The other Las Vegas

New Mexico Business Journal, Sept, 1995

"It just seemed to have a domino effect," says Susan Strebe, who runs a one-woman real estate brokerage. "With the renovation, people took time to paint their houses and spruce things up. And the effect is ongoing."

Today, Old Town surrounding the Plaza is a pleasant strolling area lined with cafes, clothing and jewelry shops, antique stores, galleries, and restaurants as well as shops selling cameras, wrought iron, cycle supplies, and dry goods. There's a florist, pharmacy, bookstore, and shoe shop, and one long-time restaurant, El Rialto, has just opened a patio.

An Economy Grounded in Government and Small Business

With a population of 20,000, Las Vegas maintains a steady 3 to 4 percent annual growth largely through its reliable government employers - Highlands University, which employs about 550; Las Vegas Medical Center, formerly the State Hospital of the Mentally Ill) with 1,100 employees; two school districts employing 600; and the city, with 270 jobs. Other government sources of jobs are the Forest Service and the Highway Department, which maintain offices here, and two other institutions of post-secondary education, Luna Technical-Vocational Institute and the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West housed in the vintage Montezuma Castle.

The United World College is especially interesting. Students from some 70 countries come together for a two-year program joining academics, conflict resolution and community service. Las Vegas families host UWC students as "getaway families."

Altogether, about 50 percent of all employment is through city, state, and federal government.

The largest segments of the private sector are retail and tourism. Fifteen hotels and motels in town offer 517 rooms, while another 15 hostelries are located throughout the county.

Those moving in, mainly to rural San Miguel County, by and large appear to be retirees and telecommuters not directly involved with the local economy. "It's not an easy place to make a living," says Katherine Slick. "You must be able to find the right niche and able to weather the first few years."

Meanwhile, the city is working to recruit small business and light manufacturing concerns. They have succeeded with luring a cabinetry company from Massachusetts, WoodTech, and a sewing company from Colorado.

Harold Garcia is very clear about the kind of business the city wishes to attract. "What we want to do is bring in clean industry and jobs for Las Vegans. We want small businesses that are going to fall into play with the significance of Las Vegas. We want to offer jobs to locals if we bring in jobs," he stresses.

He is currently working with two businesses from Santa Fe wishing to relocate to a less expensive environment. And Mayor Martinez speaks of negotiations with a warehouse operation that may lure 400 jobs to a 17-acre site.

The city is also working to develop its Dee Bibb Industrial Park, a 42-acre development adjacent to I-25.

"The city government is very supportive of clean industry coming into Las Vegas," Garcia says, "and we will work with tenants who want to rent or lease city-owned buildings." But, he emphasizes, "We want businesses that can keep the character of the town. We want growth, but it has to be controlled growth."