NEWS Local news and entertainment since 1969 Bottom Line YOUR Business is OUR Business! Inside Las Cruces GREATER LAS CRUCES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • AUGUST 2 0 2 0 • WWW.LASCRUCES.ORG TABLE OF CONTENTS Chamber Leader Selected For economy Essential self-care...................3 Economic Recovery Fellowship Las Cruces Safe Promise .........4 Debbi Moore one of 42 nationwide selected to participate Debbi Moore, President in this Fellowship. This is a whelmed by the enthusiastic & CEO of the Greater Las wonderful opportunity for response to this executive LC Young Professionals ...........5 Cruces Chamber of Com- Las Cruces & our entire Me- leadership training initiative merce has been selected by silla Valley business commu- and the high caliber of appli- amid COVID the Association of Chamber nity.” said 2020 Board Chair cants,” said ACCE President NM Small Business of Commerce Executives Sabrina Martin. “Being rec- Sheree Ann Kelly. Speaking (ACCE) to study economic re- ognized on a national basis on the need for businesses Recovery Act ..........................6 covery and resilience strate- for the Greater Las Cruces to engage in economic re- gies with 41 other chamber of Chamber’s leadership over covery activities, Kelly says commerce professionals from the past months as we all her organization assists its New/rewewing members ......7 communities throughout the have learned to navigate un- members through various United States. charted waters, is an incredi- learning opportunities and page 3 The Fellowship for Eco- ble honor. This multi-faceted best practice sharing. “This COURTESY PHOTO latest step in our strategy to nomic Recovery is an immer- fellowship will give our com- Debbi Moore FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 engage business leaders and sive executive development munity great opportunity to nomic development to entre- G R E A T E R L A S C R U C E S program that provides cham- learn from others and share advocates in shaping recov- C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E preneurship. The curriculum ber of commerce profession- our own best practices.” ery efforts, building resilient local economies and creating 150 E. LOHMAN AVE. als with education and tools Throughout the year-long will focus on strategies for opportunities for everyone in to improve the post-COVID-19 Fellowship for Economic Re- building more equitable eco- LAS CRUCES, NM 8 8 0 0 1 the community to thrive.” pandemic outcomes in the covery, participants focus on nomic outcomes and creat- 575-524-1968 ACCE’s Fellowship for Eco- communities they serve. addressing different aspects ing economies that work for WWW.LASCRUCES.ORG nomic Recovery is designed I Volume 52, Number 33 “We are so excited to have of economic recovery from everyone. Debbi chosen to participate education and talent to eco- “We have been over- See MOORE | 2 I lascrucesbulletin.com Your Health Can’t Wait We know you are concerned about your health. We are, too. That’s why we are taking extraordinary measures to make our care environments safe for every patient. Whether you have a chronic health condition that requires ongoing medical care with a physician or you are experiencing sudden symptoms of a serious, life-threatening condition, like heart attack or stroke, please don’t delay your NEWS healthcare. Your life may depend on fast action. We’re here and ready to help you – now. Learn how we’re keeping patients safe. Visit MountainViewRegional.com/COVID-19. In an emergency, call 911. 111156_MRMC_DontDelayDOC_9_98x2c.indd 1 6/2/20 9:14 AM Early voting is coming up soon page 10 NEWS Faith parade planned for Aug. 21 page 15 NEWS Weightless Volunteers work to wonder keep city clean page 16 Astronaut Beth Moses tests the window halos during a Virgin Galactic Spaceship Unity test flight. Learn about the cabin design and Sir Richard Branson’s thoughts about soon-to-begin commercial space tourism launching from Spaceport America north of Las Cruces. Full story on page 12. COURTESY PHOTO 2 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 LAS CRUCES BULLETIN Content brought to you by: Your Partner in Progress County Roads Initiative shows results Almost 18 years ago, the first section of Berry sioner Solis for her help in getting this road paved be- Un-surfaced County Maintained Roads Patch Avenue on the East Mesa near Butterfield was cause she talked with us in advance about the pro- Missionary Ridge Road paved. At the time, funding to complete the last mile ject. Accessing the highway quicker has made a big Desert Aire of the road was unavailable. difference on our commute time.” Charolais Drive “When I was Roman Rodriguez, Fossil View Road elected Commis- a long-time County Hurt Road sioner of District resident said he recalls 4, residents of when the road’s first Non-County Maintained Roads Berry Patch Ave- section was paved, Teak Lane nue told me about around 2002. He de- Flower Road the terrible condi- scribed how tough it Estancia Road tion of their road,” was to drive on the Ward Road Commissioner unpaved road, as Singh Road Isabella Solis many very deep pot- Chamberino Secondary Access said. “I went to holes would form dur- Koogle Road Berry Patch Ave- ing the rainy sea- Berry Patch Ave nue to see for my- son. “The road was Balsam Road self and it was absolutely needed,” Chiricahua Trail awful. It became Rodriguez Corona Road very important to Before after said. “Driving on it Blazing Trails Road me to help these was nearly impossible residents and in before and it felt as 2018 the Board of County Commissioners funded a though one might tip over.” roads initiative that appropriated monies to repair, The Roads Initiative comprises 33 projects in three widen and pave 33 roads in Doña Ana County, includ- categories, as follows: ing Berry Patch Avenue. The roads initiative provided $10.2 million to repair and resurface county and pri- Surfaced County-Maintained Roads vate roads.” Corpening Ave Rene Molina, Engineer Supervisor for Doña Ana Esslinger Road County Engineering and Roads Department designed Three Saints Road the new section of Berry Patch Avenue. “Completing Butte Drive pavement of Berry Patch Avenue means residents now Lisa Drive have more efficient access to West Side Recycling, the San Jacinto Road Las Cruces East Mesa Public Health Office, schools Dripping Springs Road Pictured above is Berry Patch and other goods and services,” Molina said. Found Avenue Avenue, near Butterfield, be- Before the repairs were made, residents had to Nike Avenue fore and after paving. drive more than one and a half miles east to reach the Calle de Oro Right, Dist. 4 Doña Ana Coun- Brahman Road interchange, then double back to reach Horseshoe Circle ty Commissioner Isabella the City of Las Cruces. Now, when driving to town, King Edward Ave Solis stands on the recently they drive west to the Weisner Road interchange and Mantooth Loop paved Berry Patch Avenue. access Interstate-70. Shalem Colony Trail Fernando Tovar, a local resident near Berry Patch Avenue said, “We are very happy and thank Commis- PHOTOS: Doña Ana County Connect with us: (575) 647-7200 www.donaanacounty.org LAS CRUCES BULLETIN NEWS FRIDAY, AUGST 14, 2020 | 3 Beyond COVID-19: Las Cruces could have a bright future By MIKE COOK uncer- and the impact of current perspective, we are seek- Las Cruces Bulletin tainty restrictions.” ing solutions to support and the “Local businesses repre- the most vulnerable popu- “We don’t need to re- restric- sent a vital job source for lations, including workers invent ourselves,” The for its assets and we start tions,” our community,” Martinez that have been recently Bridge of Southern New to articulate our story Marti- said. “Our goal is to put displaced. We are also Mexico President and super well, it could be a BRYAN MCCAMLEY MARTINEZ nez said, forth programs that will placing emphasis on our CEO Tracey Bryan said, very bright future,” Bryan “how- translate into job retention entrepreneurial sector as Las Cruces deals with said. the city’s general fund) in ever, the among all sectors, espe- to create new opportuni- COVID-19. “We just have Even with the eco- July 2020 was 2.25 percent negative impact has been cially those that have been ties that ensure growth, to build on what we have nomic impact of COVID- higher than in July 2019, reduced through the stim- heavily impacted. and connect people with 19 since Gov. Michelle Martinez said. ulus funding and other From the job seekers’ SEE BEYOND, PAGE 4 the opportunities that here Lujan Grisham closed City data show declines support programs avail- for employment and entre- non-essential businesses in new and renewing able to community mem- We are here to help preneurship.” statewide in mid-March, business registrations, bers through the several The community is the City of Las Cruces she said. In the first five federal, state and local pro- you using the “asset rich,” Bryan, with ended FY2020 (July 1, 2019- months of 2020, there were grams. Our department recommended opportunities that include June 30, 2020) with a four- 164 new business registra- is focused on establishing CDC precautions. commercial space travel, percent increase over the tions and 883 business programming and part- sustainable agriculture, budget, said city Economic registration renewals, nerships that will allow We can meet via secure film and television produc- Development Depart- compared to 194 new and our community to shorten Zoom, telephonic, or tion, healthcare technol- ment (LCEDD) Director 1,009 renewal registrations the recovery period,” she in-person with masks. ogy and international Griselda Martinez, Ph.D. during the same period in said, adding that the city 1340 Picacho Hills Dr.