Summary Facilitation Report

for

Strategic Planning Session of the Deming-LunaCounty Economic Development Corporation on September 16-17, 2009

1.0Introduction

The Deming-Luna County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has been in operation for more than 20 years. It has performed several roles: advisory to Luna County, the City of Deming and the Village of Columbus; collector and disseminator of economic data; contact point for new businesses interested in investment in the County or the municipalities; facilitating or coordinating meetings and/or strategies to accommodate new business; and, on-going liaison with existing businesses in the County and the municipalities.

The EDC recently took inventory of its role and activities and decided it was time to review what it does and how it does it; what it should be doing and how it should do it; and, what will be needed to accomplish its goals and objectives. A Strategic Planning Session was determined to be the best way to accomplish much of what was thought to be needed. The Strategic Planning Session took place over a period of one and one-half consecutive days on September16 and 17, 2009.

The Session was well attended by EDC members, Deming Chamber of Commerce, and Mimbres Valley Authority Committee members and others.

The major thrust of the Planning Session was a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses. Consideration of some basic EDC Board actions regarding purpose, organization and composition was also part of the Session.

The Planning Session covered three principal areas:

  1. a general discussion of the EDC Strengths and Weaknesses together with external strengths and weaknesses and a listing of economic opportunities;
  2. identification of seven (7) major areas of opportunity and an analyses of the strengths and weaknesses (EDC and external) of each opportunity and possible strategies for overcoming the weaknesses; and,
  3. a basic action plan (objectives, strategies, responsibilities and time frame) for the EDC and for three (3) opportunities selected by the Group as the three priorities for the EDC to pursue.

The Planning Session was facilitated by Resources for Excellence Incorporated.

1.1EDC Commitment

The EDC is to be commended on its commitment to move ahead with a plan that involves much self-evaluation. The commitment to plan is the first major step in any strategic planning process and the EDC has made that commitment. The Strategic Planning Session that has now taken place was very intensive and the Group involved took a hard look at itself and at its strengths and weaknesses. The Group has come up with some reasonable strategies to overcome weaknesses and to move forward.

1.2Possible Mission Statement

A brief discussion took place with respect to a mission statement. The facilitators suggested that the Purpose of the EDC as set out in its Bylaws, with a small addition, be the basis for a mission statement so that a possible mission statement might be as follows:

“To stimulate economic development in Deming/Luna County through a program of organization, promotion, design and economic revitalization, and to receive, distribute and administer funds in connection with activities related to the above purposes for the benefit, economic and social, of the residents of Luna County.”

This is a suggested mission statement only and the statement may be modified as the EDC deems appropriate. It is to be kept in mind that a mission statement should answer 3 basic questions: what is it that we do, who we do it for and how we do it. The statement should be as short as possible, not have detailed information and usually have no more than 50 words.

NOTE (Facilitator Comment): At several points during the Session, comment was made that the Village of Columbus is excluded from the EDC name and that it is a separate entity with an identity of its own. Thought should be given to adjusting the EDC name to include Columbus and statements and strategies should refer to all three entities: City of Deming, LunaCounty and Village of Columbus.

2.0General Discussion: Economic Development Corporation Strengths and Weaknesses,External Strengths and Weaknesses, and Economic Opportunities-Current Situation

The group was asked to list all of the current strengths and weaknesses of the EDC as it was now comprised and as it now operated. The group was also asked to list all of the external strengths and weaknesses. The group then focused on developing a full list of economic opportunities without trying to distinguish between EDC opportunities and external opportunities. It was recognized that some of the external strengths might be considered opportunities.

All of this information appears in the table that follows.

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Economic Development Corporation (EDC) / External / Economic Opportunities
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strengths / Weaknesses
Commitment /
  • Marketing efforts could be better – don’t always get the best message out
/ Strategic proximity to transportation modes and other states /
  • Mexico – instability and violence
/ Build relationships with incoming organizations like Border Patrol
Professional staff /
  • Lack of Vision and Mission
/ Climate /
  • Polarization of community
/ What services will new organizations need?
Financially sound /
  • Individual roles
/ Low-tax base /
  • Lack of use of technology (Notall tech. is available)
/ Additional service opportunities from new business
Positive reputation in the state /
  • Corporation roles
/ Relationship with Mexico Border /
  • Retirement Community – donot bring youth to community
/ Galleries, Festivals, Museums, Amphitheater
Good mix of members /
  • No strategic plan
/ Retirement Community /
  • Unwillingness to change
/ Housing for newcomers (Attraction)
Flexible - ability to act quickly /
  • Sometimes too reactive
/ Recognize social/health issues and solution oriented /
  • Abject poverty – social service issue/health
/ Eating facilities along the border
Resourceful /
  • Consistency – structure, organization, meeting times
/ Draw for travelers /
  • Business taking money out of town
/ Build education system thru higher wages/language
Open to self-evaluation /
  • Cultural gap (Hispanic businesses)
/ Low-wage workforce /
  • Communication issues (Columbus to Deming is long distance telephone call)
/ Attracting new businesses (Funding, marketing, social opportunity)
Prepared to respond /
  • Little diversify in age of members
/ Education – MV LearningCenter /
  • High unemployment
/ Night-life, dancing, retail, service (Walgreen’s)
Realistic about opportunities in economic development /
  • Accessibility to EDC
/ Access to State Parks /
  • Lack of primary businesses
/ Tourism – a brand
Motivated /
  • May not have all the players at the table
/ Recreation complexes /
  • Workforce: Diversity in skills and low wage may invite businesses we don’t want
/ Golf Course – great facility
Members are rooted in the community /
  • Lack of liability in by-laws
/ Burgeoning art community /
  • Lack of workforce numbers
/ Historical assets – Poncho Villa, Airport
Economic Development Corporation (EDC) / External / Economic Opportunities
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strengths / Weaknesses
Longevity of EDC members /
  • Lack of coordination with other organizations and CountyEconomic organizations
/ Good healthcare facilities and staff /
  • Lack of curb appeal – homeless
/ Clean-up community to attract visitors
Commitment of various economic components of community /
  • Consistency in purpose and message
/ Rural Transit District /
  • Communication between workers and management – language barriers
/ Airport presence
Solid success (overt and subtle) /
  • Unnecessary competition between political jurisdictions
/ Luna County Housing Corporation helps deal with poverty /
  • Communication – re: Tapping into funds for businesses
/ Amtrak stop/depot
Generosity in giving time / Small business are the backbone of the community – more employment /
  • Open restaurant facilities later in the evening or off hours
/ Renewable energy
Strong literacy program and dual language program /
  • Road block to new developments – get beat-out on projects
/ Retirees
Strong Motel/Hotel presence – beds /
  • Reliance on State Funding
/ Cedar Street – wine, chili
Good service organizations /
  • Responding quickly to newcomer needs for housing and jobs for spouses
/ Workforce development (retirees)
Access to State and Federal funding / Get the word out about Deming as a great place to live and work
Apprentice program for builders – program is at the high school
Retaining local population – shoppers, youth
Refrigerated storage facility (border foods)
Economic Development Corporation (EDC / External / Economic Opportunities
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strengths / Weaknesses
Explore/Identifybusiness related needs
Having an identity or theme for community
Balance: Build on heritage and Duck races and other events and venues
Convey message of strategic plan to political jurisdictions
Using social networks to get the word out (MySpace, Face Book, Twitter, etc)
Wine Festival
Sustainable Economic Development options

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3.0Major Economic Opportunities

3.1The group was asked to review the list of opportunities identified in the previous exercise, Section 2.0, and set out in the previous table, and group these into broad categories of opportunities. The Group chose the following seven (7) general categories as best representing the range of opportunities that the EDC and the County and the municipalities could realistically pursue.

  • Business Development
  • Tourism
  • Housing
  • Renewable Energy
  • Infrastructure
  • Retirement Community (Planning)
  • Education

3.2Seven (7) Major Economic Opportunities: Strengths & Weaknesses, and Strategies to Overcome the Weaknesses-Summary Table

The Group was divided into four working groups for the purpose of performing a basic strengths and weaknesses analyses. This was done for each of the 7 major economic opportunities and it was done from the points of view of the EDC and External issues. For each opportunity, the strengths and weaknesses of the EDC, as it is presently constituted, to accomplish the specific opportunity were listed. Then, for each weakness identified the working group prescribed a strategy for overcoming that weakness. The same process was followed for External strengths and weaknesses for each opportunity.

Each working group described its findings and the Group as a whole then discussed the findings and added to them as appropriate.

This analysesare set-out in detail in the table that follows.

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Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Business Development / Certified Community /
  • Lack of coordination of efforts among all organizations
/ City/County Recruitment Team with EDC Rep /
  • Certified Community
/ Access to enterprise credit/funds /
  • Establish a Revolving Loan Fund

Local Government support /
  • No “Recruitment” Team
/ Receive Target suggestions from EDC /
  • “Doing Business…” Booklet
/ Clean-up existing Industrial Park /
  • Partner with SBDC and (Scope??) (Serve as Educational Resource)

Track record/reputation /
  • Increased visibility with elected officials
/ Formal Reps. From other ED organizations on EDC /
  • Available Industrial land
/ High Vacancy rate and Absent Property Owners /
  • P & Zoning/Code Enforcement – City & County participation

  • Ability to influence spending money
/ Periodic reporting from other ED Organizations /
  • NorthIndustrial Park for “Big Business”
/ Limited water Resources /
  • Coordination with Realtors/marketing spaces

  • Reactive rather than Proactive – No target Industries
/
  • Land
/ More events /
  • Limit recruitment to one large water user and prudent future planning

  • By-Laws
/
  • Retiree Demographic:
**Housing
**Retail
**Medical / Underutilizing Venues /
  • Sports events

  • I-10 proximity/traffic
/ No retention efforts /
  • Wine and Music Festival

  • Weather
/ No access to Fiber Optics /
  • Approach PRC with access to fiber optics

  • Local Events are well done
/
  • Outreach to existing businesses

  • Infrastructure:
**Transportation
**Communication
**Education Opportunities (post secondary)
  • New Venues Planned
(Ball Fields)
Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Tourism / Diversified EDC with knowledge resources (staff/Board) /
  • Coordination - Lack of a paid coordinator
/ Develop Marketing Plan /
  • Four (4) State Parks
/ Marketing (State, International) /
  • Funding for an assistant paid coordinator

Longevity /
  • Focus on business development versus other economic opportunities
/ Develop relationship with TDC /
  • One (1) StateMuseum
/ Networking (Communications) /
  • Promote Chamber calendar of events (all inclusive)

Commitment to Deming’s sustainable growth /
  • Outreach:
**Trade shows
**Media
**Etc / Attend Conferences /
  • Climate
/ Under utilization of facilities /
  • Develop outreach plan to include inter-state events, conferences, trade shows, media

Volunteerism is great! / Inventory of Facilities and brainstorm special events based on inventory of facilities /
  • Wineries
/ VoiersPark (PitPark)
Willingness to learn / Develop a relationship with American Trade Council /
  • Southern hub – Interstate – Gateway
/ No support for new, creative events
(Bike Rallies)
Board has an investment / Promote Chamber calendar of events (all inclusive) /
  • Great accommodations
/ Taking Advantage of International Trade
Open-minded /
  • Great American Duck Race
/ Community collaboration for events
Confidentiality /
  • Adequate facilities for events

  • History – Buildings, Farming, Ranching, etc

  • Golf Course – lowest fees

  • Lodger’s tax is lower

Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Housing / Resourceful /
  • Market knowledge
/ Interface with Deming Realtor Board – recommend representation /
  • Affordability
/ Availability /
  • Talk to investors – collaborate with developers/builders

Motivated /
  • Communication with Government Agencies
/ Invite Government Representative to serve on the Board /
  • Available Land
/ Local Tradesman available /
  • Increase trades programs

Prepared to respond / Confidentiality Agreements with EDC Board Members regarding incoming and upcoming issues /
  • Water
/ Funding (loans) /
  • Aggressive code and clean-up enforcement

Knowledge of incoming needs /
  • USDA Funding (rural)
/ Fair value appraisals /
  • Zoning regulations for the County

Strong leadership /
  • Low cost of living
/ Lack of prompt inspections /
  • LocalState inspectors

Multi-family shortage /
  • Talk to water companies about Deming

Lack of CountyZoning
1 Acre minimum
Abandoned Houses
Renewable Energy / Professional Staff and Board /
  • New Concepts are underutilized because of price
/ Information sharing
(Training, feedback) /
  • Energy is fundamental to economic development
/ Short-term versus Long-term construction jobs /
  • Evaluation criteria to see the benefit of the project

Great Volunteers /
  • Lack of knowledge technology
/ Paid Assistant Coordinator /
  • Pay property tax
/ Government regulations won’t allow monies for economic development because of anti-donation clause /
  • LEDA Training

Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Renewable Energy (Cont) / Open-Minded /
  • Lack of participation at conferences
/
  • Abundance of sun
/ Lack of water /
  • IRB Training

Innovative /
  • Lack of paid Coordinator
/
  • Flat land
/ Lack of certified people in the field
(Construction maintenance repair) /
  • Anti-Donation Training

Board Members have knowledge on the Economics of Energy /
  • Tax credits
/ Training opportunities /
  • Water Plan – completed

Unity/Partnership at Legislative level of Silver Spikes /
  • WNMU – looking at providing certifications in this field
/
  • Develop Water-Source Protection Plan

Confidentiality /
  • Develop Drought Mitigation Plan

  • Partnerships for training:
**WNMU
**DonaAnnaCommunity College (NMSU)
Infrastructure /
  • Direct incoming companies to proper entities-political jurisdictions
/
  • Not aware of City and County plans
/
  • Invite appropriate City and CountyRepresentative to join EDC
/
  • Forward thinking
/ Lack of beautification and vagrancy enforcement / Increase code enforcement amenity program
  • Knowledge of workforce funding and programs
/
  • More members needed
/
  • Membership drive
/
  • Shared costs with developers
/ Lack of community water systems and sewage / Contact independent water companies about Deming and LunaCounty
  • Strong Leadership
/
  • Motivated City
/ Lack of competitiveness / Comparison study with other cities’ successes
  • City and CountyPartnerships
/
  • Grant writing
/ Ineffective Code enforcement / Review timeliness of truck by-pass
Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Infrastructure (Cont) /
  • Quality and quantity of water
/ Abandoned buildings / Grant writing to upgrade City and County network
Truck by-pass needed
Information networks are needed
Qwest is unreliable
Retirement Community (Planning) /
  • Experience
/ Do not engage in potential work with community /
  • Add Senior or SeniorCenter representation to EDC Board
/ Low cost of living /
  • Lack of Retirement Facilities (Housing & Healthcare)
/ Recruit industry Specialists Retirees to act as mentors
  • Members concern
/ Hosp – Health Care on Board (Geriatric) /
  • Representative from Hospital on EDC
/ Weather /
  • Assisted Living
/ Call Walgreens
Developer – Specialize in Senior housing development /
  • Recruit Industry Specialists
/ Public transportation /
  • Lack of Identity (Marketing)
/ Talk to Wal-Mart and K-Mart and Medicine Shoppe
Senior Programs /
  • Work Force
/ Hospital needs Pharmacy 24/7
Tourism /
  • 24/7 Pharmacy
/ Increase awareness of the need to train people to work with elder care
RV Parks (State) /
  • Border Violence

Available Technology
Public Golf Course
Border – low cost services
Education /
  • We recognize the importance of education
/ No educator on Board /
  • Outreach to the business community
/ Facility – Pre-natal to Seniors /
  • Lack of Awareness
/
  • Support the technology job center

  • People with marketing background
/ Poor marketing /
  • Recruit school cabinet member to EDC
/ Customized training /
  • Poor marketing

Opportunity Category / Economic Development Corporation / External
Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness / Strengths / Weaknesses / Strategies to Overcome Weakness
Education (Cont) /
  • Supportive of educators
/ Recognize use of available technology /
  • Recruit vocational programs or assist with transportation to Las Cruces
/ WNMU – LiteracyCenter /
  • Strengthen the relationship with the schools

  • Can react to market needs
/
  • Trades apprenticeship program
/ DACC (NMSU) – DPS /
  • High drop-out percentage

Funding /
  • Lack of Vocational Training

Available Retirement Community /
  • Low pay

Strong Admins – Schools /
  • Language

Available technology – home business /
  • Lowered expectation

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4.0Strategic Plan

The following EDC Board-related items were identified from the discussion and analysis set out in tables 2.0 and 3.2 with regard to board organization/composition.

Board Development Items:

Coordination of efforts among all organizations (Bus Dev)