By Sandra Michaud

A group of about 25 people met with representatives of Senator Tom Udall Wednesday morning at the Visitors Center to learn about and discuss the Senator's CREATE Act. CREATE stands for Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy.

As they entered, signs posted on the wall of the conference room greeted participants with some interesting statistics:
"The arts economy contributes $2.2 billion in wages and salaries statewide (2014)"
"In New Mexico, the creative economy creates $5.6 billion in revenues (2014)"
"The arts make up76, 780 jobs (9.8% of the workforce) statewide (2014)"
"The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded $60,00 in grants to Silver city since 2009"
"The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded nearly $11 million in grants across New Mexico since 2009"

Rob Goldfarb, of My Southwest Adventure, kicked off the meeting with a time travel skit, with actors representing various aspects of local history.

Lee Gruber, Chair of the Arts and Cultural District Board welcomed the group, and said that the meeting was about the creative economy, "We welcome you to this incredible community full of the driving force of arts and culture and drives the economy that many of us believe is the answer to a small rural communityG