Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association

09/03/2026

🏆 It’s official, and today we got to celebrate it!

Today at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, the Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association was recognized as a Certified Economic Development Organization (EDO) by Economic Development New Mexico.

This recognition represents far more than a designation. It reflects years of building partnerships, strengthening our organization, supporting our communities, and working every day to create economic opportunity across Valencia, Socorro, Sierra, and Catron counties.

For eight years, I have had the privilege of leading MRGEDA and watching this organization grow into a trusted regional partner. Achieving Certified EDO status has been a goal we have worked toward for years, and receiving this recognition today was an incredibly proud moment.

But this accomplishment belongs to our entire region.

To our Board of Directors, members, community partners, stakeholders, local governments, businesses, educational institutions, and everyone who showed up and supported us throughout this process, thank you! Your partnership, trust, and willingness to work together made this possible.

We did it, Middle Rio Grande Valley! 💙

MRGEDA is officially a Certified Economic Development Organization! ✨️🏆✨️

From the Cowboy Way to the Milky Way. ✨

09/02/2026

🚀 How can our communities benefit from New Mexico’s growing space economy?

Our Future in Space Valley is coming to Q Station in Albuquerque September 28–29, bringing together economic developers, local governments, workforce and education partners, chambers, utilities, regional organizations, and community leaders from across New Mexico.

This isn’t just about rockets. It’s about how communities can leverage New Mexico’s incredible concentration of research, testing, aerospace, workforce, infrastructure, and space-related assets to create economic opportunity.

Participants will spend two days moving from opportunity to action—identifying regional challenges, building partnerships, exploring funding strategies, and developing practical ways their communities can participate in the Space Valley economy.

🤝 Community delegations of 2–4 people are encouraged.

📅 September 28–29, 2026
📍 Q Station | Albuquerque
🚀 Part of Space Valley Discovery, September 28–October 2

Space is limited. Register at SpaceValleyDiscovery.org.

08/14/2026

Save the date for this exciting 2 day conference for Southern New Mexico in November!
Truth or Consequences & Sierra County Chamber of Commerce

Enchanted Enterprise is taking shape, and this is your official invitiation to be part of it in a deeper way!✨

This conference is more than a place to learn how to grow your business. It's an opportunity to discover new ideas, build lasting collaborations, celebrate local businesses at the Community Night Market, make new connections during the Multi-Chamber Mixer, and strengthen our business communities across Southern New Mexico.

Applications and sponsorship opportunities are now open, and we'd love to welcome you as part of Enchanted Enterprise! Here are the deadlines to apply:

🎤 Speaker Applications close August 25th
🛍️ Vendor Applications close September 10th
🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities are available through October 1st
🙌 Volunteer Applications close October 10th

Find the opportunity that's right for you at torcchamber.org/snmconference

08/05/2026

Curious about geothermal energy?

Tonight, XGS Energy is hosting a community educational open house.

This is an opportunity to:
✔ Learn how XGS Energy's closed-loop geothermal technology works
✔ Meet the company's technical team
✔ Ask questions about the science behind geothermal energy
✔ Learn more in an informal, open-house setting

📍 Socorro Convention Center
1220 Highway 60 West
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Drop in anytime)
No RSVP is required.

07/30/2026

🚧 The banners are up! 🚧

If you've driven into Socorro today, you may have noticed our new Internet Installer Week banners welcoming visitors at the north and south entrances to the city!

This workforce initiative is helping connect regional and local residents with FREE Broadband Installer Training and career opportunities paying $18.50–$26.00 per hour.

MRGEDA is proud to partner with the City of Socorro, the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access & Expansion, and local workforce partners to help bring this opportunity to our region.

Supporting workforce development is one of the many ways we can strengthen our local economy and create pathways to quality careers right here at home.

📅 Internet Installer Week ✅ FREE training 💼 High-demand career opportunities 📍 Register online: connect.nm.gov 📞 Questions? Call (575) 524-6250

A huge thank you to the City of Socorro for supporting this initiative and helping spread the word throughout our community. Together, we're investing in the workforce of tomorrow.

07/27/2026

Curious about geothermal energy?

XGS Energy is hosting a community educational open house on Wednesday, August 5, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Socorro Convention Center.

This is an opportunity to:
✔ Learn how XGS Energy's closed-loop geothermal technology works
✔ Meet the company's technical team
✔ Ask questions about the science behind geothermal energy
✔ Learn more in an informal, open-house setting

📍 Socorro Convention Center
1220 Highway 60 West
🕠 5:30–7:30 p.m. (Drop in anytime)
No RSVP is required.

07/24/2026

🎉 Exciting News for Socorro and Our Region!

The Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association (MRGEDA) is proud to announce that we have been awarded a FY2027 LEADS Grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department!

We're also excited to share that this is our fifth LEADS award, reflecting years of partnership and a shared commitment to creating new opportunities for rural communities.

This funding will help transform the Socorro Regional Commercial Kitchen into a business incubator—a place where local entrepreneurs can learn what it takes to successfully operate a brick-and-mortar business before investing in one of their own.

Participants will have the opportunity to test products, interact with customers, build retail and marketing skills, and gain real-world business experience in a supportive, low-risk environment. Our goal is simple: help more local entrepreneurs turn great ideas into successful businesses.

We're incredibly grateful to the New Mexico Economic Development Department, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Cabinet Secretary Rob Black, and Deputy Cabinet Secretary Isaac Romero for their continued investment in communities like ours.

Thank you to our members, partners, and supporters who continue to believe in MRGEDA's mission. We can't wait to share updates as this exciting project comes to life!

07/21/2026

City of Belen is hiring a library director! 📚👓📖

📚 The City of Belen is Hiring a Library Director!

We are seeking an experienced, community-focused professional to lead the Belen Public Library.

💵 Starting salary: $78,769.60 annually

Required qualifications include:
✅ Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program
✅ Valid New Mexico driver’s license
✅ Ability to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test

Five years of progressively responsible professional library experience and two years of supervisory and administrative experience are preferred.

📅 Application deadline: Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MDT

View the full job description and apply online at:
https://www.belen-nm.gov/202/employment-opportunities

Help shape the future of library services in our community. Apply today!

07/09/2026

🚨Ready to Build a Career in Fiber & Broadband?

The demand for broadband technicians is growing across New Mexico, and this FREE training opportunity can help you get started!

📡 BICSI Installer 1 (INST1) Training
📅 Monday, August 3
⏰ 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 America's Job Center Socorro
198 Neel Avenue, Socorro, NM

Minimum Requirements:
✔️ Must be 18 years or older
✔️ Must have a valid driver's license
✔️ Must have a GED or High School Diploma

What You'll Receive:
✅ Industry-recognized training and certification
✅ Hands-on instruction
✅ Course materials provided
✅ No prior broadband experience required

💰 Potential wages range from $18.50 to $26.00 per hour, depending on experience and employer.
📞 To register, contact Rachel Lucero at America's Job Center Socorro at (575) 835-0067.

Space is limited, so don't wait to reserve your spot!


New Mexico Dept. of Workforce Solutions
New Mexico Office of Broadband Access & Expansion