Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University External Affairs and the WNMU Office of the President are hosting the annual Grant County Workforce and Economic Development Alliance (GCWEDA) strategic planning session scheduled for Friday, August 12, 2022, at the Seminar Room of the WNMU Student Memorial Building. 

The strategic planning event and retreat includes Grant County leaders in business, industry, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, local government, non-profit organizations, education, and regional workforce and economic development non-government organizations. Strategic planning focuses on critical infrastructure and projects designed to strengthen the region's economic vitality and resiliency.

"We are pleased to host this year's retreat on our campus and to provide full input on WNMU's core competencies in training, workforce development, community programs and outreach, and degrees leading to competitive careers," said Dr. Magdaleno Manzánarez, Vice President, External Affairs and WNMU's GCWEDA Board of Directors representative.

"We are in the second year of the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant support. This is a critical time for the organization's current projects and progression. We need to focus on current economic and workforce development priorities while addressing the need for GCWEDA's support renewal from federal, state, and regional resources," added Steven A. Chavira, Executive Director of GCWEDA since 2020.

Dr. Joseph Shepard, WNMU President will address the group during a working lunch session with key WNMU leaders in workforce and economic development present. The WNMU Office of the President is also co-sponsoring the working lunch and event.