFOU Support Group – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday, .PVOUBJO7JFX8PNFOT Resource Center Future plans: More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes helped each and FWFSZPOFUISPVHIZFBSTPG research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. In local communities across the country, we’re helping moms take charge of their health, and supporting families when something goes wrong. The March of Dimes also acts globally: sharing best practices in perinatal health and helping improve birth outcomes where the needs are the most urgent. Mexico does not lose the right to that precious water, but the scope of his bill was not intended to resolve all of the technical issues of such an effort. As time for resolution shortens, the state must be cognizant of the alternative to trade Gila River water for Colorado River water. That would maintain current Gila flows and Colorado River water would be wheeled through the Chama Diversion for downstream beneficial use through existing infrastructure and facilities. The cost would be nothing. The risk, as expressed by Gila River users, is that they would never enjoy the benefits of the water if it is diverted. If, however, they could retain the ownership of the water and market it through a conditional, finite period of time, perhaps they could ultimately see their own impoundment built. The water could them revert to their own vision and enjoyment of use. Will something happen? As long as Smith is involved, there is hope. Easy! WWW.CITIZENSLC.COM -AINLOCATION3-AIN3Ts,AS#RUCES.-s ,/""9-ONDAY&RIDAY $2)6%50-ONDAY&RIDAYs3ATURDAY CONQUISTADORE CORNER Conquistadores support history H istory was honored Sunday, March 17, during the annual Bataan Memorial Death March. A group of Conquistadores and FirstLight Federal Credit Union employees met before the sun came up and ventured over to White Sands Missile Range to volunteer their time and show STACIE ALLEN support to the local individuals and the many who have traveled across the county to be part of this event. We have manned water station No. 2 for many years. Again this year, we cut up thousands of oranges and bananas and poured thousands of cups of Gatorade – which we handed out to more than 5,800 marchers, runners and walkers. It was a great inspiration to see a variety of people – men, women, children, civilians, soldiers and many with physical restrictions and disabilities compete in this race. Nothing stops them! We are lucky to have had a small part in this event and spend the day showing our support. Kari Shepan, our special events chair, did an amazing job coordinating all of the details and recruiting volunteers. Thank you to our hard-working, participating Conquistadores and some of their family members: Terry and Mike Gaume, Mary and Jerry Iadicicco, Ron Salak, Sarah Stegall, Troy Tudor, Leslie Martinez and son Clay, Don Buck, Rick Altamirano, Jodie and Tommy Brdecko, Lorna Harris, Doug Boberg, Derek Boberg, Lupe Rios, Kayla Bassing, Grant Buck and Audrey Valdez. A big thank you goes to the FirstLight Federal Credit Union employees who volunteered with the Conquistadores. Thank you to Savonne Griffin for inviting your FirstLight Federal Credit Union colleagues to be part of this each year and we look forward to volunteering with you all again in 2014. I am sure the time, energy, smiles and cheers each one of these volunteers gave during this event had a positive impact on all of the participants. We are here to support each other and our American history. I am honored to be part of this group! The Conqusitadores and FirstLight Federal Credit Union volunteers get going early with generators Sunday, March 17, in order to be ready for the first batch of runners at this year’s Bataan Memorial Death March. The volunteers from the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce and FirstLight Federal Credit Union pose with a Bataan survivor the day of the march. Stacie Allen, Chair of the Council of Conquistadores 2013 Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Volunteers man both sides of the road as the runners approach. THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 11 RIBBON CUTTINGS LAS CRUCES YOUTH BASEBALL ORGANIZATION – March 14, 1875 E. Hadley – Vice President for 13-14 division Steve Delgado holds the proclamation while President Robert Gonzalez cuts the ribbon. CLEAR VUE PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING & HOME SERVICE – March 11 – Operations manager Frank Bueno holds the proclamation while Owner Peter Cruz cuts the ribbon at a ribbon cutting held at the Greater Chamber’s office. UNITED RV – March 8, 700 Stern Drive – President and Owner Bryan Lamey holds the proclamation while Director of Marketing Ann Lamey cuts the ribbon. 12 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE UNITED WAY – March 8, 225 E. Idaho Ave., Suite 24 – Board members Marianna Lappin and Collin Reynolds hold the proclamation while CEO Mike Zaragoza cuts the ribbon. New Members Advantage Home Solutions LLC Lawrence Flores 525-8183 Cornerstone Baptist Church Doug Cowan 532-0902 Las Cruces Arts Association Lois V. Smith 652-3485 Las Cruces Youth Baseball Association Robert Gonzalez 640-1797 Lovelace Health Plan Deirdre Whitt 505-727-5683 United RV Las Cruces Ann Lamey 528-2800 Renewing Members Accent Real Estate Marti Wells Darden Law Firm John Darden Allied Burglar & Fire Alarms Inc. James W. Neely Doña Ana Arts Council Kathleen Albers American Linen Supply of New Mexico Michael Lutz Doña Ana Community College Margie Huerta Duggan, D. E. Dan Duggan American Medical Response Joaquin Graham El Paso Electric Co. Susan Sandell First American Bank in Las Cruces Joe Bullock Las Cruces Symphony Association Lonnie Klein First New Mexico Bank of Las Cruces Donna Stryker Mathers Realty Van Bullock FirstLight Federal Credit Union Savonne Griffin G. Sandoval Construction Inc. Nicole Black Americom Automation Services Inc. Justin Pelayo Enterprise Rent-A-Car Kerry Luther General Mailing & Shipping Systems Kristen Briggs Applied Technology Associates Larry Lloyd Familia Dental Courtney Gilles Hester Agency - Allstate Kayla Bassing Asombro Institute for Science Education Stephanie Bestelmeyer Families & Youth Inc. Jose V. Frietze KVIA-TV 7 Michael Sepulveda Las Cruces LABOR MARKETS Quick Facts Sierra Alta Ranch LLC Tom Mobley Sonic Drive-In Restaurant Barbara Stammer SportClips Rod Reyes Mesilla Valley Snacks Bill Jensen Stull Real Estate Karen Stull New Mexico State University Foundation Inc. Dennis Prescott Ph.D Truck Farm Jim Hawman OfficeMax Scott McClanahan Village at Northrise Judy Tipton Options Home Care Services Yoletta Bustamante Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern New Mexico Pam Suarez Western Heritage Bank Cindy Bennett Your Host ... New Mexico Joanne Bess HOUSING PRICE INDEX Employment Jan. ’13 Jan. ’12 % change Las Cruces 85,159 84,697 0.05 Statewide 793,600 790,100 0.04 U.S. (in thousands) 132,644 130,657 1.5 Unemployment Rate Dec. ’12 Dec. ’11 Difference Las Cruces 6.8% 6.7% (0.1%) Statewide 6.5% 6.6% (0.1%) (All Sources) U.S. data 7.8% 8.5% (0.8%) Permits Valuation Source: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Las Cruces New Mexico United States 3rd Quarter 2012 159.11 284.39 315.57 3rd Quarter 2011 166.89 289.03 315.68 % change Feb. ’13 Feb. ’12 % change 385 $465,751 490 $425,199 (21%) 9% (4.7%) (1.6%) 0% Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency BUILDING PERMITS Las Cruces Area Source: City of Las Cruces 2013 SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE ON NEWSSTANDS & AT THE LAS CRUCES BULLETIN s&AXs.4ELSHOR3UITE%,AS#RUCES.- THE BOTTOM LINE s April 2013 s 13 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHEDULE APRIL 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce 1 2 3 4 8 a.m. Junior Leadership – Chamber 7 14 8 9 15 16 11:30 p.m. Small Business Workshop – Columbus Center 21 22 23 24 6 11:30 a.m. White Sands Missile Range Spring Golf Tournament – WSMR 10 17 5 11 11:30 a.m. Spaceport Update Luncheon – Las Cruces Convention Center 12 13 8 a.m. Leadership Las Cruces – Memorial Medical Center 18 1 p.m. Economic Forum – KRWG-TV 5:30 p.m. Business After Hours – Wright Jewelers 25 19 CHAMBER BY THE NUMBERS The Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce is the primary advocate for the Greater Las Cruces business community, dedicated to fostering growth and opportunity by focusing on communication, education and participation. FULFILLING THE COMMUNITY NEED The following statistics from the past 30 days indicate the number of individuals interested in learning more about the Chamber by visiting the website. Those who have visited the site inquired about relocation advice as well as the approximate number of member business referrals by Chamber staff members. 9,965 79 89 20 people have visited the Chamber’s website. people have inquired about individual relocation. 26 27 referrals have been issued for members. COMMITTEE MEETINGS 28 29 30 Looking ahead Friday, May 10 Golf Classic Wednesday, May 8 Junior Leadership Graduation Thursday, May 23 Business After Hours April 1 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 8 April 11 April 11 April 11 April 16 April 17 April 17 April 17 April 23 4 p m. ................Las Cruces Day in Santa Fe Committee 4 p.m.......................Conquistador Executive Committee 4 p.m..............Issues & Governmental Affairs Committee 7:30 a.m. ........Military Affairs Committee, MV Hospice Noon ..........................................Retention Committee 9 a.m. ........................... Commercial Space Committee 11 a.m. ............................Events and Benefits Committee 4 p.m....................... Candidates & Elections Committee 3:30 p.m....................... Finance & Executive Committee 7:30 a.m. ........Education Committee, Housing Authority 11 a.m. ....................................... Small Business Council 4 p.m................Marketing & Public Relations Committee 4 p.m............................................... Board of Directors *All above meetings are held in the Chamber boardroom unless specified otherwise. High-quality, Reliable, Award-Winning Products Local Service and Support for all Office Environments s Copiers sPrinters sFax Machines sNetworking IT sPrint Management Services sDocument Management Solutions 14 s April 2013 s THE BOTTOM LINE 2840 N. Telshor 575-524-4384 ptsofficesystems.com CHAMBER MEMBER BRIEFS Carson joins Steinborn & Associates Real Estate Steinborn & Associates Real Estate is pleased to announce that Reese Carson has joined the growing company of Steinborn Inc. Realtors. Carson has been an active citizen and banker in the Las Cruces community since 1996. “I chose Steinborn & Associates Real Estate because they have many resources including a dominant market share, broad network of referrals and a significant Internet presence,” Carson said. “The brokerage provides the finest national affiliations available to assist me in networking for my clients.” Carson will be responsible for the leasing, purchasing and selling real estate in both residential and commercial divisions. He is based in the 141 Roadrunner Parkway, Suite 141, office and can be reached at 644-2467. County seeks applicants to serve on airport advisory board Applications are available for residents of Doña Ana County willing to serve on the Airport Advisory Board for the Doña Ana County Airport at Santa Teresa. The Airport Advisory Board comprises seven members serving staggered three-year terms. The Airport Advisory Board meets monthly or as needed to identify issues of airport importance related to safety, growth, development and administration. Board members work closely with the airport manager, county engineer and planning director, as well as a representative of the Doña Ana County Attorney’s Office. The Airport Advisory Board is charged with periodically reporting to the Board of County Commissioners about issues of concern and then making recommendations for future operations. All meetings of the Airport Advisory Board comply with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act. The application form seeks information related to interest in serving, knowledge of aviation and/or airport issues and other general information about the applicant’s qualifications to serve. Licensed pilots are encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, April 12. To request an application, call Doña Ana County Airport Manager Vernon Wilson at 644-2358 or email him at vernonw@ donaanacounty.org. US Department of Labor offers grants The U.S. Department of Labor announced on March 11 the availability of approximately $6 million in grants for the third round of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative. These funds will enable up to six additional states to build or expand longitudinal databases that link workforce and education data, enabling them to improve the performance of workforce programs. Grantees will be expected to use these longitudinal databases to conduct research and analysis aimed at determining the effectiveness of workforce and education programs, and to develop tools to inform customers of the publicly funded workforce system. This grant opportunity stems from the Obama administration’s focus on access to high-quality data and is related to the U.S. Department of Education’s Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems grants to build longitudinal education databases. To find out more about the Workforce Data Quality Initiative, visit www.doleta. gov/performance/workforcedatagrant09. com. dents and researchers alike. The Morgan & Claypool Synthesis Collection 3 and 4 will add 125 titles and provide a valuable source of information and an ideal introduction to new fields. With these acquisitions being electronic in nature, more students, faculty and researchers will have increased access to these resources and be able to download PDF versions of the titles. For more information, contact Johnson at paulacj@lib.nmsu.edu or 646-7251. McKee Foundation gives $11,500 to NMSU Library The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has released figures quantifying the economic impact of outdoor recreation in all 50 states, with a separate report for each state that tallies direct spending, jobs, salaries and tax revenue. This data demonstrates that outdoor recreation is an important driver of state economies, supporting jobs, businesses and communities. In New Mexico, according to the study, Americans spend $6.1 billion on outdoor recreation, supporting 68,400 New Mexico jobs, generating $1.7 billion in wages and producing $458 million in state and local tax revenue. New Mexico offers spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities at treasured destinations, including Santa Fe National Forest, Elephant Butte Lake State Park and many others, providing the types of outdoor experiences that produce these economic benefits. The New Mexico State University Library has been awarded an $11,500 gift from the Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation of El Paso. The gift will be used for the purchase of current engineering reference materials, which will build the collection to better serve the needs of not only NMSU’s engineering students, but also faculty and researchers within our region and the state. Engineering librarian Paula Johnson said the gift will enable the library to offer electronic engineering resources that are critically needed in this field. 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