Eddy County and SENM reap benefits of economic relief legislation

Members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation said every corner of New Mexico, including southeast New Mexico, benefitted from federal economic relief legislation passed in 2021.

Sen. Martin Heinrich visited with Belen County and Valencia County leaders Jan. 18 to tout millions of dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for construction projects at airports across New Mexico, read a press release.

He said Carlsbad’s Cavern City Air Terminal and Artesia’s Municipal Airport received $295,000 each from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed Congress in late 2021 and was signed by President Joe Biden.

“Local airports create jobs and connect communities like Artesia and Carlsbad to tourism, business opportunities, and commercial aviation,” Heinrich said.

“Democrats in the New Mexico delegation fought hard for these historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that are modernizing our airports and allowing them to better serve travelers, health care providers, and businesses all across our state.”

Aaron Morales, Heinrich’s press secretary ,said New Mexico airports were allocated almost $18 million in federal Airport Infrastructure Grants and approximately $90 million through formula funding for infrastructure development for airports over the next five years.

More: SENM airports share $3M in federal money for improvements

Morales said New Mexico airports received funding from the American Rescue Act Plan passed in early 2021 to rebuild services and focus on job and economic opportunities.

SENM shares economic development money

Heinrich, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Rep. Melanie Stansbury welcomed over $1 million in grant funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for New Mexico.

The Southeastern Economic Development District(SNMEDD) from Roswell shared $210,000 with four other economic development agencies across New Mexico, according to a news release from the Congressional delegation.

“The Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District was formed in 1971, in order to increase local government understanding of federal programs and to provide planning and development management services on a regional basis,” according to the agency’s website.

More: Eddy County GRT reported at $1.8B by NM Development Department

SNMEDD entered into agreements with EDA, the State of New Mexico and city and county governments in Eddy, Chaves, Lea, Lincoln and Otero counties, per the agency’s website.

“We are an instrument of local government jurisdictions. It is the largest planning district in New Mexico covering over 26,000 square miles,” the website cited.

The EDA investments supported development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for each economic development organization. The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap for regional economies, per the release from the Congressional delegation.

More: Bush’s ‘hydrogen economy’ still possible in New Mexico

"I welcome these grants that will benefit and strengthen our communities across New Mexico from Santa Fe to Roswell," said Leger Fernandez. "This influx of funding from the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Law will help create the foundations upon which our communities can thrive.”

Lujan said the planning grants led to growth for New Mexico’s communities and regional collaborations.

“The American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help ensure economic opportunities for New Mexicans,” he said.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Federal economic bills benefit Eddy County and SENM