2008 Annual Report Executive
Summary
Cities of
Clovis/Portales Champion Community
The cities of Clovis and Portales have made significant progress over the year. Progress has been made in economic development, local governments, housing, education, transportation, and health care. One of the most significant was the continuation of Cannon Air Force Base. Cannon was placed on the BRAC list of the Department of Defense and was under serious consideration to be closed. It has since been determined that Cannon will not only stay an active Air Force Base but has received a new mission. Cannon is presently in transition from a jet fighter wing base to a special operations base. This has facilitated the building of new homes, sales of existing homes, hiring of new teachers, retail sales has increased, and the overall economic health of the area is continuing to improve. While the economic situation of most of the rest of the country is still in an uncertain and fluid state, this area has been fortunate and has remained stable and growing at a slow but steady rate. Two Economic Development Administration grants were written, submitted, and subsequently awarded (both grants written from Eastern Plains Council of Governments in Clovis) which have created jobs, increased gross receipt taxes, and have attracted business to the area. The Clovis Industrial Development Corporation of Clovis received $1.3 million dollars for infrastructure improvement at the Clovis Industrial Park and the Town of Clayton, NM received $1.1 million for infrastructure improvements at the Clayton Business Park. A 96,116 square foot events center was recently completed that will serve Curry and Roosevelt counties. The events center houses an indoor rodeo arena, concert facility, special events facility, and seats 3,300 people. Clovis Industrial Development Corporation announced a $90 million dollar expansion to Southwest Cheese Plant. The expansion will significantly increase the capacity of the cheese and whey plant and will bring an additional 50 high wage jobs to the area. The plant currently employs over 240 full time employees. After the expansion Southwest Cheese will be the largest cheese plant in the world and will continue to have a very positive impact to the overall economy of Curry and Roosevelt counties. Portales was pleased to announce the opening of a large tractor and truck repair business in Portales creating 20 new employment opportunities to the area. Sunland Inc., the largest producer of peanut value added products from Valencia peanuts in the country, expanded its operations creating an additional 30 jobs for the area. DariConcepts, the largest milk solids plant in the world, located in Roosevelt County, continues to expand its business, adding 20 new employment opportunities to the area. Eastern New Mexico University in Portales continued to expand throughout the school year and is now at record enrollment of 4,300 students. The students of ENMU continue to make a very positive contribution to the economy of Portales, Clovis, and surrounding areas. Portales has attracted an internationalfactory automation business (Tamaki Control for New Zealand) and will employ over 20 employees once production begins. Automated Dairy Systems Inc. an automated milking parlor service company from Idaho will be locating in the Portales area, creating over 30 new employment opportunities for the area. Phelps Engineering, an engineering firm from Albuquerque, will be locating a branch office in Portales creating 5 new jobs for the area. The cities of Clovis, Portales, and Melrose (all in Curry or Roosevelt counties) and the counties of Roosevelt and Curry, all received the maximum amount allowed ($500 k each) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) system. The monies will go towards much needed infrastructure improvements and a health clinic in Melrose.
Cities of Clovis/Portales Summary Page Cities of Clovis/Portales Funding Page