Western New Mexico had a building with lots of empty space not being utilized. The University has made the commitment to assist with Economic Development efforts in Grant County. This includes creating a one-stop facility for people looking for support for their businesses, their employees, and/or creating/expanding a business. Thus, the Green Chamber of Commerce, Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Fort Bayard Historical Society and the Fort Bayard Restoration and Development Coalition, Small Business Development Center, WNMU Public Computer Laboratory and the WNMU Adult Education program are now housed in Watts Hall at 500 18th Street in Silver City.

The University understands the importance of creating new jobs, educating the existing job force, assisting small businesses... to help not only Silver City but all of Grant County and the surrounding area to change our current trend of losing tax revenues and losing population. By the way, WNMU is not the first, nor will it be the last University in America to create and provide such a facility within a community.

I do not work for WNMU, nor can I officially speak for the University. However, the remarks I have made above were conveyed to me and others in meetings that were held in 2014, as we discussed the possibility of creating this one-stop facility.

Sincerely,
Scott C. Terry
Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce