outdoor economics conferenceFront left are Commissioner Gabriel Ramos, unidentified, Councilor Guadalupe Cano, Commissioner Harry Browne, Rep. Jeff Steinborn, WNMU VP Magdaleno Manzanares, Mayor Ken Ladner, Town Manager Alex Brown, Commissioner Alicia Edwards, Skywest Production Manager Sabrina Pack, Silver City MainStreet Director Charmeine Wait and Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Terry. (Courtesy PhotoBy Mary Alice Murphy

New Mexico Rep. Jeff Steinborn announced at the Murray Ryan Visitor Center in Silver City, NM, that the New Mexico Outdoor Economics Conference would take place Oct. 3 and 4, 2019 in Silver City.

"Last year, we held it in Las Cruces," Steinborn said. "We had speakers from eight western states. Silver City is the perfect frontier community to represent the outdoor space for 2019. Last year, more than 200 people attended. We are partnering for the 2019 conference with Western New Mexico University, the town of Silver City, Grant County, the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Silver City MainStreet Project."

He said the conference was not just to learn about how to create jobs and respect the outdoors and cultural heritage, but "we want to showcase the local community. We want to get into the Gila Wilderness, get on the Continental Divide Trail, spend time in the Mining District and visit all parts of the area and historic MainStreet."

Steinborn cited the $9.9 billion outdoors industry, which covers all parts of the state.

"You can register for next year's conference now at www.outdooreconomicsnm.com," he said.

He introduced the mayor of Silver City Ken Ladner.

"On behalf of the town of Silver City, I'm happy to welcome the conference," Ladner said. "We are proud to be a sponsor. When we were asked to be a sponsor, our Town Manager Alex Brown was present, and he said: 'Absolutely.' Councilors (Guadalupe) Cano and (Jose) Ray attended the first conference and came back excited. Financially, when visitors come to a conference like this, some see the community for the first time. They spend money and often they return."

He said another reason it's appropriate for the area to host the conference is the over three million acres of Gila National Forest, just to the north. "Contained within it is the Gila Wilderness and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. The Continental Divide Trail runs through the forest and wilderness. It covers about 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada. The Gila River is also a valuable asset."

"I have met with young veterans suffering from PTS, who are following the CDT on horseback," Ladner said. "Each veteran receives a wild mustang, tames it and bonds with it, then rides the trail with it. It's part of their healing process. Every time I go or anyone goes into the wilderness, we come out a different person, refreshed and renewed. We're happy you've picked Silver City for the conference."

Steinborn pointed out the logo for the conference has the Gila River and the Gila Wilderness on it. He recognized Councilor Cano and Grant County Commissioner Harry Browne for their presence. Steinborn then introduced Commissioner Alicia Edwards.

"This is a great announcement," Edwards said. "I would like to acknowledge the trails and trail work that has been happening for a long time without acknowledgement." She then gave statistics, including that outdoor use provides the fourth highest recreational spending—$887 billion in consumer spending, $120 billion in tax revenue and 100,000 jobs in New Mexico.

"This is a really important conference for the local folks," Edwards said. "It will show how outdoor recreation can make an impact on economic development. It's a way to grow. I've been advocating for an outdoor trails and public lands master plan and to make sure the conservation ethic underlies the plan. It's a great way to start a local community conversation, with access to preservation and a collective vision."

Steinborn recognized Grecia Nunez behind the camera. She videotaped the announcement.

WNMU Vice President of External Affairs Magdaleno Manzanares said: "On behalf of President Joe Shepard and the Board of Regents, we are happy to sponsor this conference. From an educational perspective, it goes with the university's mandate that we deal with what is directly in front of us—the Gila National Forest and Wilderness."

Silver City MainStreet Project Director Charmeine Wait said the organization is "absolutely thrilled to host the event locally. We enjoy access to the outdoors and it's a great way to share our community. We do not limit access to hunting and fishing. Our businesses are creating options to take care of CDT hikers. This is a town where you can park your car and walk and hike your way everywhere around town."

Scott Terry, president and chief executive officer of the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are not just the Gila National Forest and the Gila River, we also have nearby a ghost town, a monastery, the Mimbres Cultural Heritage Site, Mogollon, the Catwalk—we have so many wonderful outdoor activities. On behalf of the county, we are pleased you can use the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. You may take up the whole facility. We invite you to attend."

The place to register for the 2019 conference is www.outdooreconomicsnm.com .

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