Contact: Matt Baca, (505) 986-4737
or
Erika Martinez, (505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2014
Senators Lopez & Cisneros Laud Taos County Economic Development Corporation
Santa Fe, NM — Senators Linda M. Lopez (D-11-Bernalillo) and Carlos Cisneros (D-6- Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos) have introduced Senate Bill 269, which would provide $150,000 for Taos County and community organizations for economic development initiatives. A press conference is scheduled today at 1:00 p.m. in room 321 of the State Capitol to speak about the critical need to fund the program. The Taos County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) is a non-profit community development corporation, and has been serving Northern New Mexico since 1987.TCEDC is working with the county to expand upon their previous successes that include a 5,000 square foot commercial kitchen that has served as incubator for over one-hundred food production businesses.
The mission of the TCEDC is focused on economic development through initiatives focusing on the food, land, water and cultures of the region. It also provides the technical training and infrastructure to transition products into the mainstream market place. Included in these initiatives is the Mobile Matanza, which is a mobile livestock slaughter unit serving over 87 ranches within a 100 mile radius.
“The impressive work done by the TCEDC is well-known throughout the agricultural and food processing industries in New Mexico,” said Sen. Lopez. “With this additional funding, the county and the TCEDC can continue the economic growth that is especially important during the recent downturn the area has weathered.”
Products from the TCEDC kitchen incubator are now sold in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Los Alamos grocery stores.
“I want to thank the TCEDC for the efforts they have made on behalf of the people of Northern New Mexico,” said Sen. Cisneros.“Their educational and training programs have enhanced the quality of life for Taos and the surrounding rural regions. Our ranchers and farmers can now take their meat products directly to market, and our food processors learn how to negotiate the food wholesale industry. We want to make sure this work continues.”
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