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GGEDC hosts Economic Roundtable on “Downtown, Tourism, and Energy”

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Proposals create positive steps for strengthening local economy

The Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation gathered with representatives of businesses, the arts, volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, tourism, energy, as well as city, county, and tribal officials at El Morro Theatre for an Economic Roundtable to discuss the work being done to boost economic and community growth through strategic focus on three key areas of the local economy: downtown, tourism, and energy.

During the roundtable, the group discussed how investments in downtown, tourism and business retention and expansion efforts present significant opportunities to grow the economy of Gallup-McKinley County while helping move the county toward a diversified and innovative economy.

“The Economic Roundtable is really growing into the role that GGEDC envisioned when it launched,” GGEDC Executive Director Patty Lundstrom said. “The Roundtable brought some of the most important stakeholders together for a very substantive conversation with top experts, and I think everyone took something away from the table. I look forward to working with our local economic development partners as we strengthen the event even further, and I see great success ahead.”

The program presented a plenary session with keynote speakers followed by group breakouts utilizing the bar camp facilitation method, and culminated with a collective session to review recommended strategies and projects. GGEDC partnered with the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, Gallup Business Improvement District, Gallup Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Gallup in facilitating breakout and plenary sessions, but also in the development of detailed white papers on each individual subject.

Joining the discussion were industry leaders from throughout New Mexico including Aimee Barabe, NM Tourism Department; Terri Cole, Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce; Elmo Baca, NM Mainstreet; Keven Groenewold, NM Rural Electric Cooperatives; Mike D’Antonio, NM Oil & Gas Association; and Matt Jaramillo, PNM Resources.

It is fantastic that participation was strong and participants will walk away with a better view of what economic development organizations and partners in McKinley County are up against during these tough economic times. Gallup-McKinley County’s needs are great, but our potential is unlimited.

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