Archive for August, 2009

Reports just released by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department indicate that the Dona Ana County economy continued to soften during the second quarter of 2009.  According to the report, total reported gross receipts for all industries fell 3% when compared to the second quarter of 2008.  The reduction was less than the 4.3% reduction recorded in the first quarter. Total reported gross receipts for retail trade were 10% lower when compared to the second quarter of 2008.

The construction sector continues to soften, but not as severely as during the first quarter. Total reported gross receipts were 4.3% lower in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to 2008. New residential permits issued in the county were 17.1% lower and total permit valuations (all classifications) fell 11.6%

According to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statics, Dona Ana County’s unemployment rate in June, 2009 was 7.3%. This is lower than the national rate of 9.5%, but higher than the state rate of 6.8%.

Using a variety of sources, MVEDA tracks and reports changes in labor force, employment, construction permits and total reported gross receipts on a quarterly and annual basis. These economic indicator reports are available on MVEDA website.  The report for the second quarter of 2009 will be released in the near future.

Detailed New Mexico gross receipts files are available on UNM’s Bureau of Business & Economic Research website. Current and historical labor force data for Dona Ana County (Las Cruces NM MSA) are available on the Bureau of Labor Statics’ website.

The September meeting of the MVEDA Business on the Border Forum will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Day’s Inn Columbus Conference Center, 901 Avenida de Mesilla.  The meeting will begin with a hot entree buffet, followed by an update by MVEDA staff.

Lisa Colquitt-Muñoz, Regional Coordinator for the Paso del Norte Group, will present an update on an on-going review of the region’s Higher Education Institutions on behalf of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD).  The purpose of the study is to understand and strengthen the role these institutions in the economic, cultural and social development of the region.  The Paso del Norte region is one of 12 regions from around the world selected to participate in this study.

Regional partners in the study include representatives from higher education, the private sector and non-governmental organizations from Cd. Juarez, El Paso and Las Cruces.  Las Cruces is represented by Garrey Carruthers, Margie Huerta, Vickie Galindo, Davin Lopez, and Patsy Duran.

For more information about the study, please refer to the OECD page on the Paso del Norte Group’s web site.

Luncheon cost is $15.00 per person, payable by cash, check or major credit card. The meeting is open to the public and reservations are not required.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson was on hand today at a press conference announcing New Mexico’s first Early College High School.

Governor Bill Ricardson speaking at ECHS press conference

The new school will be built in the Arrowhead Research Park on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU). It is slated to begin holding classes in the fall of 2011.

The Early College High School(ECHS), a regional project, will focus  on increasing the area high school graduation rates, enhancing career and technical education opportunities, and ensuring that students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education and the 21^st century workplace.

ECHS will provide new and enhanced opportunities for up to 500 Dona Ana County teenagers. Students will experience an academic environment in a small, active learning community, which includes connections to learning opportunities outside the classroom through industry internships, online learning, and independent projects and participation in dual enrollment. Students completing Early College High School will graduate with a high school diploma and up to two years of college credit, with the potential of earning an associate’s degree.

Dignitaries joining the Governor at today’s press conference included: NM Department of Education Assistant Secretary Dr. Gloria Rendon; NMSU Interim President Dr. Manuel T. Pacheco; NMSU Provost Dr. Waded Cruzado-Salas; NMSU Vice President of Economic Development and former Governor Garrey Carruthers; NMSU College of Education Dean Dr. Michael Morehead; Dona Ana Community College CEO Dr. Margie Huerta; Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Stan Rounds; and Suzanne Quillen, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico.

The ECHS is a collaborative effort of New Mexico State University, Dona Ana Community College, Las Cruces Public Schools, Gadsden Independent School District, Hatch Valley Public Schools, The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, and regional business and industry partners.

The 2009 Domenici Public Policy Conference will be held September 16 – 17, 2009 on the campus of New Mexico State University. The conference is hosted by New Mexico State University and the Pete V. Domenici Institute for Public Policy.

Topics covered in this year’s conference will include: the U.S. Economy; Nuclear Energy; Homeland Security and the U.S./Mexico Border; and National Security.  Speakers will include: U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. James Cartwright; Former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici; U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; Former Congresswoman Heather Wilson; Nuclear Energy Institute Senior Vice President Alex Flint; and Former Director of the Government Accountability Office David Walker.

Registration fees are $25.00 per person. Conference information, including on-line registration and agendas are available on-line: http://domenici.nmsu.edu/index.html.

Visitors may obtain an E-Permit for each day of conference attendance on-line: http://www.campusvisitor.com/.

On Thursday, August 20, 2009, Dona Ana County’s first Early College High School will be unveiled. The project is the result of a partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU), Dona Ana Community College (DACC), Las Cruces Public Schools, Gadsden Independent School District and Hatch Valley Public Schools. The announcement will be held at the NMSU College of Education, O’Donnell Hall Atrium, 1220 Stewart Street, and beginning at 10:00 a.m.  NMSU Interim President Dr. Manuel T. Pacheco, Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Stan Rounds, Governor Bill Richardson and NM Public Education Department Secretary Dr. Veronica C. Garcia will be among the speakers.

The facility will be built on land adjacent to the Arrowhead Research Park and will have a career-tech STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) focus along with introducing entrepreneurial skills.  The dual credit program established between higher education institutions and the public schools will allow a student to enroll for a class at Dona Ana Community College (DACC) or New Mexico State University (NMSU) and receive both high school and college credit. This program will allow a student to not only complete a high school curriculum, but also permit that student to graduate with over 30 college credits and in some cases even qualify for an Associates degree from DACC. The project has been a focus of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico since its inception.  The participating educational institutions are members of the Bridge.

Visitors may obtain an E-Permit for the event on-line: http://www.campusvisitor.com/.