Lots of folks are singing the blues these days (and I am a true blues aficionado). The economy is on a slippery slope. Nobody knows where the bottom of the hill is. But......... these are the times legends are made. More millionaires have been made during economic downturns than in any other time in our nation's history.
I'm not saying I'll be one of those, but there may be one made in Tucumcari if we play our cards right. Businesses are looking for low cost options to survive and thrive, and if we can offer them one (and we can) we will be winners. We have "cost of doing business" comparisons with numerous other locations that demonstrate our ability to offer "quality at low cost". "Come on down!"
speaking of daylight saving time...... looks to me like our focus on renewable energy and transportation are right on target, eh?
Sounds like "electric" blues with a beat!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
SUMMER
Spring was here for a day, I think. Summer simply said "move over" so she did. It's been quite a while since we've seen much moisture, but it did rain the other day, I think. At least the clouds have hung around a couple of mornings, or three.
Tony's making real progress on his feedyard. That's a hidden gem that doesn't get much press. But I think it could be a real expansion from West Texas over time, and bring needed new dollars into the county.
The Racing Commission is coming to town next month, July 24 to be exact, and we'll get our shot at the last horse racing license in the state. That would create 300 full time jobs. Now we just need to find housing for them.
The Governor's Economic Development Summit will be here in October, and so will the state's Renewable Energy Transmission Authority. Good stuff.
Now, if we could just get a few raindrops. Glad I have a rock yard, I think.
Tony's making real progress on his feedyard. That's a hidden gem that doesn't get much press. But I think it could be a real expansion from West Texas over time, and bring needed new dollars into the county.
The Racing Commission is coming to town next month, July 24 to be exact, and we'll get our shot at the last horse racing license in the state. That would create 300 full time jobs. Now we just need to find housing for them.
The Governor's Economic Development Summit will be here in October, and so will the state's Renewable Energy Transmission Authority. Good stuff.
Now, if we could just get a few raindrops. Glad I have a rock yard, I think.
Monday, December 31, 2007
It's a Wrap.
Just to recap the past 7 months, and it's good that we take time to do that, we accomplished what we set out to do in our little corner of the world.
We completed our environmental scan, conducted a target evaluation, and compiled our Five Year Plan (complete with year by year spreadsheet).
We conducted target analysis of two of our six economic development targets, upgraded our prospect response piece, worked on "product development" by identifying our needs in workforce, housing, and regulatory processes.
We increased our visibility statewide and nationally through participation on appropriate boards and committees.
And..... we were able to get 4 long term projects under actual construction (Ute Lake Ranch, North American Wind Research and Training Center - well...it will be under construction in March....., Route 66 Ethanol, and Tucumcari Cattle Feeders). Whew!
But as Satchel Paige said, "It's OK to look back, just so long as you don't stare." So to 2008, we'll host a statewide renewable energy Summit in April, and we'll host the Governor's Economic Development Summit in early October.
We'll continue upgrading our marketing materials and image, and put the wheels on a number of programs spelled out in that Five Year Plan.
Most of all, we'll keep working with our allies, from our own city and county folks (great ones at that, too) to our state and national partners.
I don't know about you, but what's even neater about the whole deal is that it's actually fun.
We completed our environmental scan, conducted a target evaluation, and compiled our Five Year Plan (complete with year by year spreadsheet).
We conducted target analysis of two of our six economic development targets, upgraded our prospect response piece, worked on "product development" by identifying our needs in workforce, housing, and regulatory processes.
We increased our visibility statewide and nationally through participation on appropriate boards and committees.
And..... we were able to get 4 long term projects under actual construction (Ute Lake Ranch, North American Wind Research and Training Center - well...it will be under construction in March....., Route 66 Ethanol, and Tucumcari Cattle Feeders). Whew!
But as Satchel Paige said, "It's OK to look back, just so long as you don't stare." So to 2008, we'll host a statewide renewable energy Summit in April, and we'll host the Governor's Economic Development Summit in early October.
We'll continue upgrading our marketing materials and image, and put the wheels on a number of programs spelled out in that Five Year Plan.
Most of all, we'll keep working with our allies, from our own city and county folks (great ones at that, too) to our state and national partners.
I don't know about you, but what's even neater about the whole deal is that it's actually fun.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Wind and Water 1
I've heard it said that sometimes our greatest strength is our greatest weakness (and vice versa). In the western half of the United states that is indeed our "rugged individualism". It gives us the power to overcome adversity and face great challenges. It also causes disagreements from time to time by diluting our willingness to partner with others. I call that the "Nathan Wade" syndrome.
A close friend and I developed what we called the "Nathan Wade Award" a few years back and it would go each month to the individual that personified the ability to "shoot one's self in the foot". We even envisioned a toy soldier shooting itself in the foot as our "Oscar". (Nathan was the PIO at Environment who demanded a $10M security bond before granting a permit to allow one of our state's largest projects to open, a bond that could only be secured by freezing $10M in federal highway money to cover it!)
I think that has happened in every small town in New Mexico from time to time, even here. But we have in place now two critical elements considered within the development community as keys to the future: wind and water. Wind is seen as a key to economic growth and renewable energy. Water is seen as basic to community survival, and in our case (with Ute Lake Ranch) an economic driver as well.
Only time will tell if we are to become "Nathan Wades" or "Doers of Daunting Deeds".
A close friend and I developed what we called the "Nathan Wade Award" a few years back and it would go each month to the individual that personified the ability to "shoot one's self in the foot". We even envisioned a toy soldier shooting itself in the foot as our "Oscar". (Nathan was the PIO at Environment who demanded a $10M security bond before granting a permit to allow one of our state's largest projects to open, a bond that could only be secured by freezing $10M in federal highway money to cover it!)
I think that has happened in every small town in New Mexico from time to time, even here. But we have in place now two critical elements considered within the development community as keys to the future: wind and water. Wind is seen as a key to economic growth and renewable energy. Water is seen as basic to community survival, and in our case (with Ute Lake Ranch) an economic driver as well.
Only time will tell if we are to become "Nathan Wades" or "Doers of Daunting Deeds".
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