The Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation normally hosts Cibola County Day in Santa Fe to welcome our four state representatives. The event is held in odd years for the 60-day session, but this year, Cibola County Day was cancelled.
Executive Director Eileen Yarborough stated the event did not transpire this year because the board was uncertain if restrictions would be in place due to the spike in COVID-19 cases. “It was best to err on the side of caution this year” the director said.
Cibola County Day is held every odd year for the 60-day legislative session. The purpose is to support the representatives of Cibola County because they will be away from home for two months. “We take Cibola County to Santa Fe,” Ms. Yarborough stated. She said dinner is held the night before, and attendance is by special invite, so all four legislators can attend. “We found it was better to hold the dinner the night before because some [legislators] would get caught in committee meetings or other work. We found having the dinner the night before was better so all could attend,” she said.
Executive Director Yarborough said the east and west halls are reserved with 20-24 entities involved – 12 groups in each wing. Setup starts at 8 a.m. and breakdown begins at 3 p.m. she said. “These are entities who represent Cibola County. The City of Grants, The Grants/Cibola County School District, and the NMSU College branch are some who participate.” Entertainment also involves members of the community. Ms. Yarborough said “The Butterfly Dancers from San Fidel and the Grants High School JROTC National Drill Champions got to perform during one of the events.”
Ms. Yarborough also stated, “We also make ‘Goody Bags for each legislator in the Round House, and we put items from Cibola County into them. The most favorite are the Milan Chile Chips.” She went on say it is a lot of work for the 30day legislative sessions so the event is done during the 60-day session. “The legislators are away from home during those 60days, so it seems more fitting to be there for them during those long sessions.” Ms. Yarborough also stated The CCEDF funds the entire event.
Executive Director Yarborough went on to talk about the purpose of The Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation. It is a 501 C (6) organization that formed to provide economic services to Cibola County, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan. She said the CCEDF pushed for broadband internet service and convinced Continental Divide Electric it would be a wise move. The CCEDF also advocates to fund economic development.
She said CCEDF is seeking solutions to bring in economic based jobs and advocates in joint efforts with the Grants Main-Street Project, the Mining Association, NM Idea, and the hydrogen effort. She also stated the CCEDF is exploring all opportunities and looking to create jobs by utilizing the assets of Cibola County.
“Outdoor recreation is a great place to start,” she said. She would like to see First Street open more shops catering to outdoor recreation. “Shops that sell or rent outdoor equipment would give people incentives to explore Cibola County’s outdoor resources, but we don’t have those businesses available yet.”
She is also thrilled that the CCEDF has a new permanent home. The organization moved from 201 Santa Fe Ave to the old TBK bank building at 1015 E. Roosevelt Ave. TBK Bank gifted CCEDF with the building so the organization would have a permanent home. She stated there is still work to be done with signage, and issues of it still being a bank building such as alarms, “but we’re working on it,” as she pointed out pictures that still need to be hung on the walls and having to get up to respond to an old active alarm.
Director Yarborough mentioned that she is going to have an open house for the public, and she also said she is planning a welcoming party for the representatives serving Cibola County to make up for not holding Cibola County Day at the Roundhouse. Director Yarborough hopes to have the welcome party sometime in early spring.