The local economic development organization has changed its name but not its mission.
The Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation — formerly the Chaves County Economic Development Foundation — has as its goal that “Chaves County will become the hub for economic development in Southeastern New Mexico.” The corporation will accomplish its mission by “aggressively pursuing an enhanced economy, (and) improv(ing) business climate and quality of life in the region.”
“Economic development encompasses all aspects of pubic and private business sectors: health and human services, tourism (hospitality), retail trade, government, judicial, agriculture, education and industrial development,” an RCCEDC press release says. “The Roswell-Chaves County EDC is the is the contracted industrial/manufacturing economic development agent for the city of Roswell and Chaves County.”
The RCCEDC aids existing local companies by providing state and federal training and development resources and recruits new businesses and helps expanding businesses, which adds to the local tax base and provides benefits to existing industries.
“This organization has consistently and successfully proved our economic development ability on behalf of the citizens of (the) city of Roswell and Chaves County,” the release says. “Our EDC has worked directly with the New Mexico Economic Development Department on numerous projects.”
Roswell is one of a handful of New Mexico sites certified by the state Economic Development Department under the Certified Community Initiative.
The RCCEDC also has launched its new and improved Web site, www.chavescounty.net. The new site lists 10 reasons that businesses should locate in Roswell:
Pro-business City Council and County Commission: Our City Council and County Commission want your business.
Daily jet service provided by American Eagle Airlines: Roswell International Air Center (ROW) is one of the two cities in the state of New Mexico which provides daily scheduled commercial jet service.
Rail service: Daily rail service provided by Southwestern Railroad Inc., which ties into the national BNSF network.
Four-lane divided highways: Industrial crossroads of Eastern New Mexico with four-lane divided highways at an ideal connection between I-40, I-10 and I-25.
Workforce: January 2006, civilian workforce of 26,333 and an unemployment rate of 5.2%; current states, November 2008, civilian workforce of 28,217 and an unemployment rate of 3.9%.
Education: Expansion Management Magazine grants Roswell Independent School District a Gold Medal designation. Roswell ISD is one of the to school districts in the state of New Mexico which earned the high ranking. Chaves County schools are:
• Roswell Independent School District.
• Dexter Consolidated Schools
• Hagerman Municipal Schools
• Lake Arthur Municipal Schools
• Several accredited church-based private schools.
Higher education:
• Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell offers 70-plus certificate and associate degree programs and access to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a wide range of career-oriented programs.
• Customized training offered by ENMU-R.
• New Mexico Military Institute: associate of arts and sciences degree in more than 22 concentrations; emphasis on qualities of honor, integrity and responsibility.
Water: The Roswell Artesian Basin provides a world-class example of a rechargeable artesian aquifer.
Medical services: Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Roswell Regional Hospital.
Housing: Average residential sale price per square foot $112.00 (includes lot and structure).