Mike Beckett of COAS Book Store pleads with our federal government to think very carefully about decisions that affect small business. “Small business remains the backbone of our nation’s economy and I’m going to stress – don’t raise taxes on small businesses! Also, when government mandates something like higher wages, it should provide opportunities to small businesses for offsetting those cost increases, thus reducing the likelihood of related layoffs.”

Keith Austin of Austin Jewelers believes the city should be even more pro-active in attracting businesses to the West Mesa and, as long as they are in compliance, allow East Mesa developers to move forward. “Growth related to the White Sands troop buildup and to Spaceport America can either occur here in Las Cruces or it will end up in Truth or Consequences and Alamogordo. Growth should be smart and well-planned, but let’s get excited about the potential and keep it moving forward. We are talking about a good balance of high tech and blue-collar jobs coming into the area that will allow us to keep more of our graduates here. I applaud DACC’s efforts to provide more training to meet this market’s growing requirements. I want my family to be able to grow and evolve right here with a growing and evolving Las Cruces.”

“City departments have been directed to make spending cuts to avoid a shortfall that might affect service levels or employment,” relates City Manager Terrance Moore, “but Las Cruces has a very positive horizon. The challenge is actually growth management. The City is working closely with Doña Ana County, Alamogordo, Otero County and the military in preparation for the rapid growth occurring at White Sands over the next five years. The result will be positive growth with a positive economic outcome that will trigger opportunities in the private sector.”

City Counselor Sharon Thomas thinks renewable energy can play a much greater roll in the future economy of Las Cruces. “Sapphire Energy (biofuel from algae) is locating here, but it is time to attract much more of that industry to Las Cruces. We have the New Mexico State Southwest Technology Development Institute that has been doing photovoltaic research since the early 1980s, and DACC is developing a program to train workers for the renewable energy industry.” Sharon suggests the City engage a Sustainability Manager, who can help the City orchestrate a wide variety of renewable energy and sustainability programs across our community and beyond. “The person in that position could provide support and coordinate efforts with all levels of private and public entities. We are on the edge of an energy revolution and we are geographically and meteorologically well positioned to take a leadership role in the production and use of renewable energy.”

Las Cruces businesses provide the services and products necessary for the local population and collectively draw people from all of southern New Mexico and west Texas. Hopefully the many positive factors in this region, including NMSU, White Sands and even El Paso, with the fifth strongest housing market in the nation, will convince our local population to loosen up their spending and hasten local recovery. We all benefit from that scenario.

So go ahead, spend some of those New Mexico quarters and Sacagawea dollars that you’ve been hording. Help your community by lightening up your savings account…it’s only money, and we have to start the recovery process somewhere. Whether or not the federal government helps, YOU are the true stimulus package for the community.