Editor's Note: This is the concluding report on the Sept. 19 Gila Economic Development Alliance meeting.

The Gila Economic Development Alliance meeting then went into community reports.

County Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said he and others have met with four or five air carriers, including the present one, for the essential air service to the county airport. "Great Lakes would bump up to two flights a day; Mokulele Airlines would offer three flights a day; Pacific Wings, two flights; and Boutique Air, four times a day. Boutique has by far the nicest plane, a Pilatus PC-12. A flight would be about 55 minutes, with eight seats in the plane and a lavatory. We will be making a recommendation, with public input heard on Oct. 7 at a combined work and regular session."

Gary Stailey, resident, asked if flights could go to Phoenix and Albuquerque. Kasten explained the U.S. Department of Transportation would not subsidize two hubs.

Prsicilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, pointed out that Oct. 10 was the deadline for the DOT to receive comments from the public.

Kasten said Boutique Air would also offer a shuttle to Santa Fe for about $30 a rider. "We are in the process of talking to the airports that have service with the applicants. Clovis raved about Boutique Air."

Earl Montoya, Silver City resident and self-proclaimed watchdog, asked about flights to casinos, which may pay part of the ticket price. "I'm thinking out of the box to give us breaks."

"In this scenario, none of us is part of the negotiation," Kasten said. "We get to comment and recommend, but we don't make the decision. The DOT does."

Mimi Clark of Western New Mexico University said students were planning Homecoming this year. Sept. 28 will feature an alumni golf tournament. The theme of the carnival is Back to the Future. She also announced the grand opening of Light Hall to be Oct. 2.

Jeremy and Jamie Lewis, owners of Furniture Gallery are donating a bench to Harrison Schmitt Elementary School. "It's against bullying and a place for students to go to when they feel blue," Jamie Lewis explained.

Chelsea Hotchkiss of Insurance First said she has a career position opening. "I will train. I am teaming with Workforce Connections."

Kevin Cook of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. said the Freeport Community Investment Fund application window is open, with the deadline December 1. "We have $500,000 to give to non-profits. The awards will be made in March 2015. Out in the mines right now is the United Way drive. Last year, Freeport gave $270,000 to Grant County organizations and non-profits."

He also said the Freeport Foundation is sponsoring two programs. The first is an earth science program for schools at digintomining.com. "It's not only for classrooms, but also for students and parents. On November 13, we will have a virtual tour of Morenci. The foundation is rolling out its Internet program, e-education for women's small businesses. It's a development program, using modules and utilizing Thunderbird's reputation. It is rolling out late this year or early next year. It's for solopreneurs to smaller businesses."

Paul Leetmae, Gila EDA member, said his automotive companies had about sold out of used cars last month. "I flew to Phoenix on Great Lakes. I like to fly to Phoenix and I like Great Lakes, when they are flying, but I also like to fly to Albuquerque. I will be a presenter next month at this Roundtable along with the owner of Smokey Joe's."

Kasten, who was on his tablet, said he wanted to give a plug to the Grant County Beat for a comprehensive article on the essential air service meeting held earlier that week.

Cook also noted that the Grant County Community Health Council would host a training for the CIF applicants on Oct. 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center Auditorium.

Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Terry commended the commissioners for imposing a 3/8 of 1 percent gross receipts tax to fund three projects, including renovating the interior of the Business and Conference Center "There are people who want to come here for conferences. They would bring in business. We are also trying to bring in Christmas events. A young professionals group is forming. Talk to Kim Clark or Chelsea Hotchkiss. We are also trying to bring the community into Homecoming. We have a weekly article in the Silver City Daily Press."

He also said the Chamber Board members voted to promote general obligation bonds, A, B & C, on the general election ballot.

Lucero said she went to Denver for a conference, where the SWNMCOG won an innovation award for the borderless initiative between the SWNMCOG and the Southeast Arizona COG. "I commend Emily for her hard work. We are in the final stages of the broadband implementation plan. We are also working with The Volunteer Center on a four-county initiative to create food production. We will resubmit, in hopes of getting the award, our application for the Promise Zone, for which we came in second nationally last year. This year, the Colonias Infrastructure Fund will have $17.2 million. The applications are due in January."

Lucy Whitmarsh of MainStreet Project promoted the All Souls Trails Race on October 25. "We are in partnership with the race, which is a benefit for the Silco Theater renovation. It will start at the Silco and head to Boston Hill. We are advertising and cleaning up trails. Our community is recognized for trail running."

Kim Clark of the Grant County Association of Realtors reminded everyone that the County Fair is Sept. 24-27 at the Cliff Fairgrounds.

"As for the real estate market," Clark reported: "At the end of August last year, we had 657 listings. This year, we had 758. The median sales price last year was $153,000; this year it is $161,000. The number of days on the market is up. Statistically the market is flat, and it's that way all across New Mexico."

Wearing her Prospectors' hat, Clark said: "We are coming into our busiest time of year. A capital outlay workshop will be Oct. 22 at the COG office. Applications will be available that day. The deadline will be mid-November, with the exact date not yet set, because the forum will take place Dec. 2 or Dec. 16. It has to be firmed up. The forum is where municipalities, non-profits and other entities present their wish list to the local legislators. Then the Prospectors prioritize the projects and advocate in Santa Fe. Our Grant County Day is set for Jan. 28, 2015."

Ashburn noted that two subcommittees have recently been hosted in Silver City—the military and veterans affairs interim committee and the behavioral health interim committee.

Lucero, wearing her Health Council co-chairwoman hat, also reported on the Red Hot Children's Fiesta, which saw about 2,000 people come through. "This month we are making presentations to local governments on the Health Council's fact sheet for each community."

Maureen Craig of Mimbres Region Arts Council thanked those who turned out for Pickamania! "We appreciate all the sponsors. And it's the time of year to renew your memberships. We have a great event on Oct. 17—the Las Cruces Symphony in concert."

Montoya challenged the Gila EDA to hold a special session on what has happened in economic development in the past 25 years, since the formation of SIGRED. "It's still the same. We are last in education. We are the poorest state, and are often labeled as the most corrupt."

Whitmarsh, as Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue chief, said the October Fiesta would take place, Oct. 4, in Pinos Altos. "It is also the finish line for the Gran Fondo (fundraiser for the Tour of the Gila bicycle race)."

Sandy Feutz of the Grant County Art Guild announced three "exciting" events: Sept. 23 at 5:30 is the reception for the annual Purchase Prize show; opening at the MRAC Gallery on Oct. 3 is an Old Masters Show; and Oct. 25 is Art in the Barn at The Red Barn.

Thacker announced Sept. 21 was early dinner at the Methodist Church as a fundraiser for Bridge Community.

Marti Trammell of Bridge Community announced Oct. 11 as the pie auction, also a fundraiser. "This year, we also have two quilts to auction."

Ormand asked those attending to encourage businesses to show up and share their concerns and network with fellow business owners.

The next Gila EDA Roundtable will take place Oct. 17.