By Mary Alice Murphy

Gila Economic Development Alliance Chairman Jeremiah Garcia called on attendees to give reports on what their organizations are doing.

Dan Otero, Gila Regional Medical Center chief administrative officer, said the hospital was celebrating Hospital Week and honoring its employees.

Scott Terry, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce president, said the organization is working on the July 4th activities. Because of the bridge demolition and construction, the parade route will change, with a line up on Hudson just south of Broadway in front of the bridge project. The parade will travel only on Hudson and end by Daylight Donuts.

Vendor and booth applications are being accepted and can be picked up at the chamber office in Watts Hall.

Skip Thacker of Bridge Community said he had no report unless someone had a spare $14 million ready to put toward the construction of the planned assisted living-through-hospice facility.

Mike Trujillo of First American Bank said interest rates continued to be low for mortgages-3.5 percent for 15-year loans and 4 percent for 30-year loans. "The housing market here is still a little slow."

Christine Logan, area representative from the New Mexico Economic Development Department, said that in early July the New Mexico Partnership would be bringing in site selectors for several companies. "I will get with them to promote Southwest New Mexico."

Chelsea Hotchkiss, wearing her 24 Club "hat," instead of her insurance agency hat, said she is chairwoman of the group's annual home tour, its main fundraiser of the year for scholarships. Tickets cost $20 each.

"There are eight stops, all in the Mimbres, with three giveaways along the tour," Hotchkiss said. "The date is Sunday, June 7, from 1-4 p.m."

Kevin Cook, representing Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., said the copper business in New Mexico is healthy. "Chino is the lowest-cost producing mine in North and South America. Chino is also consistently the No. 2 or No. 3 volume producing mine."

Tim Padilla of Southwest Computers said his computer business is going well, and will be moving into a larger location within a couple of months. "We do computer repair and install Dish network equipment."

Emily Schilling of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments said she is working on a frontier application for Bayard for the MainStreet Project. "We have also partnered with Western New Mexico University for a film festival going on in conjunction with the Gila River Festival."

County Commissioner Ron Hall said the county continues with its projects to renovate the conference center, develop the substance abuse treatment continuum of care and renovate the Courthouse. "I thank PNM for coming down to explain the issues."

Cynthia Bettison, Silver City town councilor, said the city is moving forward, although it will face a decrease in revenues with the loss of hold harmless beginning July 1.

Linda McArthur of the Small Business Development Center said the agency is gearing up to present the Economic Development Course in July. "We have several graduates here. It's an opportunity to find out what's involved in economic development."

Alan Townsend, who took over Simon Ortiz's Allstate Insurance agency, said he had been in New Mexico for nine years. "It's amazing to see, with so much coal burning, our pristine skies, our pristine water."

Peter Burrows, representing the Grant County TEA Party, said the group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Woman's Club. In June, the meeting will feature Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity presenting the response to Laura Schneberger's opposition to the introduction of the Mexican Gray Wolf.

Pat Hunt of the Natural Resources Conservation Service said her office provides services, including technical assistance, to land owners, as well as on wildland-urban interface issues. "We work with state Forestry and the Soil and Water Conservation districts."

Connie Glenn of Workforce Solutions said office personnel are going into the schools working on the WorkKeys program to get students skilled for jobs. The Workforce Assistance Act (WIA) has changed its name to Workforce Assistance Opportunities to provide youths opportunity to learn as they go. "With my Recycling Advisory Council hat, we are putting recycling bins in Gough Park."

Logan said on Saturday, May 16, the Paquimé Connection would begin with a tour of MainStreet, then, would hold a meeting to develop a plan to join and promote the archaeological interests in the U.S. and Mexico.

A representative of Western Bank said banking "is in interesting times right now. But I think we have better rates than Mike."

Ted Pressler said members of WILL had a wonderful time with former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman when he came down and spoke to a large group.

"Western Institute of Lifelong Learning will offer 22 summer courses and 65 in the fall. That's a good deal for $75 a year," Pressler said. "Also, the Silver City Community Theater will perform a comedy at Light Hall, June 11, 12, 13 and 14. The Southwest Festival of the Written Word will take place Oct. 2-4, with 50 authors lined up to speak."

Joe Ramirez, owner of Mi Ranchito foods in Bayard, thanked the Gila EDA for sponsoring the Roundtables. "Don't forget to support your local businesses."

McArthur introduced the SBDC's new director, Jane Janson.

"I just came back from meeting the other 19 directors across the state," Janson said. "They have a breadth and depth of business knowledge we can tap into. It's not just us."

As a volunteer, Janson reminded people about the upcoming 20th Annual Blues and Bike Festival, May 22-24. "It's free, so come and enjoy. This year, pop-up tents will not be allowed, nor will dogs be allowed in the park."

Garcia said part of the mission of the Gila EDA is to retain businesses in Grant County. "Alotta Gelato is a successful business, but the owner wants to retire. You business owners need to find someone now to take over your business. We have to market our businesses."

Townsend noted that Alotta Gelato needs to be marketed outside of the area. "Our boundaries are not just Silver City. Someone might want to move here and take over an existing business."

Bettison, representing the WNMU Museum, said projects inside the museum are moving forward paid for by the general obligation bond money passed in 2014. "Architects are in the planning phase for air-conditioning for the first time in 100 years and for fire suppression systems to be put into the building."

Cook also recognized the Grant County Community Foundation for organizing the Give Grandly Day, which raised, in 24 hours, more than $92,000 for some of the more than 100 non-profits in Grant County. Last year, in 24 hours, $56,000 was raised; this year, $92,000. "That's amazing for a county of our size."

Bruce Ashburn of PNM said the company had recently awarded its Power Up Grants. "Thank you for the applications. I can guarantee if you don't apply, you don't get grants."