Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association

10/16/2026

🏗️ Proudly Made in New Mexico!

Today, MRGEDA Board members and regional partners had the opportunity to tour Arcosa Wind Towers in Belen, and what an impressive operation!

In less than a year, Arcosa has transformed a former furniture manufacturing facility into a major wind tower production operation, demonstrating the strength and potential of manufacturing in Valencia County.

A few impressive takeaways:

🔹 Producing approximately 5 wind towers per week
🔹 Each tower requires approximately 188 tons of steel
🔹 An 11-day production cycle from steel plate to finished tower
🔹 Utilizing rail infrastructure to support a national supply chain

Beyond the impressive manufacturing process, the tour highlighted the critical role of workforce development, infrastructure, and regional collaboration in supporting New Mexico's growing industries.

Economic development isn't just about attracting new businesses. It's about supporting the industries already investing in our communities and helping them succeed.

A special thank you to the Arcosa team for welcoming us and sharing an inside look at their operations!

City of Belen Valencia County Admin and Government

10/15/2026

Rural communities have big ideas, and partnerships help bring them to life! Join MRGEDA’s Kirstin Keller and Haoying Wang at Enchanted Enterprise on November 7 as we share how connecting funding, higher education, and regional partners can strengthen small business support across rural New Mexico. We hope to see you there! 🌱
Truth or Consequences & Sierra County Chamber of Commerce Visit Socorro Los Lunas is A Community That Works MainStreet Truth or Consequences

What happens when funding, regional partnerships, and higher education come together to support rural small businesses?💡

In their session, From Funding to Impact: Building a Regional Small Business Support Ecosystem, Kirstin Keller and Haoying Wang will share how MRGEDA is connecting resources and partnerships to expand access to small business support across four New Mexico counties.

Learn how rural communities can leverage funding, strengthen regional collaboration, and connect entrepreneurs with practical tools and resources to build stronger, more sustainable businesses. 🌱

🔗 Register at torcchamber.org/snmconference

10/09/2026

MRGEDA's Executive Director and Board Chair will be presenting at the Enchanted Enterprise Conference on Saturday, November 7th in Truth or Consequences. Register today and join us!
https://www.torcchamber.org/snmconference

Truth or Consequences & Sierra County Chamber of Commerce

10/05/2026

A newly-developed interactive website called Detect, developed by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and New Mexico Tech provides information on all aspects of energy in New Mexico. Click the link to find out more: https://www.news-bulletin.com/news/electric-power-generation-in-valencia-county/3132371

10/04/2026

Congratulations to Rosales Produce for winning 1st place at the New Mexico Chile Festival! 🌶🥇🌶
City of Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex Visit Socorro

10/02/2026

October 17-18 is the Gordy Hicks Hillclimb Challenge at Gordy’s Hill OHV Area in Socorro County. Race pre-entry until October 15th @ www.nmracecollective.com
New Mexico Race Collective Visit Socorro

10/01/2026

We’re proud to share that Economic Development New Mexico has officially recognized MRGEDA as a Certified Economic Development Organization!

This statewide recognition reflects years of work to strengthen regional collaboration, support our communities, and build economic development capacity throughout Valencia, Socorro, Sierra, and Catron Counties.

MRGEDA is now one of just 13 Certified EDOs statewide — and one of only two in New Mexico’s Southwest Region.

We are grateful to our Board of Directors, members, community leaders, and regional partners who have helped us reach this milestone. This recognition belongs to the entire Middle Rio Grande Valley.

From the Cowboy Way to the Milky Way — we’re excited about what comes next! 🚀

Read Economic Development New Mexico’s announcement below. 👇

https://edd.newmexico.gov/press-releases/ednm-recognizes-middle-rio-grande-economic-development-association-with-state-certification/

New Mexico Tech New Mexico Economic Development Department Los Lunas is A Community That Works MainStreet Truth or Consequences Truth or Consequences & Sierra County Chamber of Commerce Visit Socorro

Economic Development New Mexico has recognized the Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association (MRGEDA) as its newest Certified Economic Development Organization, honoring its leadership in strengthening economic development across the state’s Middle Rio Grande region.

09/28/2026

🌶 📆Save the date📆🌶
Saturday, October 3rd at 2pm is the New Mexico Chile Festival at the City of Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex 🌶🌶🌶
New Mexico Chile Association
Visit Socorro

🌶️ Come celebrate all things New Mexico chile! 🌶️

Join us October 3rd at the Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex from 2–8 PM for delicious chile from around the state, chile roasting, live music, a co****le tournament, and fun activities for the kids! 🎶🔥🌶️

Bring the family and come enjoy a true New Mexico tradition! ❤️💚

🌶️

09/23/2026

Economic development takes strong regional partners.

Today, MRGEDA Executive Director, Kirstin Keller, had the opportunity to provide the Socorro Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees with an overview of MRGEDA’s work across the Middle Rio Grande Valley and discuss some of the projects and opportunities moving forward.

SEC is much more than a utility provider. Reliable power, infrastructure planning, site readiness, business recruitment and expansion, and long-term regional growth all require our electric cooperative to be at the table.

Socorro Electric Cooperative is an important economic development partner for our communities and our region.

Thank you to the SEC Board of Trustees for the opportunity to share MRGEDA’s work and, more importantly, for the continued partnership. Strong regional collaboration is how we move projects forward and create opportunities for the communities we serve.

From the Cowboy Way to the Milky Way. ✨️

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. ✨