Artesia: New Mexico's best kept secret

New Mexico Business Journal, Oct, 1990 by Lynn Koenig

Artesia NEW MEXICO'S BEST KEPT SECRET

Artesia's friendly people and its quality of life are what first-time visitors and new residents notice - the friendly face in the checkout line, greetings from total strangers.

It's five-minute drive to work - not an hour-long commute.

It's a small town, but for many who have lived elsewhere, it's also a big relief.

"It's fabulous," says Valerie Blake, deputy chief of the Immigration Officer Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

She moved to Artesia from Washington, D.C., and has lived in nine states and three foreign countries.

"I wanted to get away from the traffic, the stress and to have more time with my husband," she says. "I've done that. The climate is great, too."

Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Larry Mohler moved to Artesia from Minnesota.

"I've lived in cities along both borders. Of all the places I have lived, I really like Artesia best," Mohler says. "I like everything about it. It's family-oriented and has friendly people."

As Artesia enters the 1990s, it looks forward to a decade of economic growth and expansion, while keeping its friendly, small-town atmosphere.

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center enters its second year expecting to double the number of trainees.

The Artesia Veteran's Administration Community Clinic treated 7,000 veterans in its first year and expects to keep on growing.

Navajo Refining Co., the state's largest refinery and Artesia's largest industrial employer, has begun construction of an $18 million unit and plans to re-open its Lovington refinery.

Dairies were the big news in 1990 for area farmers and agribusiness people. One dairy opened in August and at least four more dairies are expected to relocate here.

Disturbing events in the Middle East did not cause local independent oil producers to rush madly to the fields, but oilmen were ready to move. There was some stirring in the area's fields in 1990, with more drilling anticipated.

Artesia voters - always supportive of their schools - continued that tradition by voting for a five-mill tax levy on property in a tough economic year. The money will go to renovate buildings and replace equipment.

The City of Artesia expanded its services to take care of new growth. City water connections increased by 150 households during the year, city clerk-treasurer Shirley Walker says. Gross receipts increased 15 percent, reportedly the largest increase in the state.

"It's the first time in five years that the city has not had to dip into reserves to balance its budget," Mayor Ernest Thompson says.

Federal Law Enforcement

Training Center

With a mission to train experienced federal law enforcement officers, FLETC (pronounced FLET-SY, like Betsy) hopes to double its classes this fiscal year. In mid-August, 114 classes with 2,887 students had been scheduled.

The center's 49 employees include 27 FLETC staff members and 11 members each from the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the agencies that conduct most courses here. Another 68 persons are employed in support services.

FLETC staff members train agents to become instructors in firearms, defensive driving and physical techniques. Agents then return home and pass that training along to fellow officers.

Renovations of the former college campus continued this year with remodeling of a classroom building. At a complex west of Artesia, pistol and rifle ranges and driving course were built.

Groundbreaking is set Oct. 20 for a 19,000-square-foot, $1.2 million physical training facility.

The city meanwhile plans to expand North 13th Street to five lanes, including a turning lane, adjacent to the FLETC campus and four lanes as far as the money will go, Mayor Thompson says.

David McKinley, FLETC deputy director and director of the Artesia facility, says he's pleased with progress at the center.

"We are making good progress in bringing the facility on line, consistent with our master plan," says McKinley. "The reputation of Artesia as a quality training facility is growing and this should attract even more interest."

Community support has been gratifying and consistent through the center's first year, administrative chief Howard Goetsch says.

VA Community Clinic

The Artesia Veteran's Administration Community Clinic with an annual budget of $650,000 treated 7,000 veterans from the surrounding area in its first year.

The staff grew from seven to 11, with two part-time physicians. The clinic provides specialized services in podiatry, psychiatry and social services. In December, the clinic will add neurology, director Bonnie Muncy says.

"It was sad to see the elderly because they didn't have the money to get the medication they needed and to have some type of treatment," Muncy says, "I believe we have given them a prolonged, more productive life."

Business

Navajor Refining Co. has let an $18 million contract to Flour-Daniels of California to construct a continuous catalytic regeneration unit, says senior vice president Bill Gray. The unit should be completed by early summer.