Small towns

New Mexico Business Journal, Dec, 1995

Most often, when people think of New Mexico, they visualize the bustling streets of Albuquerque, the galleries of Santa Fe and the agriculture of Las Cruces. But another New Mexico exists - the rural communities of New Mexico that offer abundant cultural, recreation, tourism and business opportunities.

Rural New Mexico has an abundance of affordable land and housing, beautiful natural surroundings, moderate climates and safe streets. The state varies from region to region, yet many communities within these areas offer the same small town benefits. State and national parks, wilderness areas, cultural and historical areas add to this unique atmosphere. This excellent quality of life is beginning to attract companies looking for a productive environment as well as peace and quiet.

Here are thumbnail sketches of New Mexico's small towns:

North Central

This region holds much of the state's soul, deeply rooted in the people and their connection to the sky and to the land. Breathtaking scenery makes this area a place where people want to stop and stay, fueling the continued growth of its economy.

Espanola, a commercial, cultural and religious center, is a contemporary city located in one of the county's oldest regions. Just 25 miles north of Santa Fe, Espanola is surrounded by the living history, of Indian pueblos and old Spanish villages.

The population of Espanola, about 9,000, has doubled in the last ten years as Santa Fe and Los Alamos workers have moved into the valley. The Johnnie A. Roybal Industrial Park provides 40 acres of city-owned property designated for light industry. Nambe Mills was recently granted $9 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds to finance a new facility in the park.

Nestled on the Taos Plateau against the west flank of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos is home to a 700-year-old Indian pueblo and is a thriving community for artists and business people alike. The Taos County Economic Development Corp. strives to bring industry to the town and recently developed the "Taos Food Center," a business incubator for those interested in starting a food-related business.

Within the walls of the Jemez River canyon, the community of Jemez Springs offers a multitude of diversions. A Zen center, a fishing-supply store, bath houses and Catholic retreats are all within close distance to pueblo ruins dating to the 14th century.

Chama, a quiet resort town about five miles south of the Colorado border, attracts outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. One of the most popular attractions in the area is the narrow-gauge railroad to Antonito, Colo.

Las Vegas is perhaps one of the state's ten best kept secrets. The former Santa Fe Railway boom town offers reasonable cost of living, hospitable community and breathtaking natural environment. New business additions to the area include Fibrotek Industries, MDF Molding, Custom IronWare, Medite of New Mexico and Wood-Tech Corp. The city has the Dee Bibb Industrial Park, a 42-acre development adjacent to I-25.

The small, scenic community of Mora, located in the rolling foothills of pinon and pine north of Las Vegas, was established in 1835. Present-day Mora has a population of around 4,000 people and is a popular recreational area with the nearby attractions of Morphy Lake State Park and the Pecos Wilderness area.

The Northeast

As you drive across the northeast it is easy to visualize the Wells Fargo rider thundering across the plains. This untamed wilderness is where the plains meet the mountains, the Cheyenne met the Apache, westbound settlers met their greatest obstacles and hard ambition often met with dismal consequences.

The town of Clayton is the area's commercial center, which is primarily agriculturally based. Clayton's population is almost 3,000, while Union County's is just over 4,000.

Principal industries in Union County include livestock, farming, tourism and carbon dioxide production. Amoco has production operations at the Rio Bravo Carbon Dioxide Field, one of the largest carbon dioxide deposits in the world. Additionally, Union County produces more cattle than any other county in New Mexico.

Raton, the northern gateway to New Mexico, sits at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Colfax County. The National Rifle Association's Whittington Center outside Raton is the largest competition shooting facility in the world.

The Annie Ruth Crews Bell Industrial Park, located nine miles south of Raton is an ideal location for companies involved in gun and bullet manufacturing, sporting goods and accessories, and other types of light industry.

The Northwest

The Northwest has been the home of the Anasazi (the Ancient Ones) civilization, but more recently, the mix of Anglo, Hispanic and Indian resources has created a thriving economy with a unique diversity that compares to few in either the state or the nation. Along with more traditional crafts trade, you'll also find coal mining and oil and gas exploration, and drilling and processing.