Since I don't currently reside in Grant County I may not be completely aware of all the issues involved in the GRT debate.  However, being I was born and raised in Grant County I believe that some things have never changed.

Mr. West makes some very good points! No matter what the project is it should have a solid business plan. (The SBA does not lend money for start ups unless you have a business plan) It appears to me that some of the problems here are that the cart is pulling the horse.  I worked for Walt Disney World for 25 years and have the benefit of being privy to some great information regarding planning and development.  I would say that the first thing missing in Silver City is motel rooms.  You can expand your convention center all you want but you need beds if you expect people to utilize the center. Here in Orlando, FL we have 2 million square feet of convention center space, but we also have more rooms than any other city in the US.  So we can house those people coming to the conventions.

Swimming pools.  OK, my first thought is that if pools can pay for themselves in ll years why did the Bayard municipal pool close?

Golf Course.  I have played the Silver City course several times and while it does not compare to any of the 150 courses we have here, it surely serves well for the area it is in.  People who come to conventions will play golf but their families usually don't.

The multiplex.  Multiplex theaters depend on lots and lots of foot traffic.  Although, I really would like to see a multiplex in Silver City, I really believe that there is not enough demand (people) to make it profitable.  If Deming cannot make it work I doubt if SC can do much better.  Nothing to do with good/bad management it is just numbers (demand).

The baseball park.  Maybe that has a possibility of success.  Is the other park self-sufficient?

Ultimately the people of Grant County will be deciding what to do about the GRT.  I just hope that this is well thought out because adding to the GRT is no small issue.  All GRTs are regressive and since the out of work situation in the Grant County area is so bad, adding more to the sales tax sure makes it tough to chew.

Good Luck my friends!

Skip Munoz
Orlando FL