Silver City/Grant County, New Mexico

New Mexico Business Journal, August, 1990 by Gene Peterson

SILVER CITY/GRANT COUNTY

A special profile written in cooperation with the Silver City Grant County Economic Development Corporation and the Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce

The Silver City/Grant County area is no longer a secret because thousands of tourists are discovering its beauty and retired families are taking up residence at an accelerated pace.

The four gentle seasons bring many back to this corner of the Land of Enchantment. Visitors come from Las Cruces, El Paso, Tucson, Phoenix, Albuquerque, adjoining and distance states.

In the last Mr. and Mrs. Golf Tournament in Silver City, 60 percent of those entered were from outside Grant County. El Paso, Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Eastern Arizona were represented.

The Frontier Celebration on July 4 and Mining Days in September always attract visitors; 16,623 visited the chamber office in a 12-month period. The chamber mailed out more than 10,000 packets of information.

Downtown Silver City

The growth of suburban communities in the past 40 years has transformed the ways Americans live, work and spend leisure time.

In 1977, concerned about continuing threats to traditional commercial architecture in economically sluggish downtowns across America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched the Main Street Project.

The project was designed to study the reasons downtowns are dying, identify the many factors that have an impact on downtown health and, finally, develop a comprehensive revitalization strategy that would encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation.

Silver City's Main Street Project is recognized as one of the most successful in New Mexico. Since its inception in 1985, over $2 million has been invested in Silver City's Historic Business District, almost entirely by private individuals. Few vacancies now exist downtown.

Economic Development

Copper mining is still the foundation for Grant County's economy. The industry has sustained many ups and downs in production, but copper prices rebounded in 1987 and have continued on the high side.

Total employment is 2,307 in mining. Phelps Dodge invested $5 million in its new solvent extraction/electro-winding plant, at Chino Mines increasing production by 20 percent and creating 25-30 new jobs.

The fluctuations of its only major industry convinced community leaders that diversification was not only desirable, but critical. To overcome adverse economic jolts, they founded the Silver City/Grant County Economic Development Corporation (SIGRED).

This began a concerted effort to expand employment, create more stability in the local economy and improve the quality of life. The mining companies, seeing the need for diversification, have been strong supporters. SIGRED, organized in 1978, has adopted an agenda to stimulate growth of existing businesses; bring new business and industry into the area; develop an industrial air park; convince more retires to relocate in Grant County; and develop recreational potentials.

The key element in SIGRED's plan is marketing. Retiree relocations are up; real estate sales are up; developers are expected to break ground for extensive housing developments; the corporation has purchased and erected a building on the industrial park site; and several prospects have already expressed an interest in locating at the park. SIGRED is also joining with Western New Mexico University to form a comprehensive Small Business Assistance Program.

Small Business Development Center

A new service offering a wide range of assistance to small business folks began last August and has been a tremendous success. Western New Mexico University and the Silver City/Grant County Economic Development Corporation (SIGRED) jointly started a program to help business people improve their present operation, expand or diversify the business or start a new venture. This is offered in special workshops or one-on-one counseling with experts.

Linda Kay Jones, executive director, is located on the WNMU campus in the Phelps Dodge Building. Dr. Charles Strang represents the university, and coordinates university services.

The Center has provided workshops featuring computer programming, business law, business planning and financial analysis. One-on-one counseling has helped people solve business problems and helped others decide whether to start a business. At least 150 clients have participated in the various workshops and/or private counseling.

SBDC is funded through a variety of sources including SIGRED, the Small Business Administration and funds set aside by the state legislature. The university donates in-kind services such as instructors and office space.

Industrial Air Park

The Southwest New Mexico Economic Development Corporation entered into an agreement with the Chino Mines Company to lease 140 acres for 40 years to develop an industrial park.

The Industrial Air Park is located adjacent to the Silver City/Grant County Airport just off U.S. Highway 180 about five miles southeast of the town of Hurley, and 21 miles from Silver City.