From left are Dennis Alvord, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs, US Economic Development Administration; Priscilla Lucero, SWNMCOG Executive Director; Emily Gojkovich, SWNMCOG Economic Development Planner; Jorge Ayala, Regional Director, US Economic Development Administration, Austin Regional Office The Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments received the Star of the Southwest Award for the Renewable Energy Project which was awarded by the Economic Development Administration at the Southwest Region Executive Directors Association. The Southwest Region Executive Directors Association (SWREDA) is a voluntary association of executive directors of Councils of Governments and Economic Development Districts across a five-state region. The Star of the Southwest Award showcases the effective work of Councils of Governments/Economic Development Planning Districts.

The Southwest NM Council of Governments was awarded $250,000 to implement the SWNM Green Energy and Jobs Strategic Plan. Project Accomplishments include

1. Hosting Storm Water Harvesting Training
2. Hosting Green Building Training with ICAST
3. Installing 388,000 Sq. Ft. of local government LED Lighting Retrofits for facilities and amenities, saving 770,184 annual kilowatt hours and $91,348 annually
4. Finalizing Green Technology and Sustainable Food Business Incubator Feasibility Study.
5. Purchasing Bulb Crusher
6. Deciding with businesses throughout the region that the Regional Entrepreneurial Development Association would be duplicating efforts of the SWNM Green Chamber of Commerce
7. Creating a Renewable Technology and Sustainable Food Business Incubator Feasibility Study.