Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Silver City MainStreet is coordinating a program to commemorate the Train Depot that was built in 1915 and demolished in 1975. Though we do not currently have any rail service in Silver City, there is significant interest in the contribution that the railroad in Silver City made to the development of the community. By remembering what we no longer have, we can learn about preserving our heritage and the buildings that are significant to our community before the structures are lost.
The Gila Economic Development Alliance is partnering with Western New Mexico University to host a special roundtable presentation educating the public of the services offered by Boutique Air. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m. in Light Hall Auditorium. The airline service is new to Grant County, recently replacing Great Lakes Airlines, as the sole airline provider at the Grant County Airport. Mat Butcher, Director of Operations for Boutique Air will be available for a presentation about the service followed by a Q&A period with attendees. Boutique Air offers daily flights from Silver City to Albuquerque.
Gov. Susana Martinez says more investment in water infrastructure will ensure New Mexico can capitalize on economic development opportunities. According to the Associated Press, without sustainable sources of clean water, she says companies won’t be interested in investing in New Mexico. State officials estimate New Mexico has more than $1 billion in water infrastructure needs. Martinez says legislation she recently signed into law will help by making smaller municipal water associations eligible for state loans. The legislation also extends the loan payback period to 30 years.
An official with Arizona-based La Frontera said Monday the organization will pull out of southern New Mexico entirely as a Medicaid-funded behavioral health provider. That’s after recent talks didn’t pan out among La Frontera, the state and major health plans that administer Medicaid dollars for mental health care and substance abuse treatment. Part of La Frontera’s decision to leave is tied to an analysis of its operations from an outside consultant. La Frontera’s extended departure time line, which is not finalized, means La Frontera won’t halt all its services by May 31, a time line specified in an official departure notice filed two months ago with the health plans.
