The Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce held our monthly luncheon on August 4th featuring an award presentation from PNM and a speech from Cobre Schools superintendent Dr. Jeff Spaletta. Our luncheon, held every month at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, serves as a venue to encourage interaction between business owners, local government, and the people they serve. It's a great opportunity for everyone to find out what is happening in Grant County, and how we can all play a role in making the county a better place to live and work.

The Duck Creek Smoke House provided an extraordinary meal that included brisket, pulled pork, and sides that included squash, green chili mac n cheese and homemade biscuits. The luncheon started with PNM's Community Relations Manager Bruce Ashburn presenting a rebate check to Western New Mexico University worth $73,614.03 for energy efficiency. The rebate check was the largest paid to a customer in Southwest New Mexico. WNMU's Board of Regent President Mary Hotvedt, and Kevin Mathes and Joseph Holguin received the check. The Chamber would like to congratulate WNMU's accomplishments for leading the way in energy conservation, reducing their carbon footprint and energy usage.

The luncheon continued with the guest speaker Dr. Jeff Spaletta. He began with information about his experience as an administrator and outlined the direction he wants for the Cobre School District. He also spoke about the school's convocation event and the career fair that was held at Cobre High School. His focus on the kid's education safety and well-being is a road map for success.

Dr. Spaletta has taken up the reins and has brought school spirit back to the mining district and has made it a point that he would like to help lead this charge. He understands that education is a crucial aspect of economic development, and economic growth is nearly impossible without a young, educated, energetic workforce. The Chamber welcomes Dr. Spaletta. Under his leadership and the leadership of Will Hawkins from the Silver Consolidated Schools district, they will develop tomorrow's workforce, in conjunction with WNMU. Together, we can make Grant County a thriving, dynamic place to call home.