GGEDC director makes presentation before Gallup Council
This week, the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation released its FY 2012-FY 2016 report. The report, entitled “Moving Forward,” explains how core economic development programs begin with GGEDC and highlights the organization’s accomplishments over the last contract period.
The report outlines new initiatives that include the potential development of a super-center truck stop and a medical-health research cluster. Lundstrom presented the report before the Gallup City Council at the Sept. 27 regular city meeting.
“This summary report documents our present accomplishments, outlines future opportunities and provides an overview of the GGEDC’s approach to economic development,” GGEDC Executive Director Patricia Lundstrom said. “The GGEDC plays a critical role in the success of our city and county by ensuring that existing communities and all businesses can continue to grow and succeed through our initiatives, and I am proud to showcase the work that we are doing.”
Lundstrom noted significant organizational achievements:
Continued assistance with the development of the proposed Gallup Energy Logistics Park.
The development of a target industry study identifying “best fit” industries for recruitment, culminating in GGEDC’s attendance of nine recruitment and trade shows, as well as presentations before nine national corporate site-selector firms.
The launch of a business recruitment and attraction program that has generated 171 leads, which culminated in GGEDC’s hosting of 38 business site-visits.
The launch of a business retention and expansion program, which has, to date, met with nine economic base employers and resulted in one business expansion that created five new permanent jobs.
The establishment of an economic development website that promotes a business climate that has generated over 20,000 visitors and approximately 69,000 page views.
GGEDC received the Excellence in Economic Development Award from the Site Selectors Guild.
A member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, Lundstrom was selected as the 2013 statewide economic developer of the year by New Mexico IDEA, an organization of economic developers.
“We look upon the past with pride and to the future with great optimism,” Lundstrom said. “These are exciting times in Gallup and McKinley County, but our job is not done. From tackling work-force development, to preparing sites for future development, and responsibly managing our economic resources, our tasks remain challenging, but not impossible. And we will continue to work together to accomplish our goals.”
Mayor Jackie McKinney lauded Lundstrom for a job well done. He asked her about a possible upcoming special legislative session and projects currently underway.
