The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce is under new leadership and is actively working to promote business prosperity and healthy communities in the area. Despite recent challenges and leadership changes, the Chamber remains committed to its mission of advocating for local businesses and fostering economic growth.
New Leadership
Les Gaines is the newly appointed executive director of the Chamber and the New Mexico Mining Museum.
Gaines said he is focused on steering the Chamber towards stability and growth, but he won’t be working alone. Heather Porter has taken on the role of chamber board president, bringing what Gaines called “dynamic leadership” to the executive board.
For himself, Gaines, has extensive experience and passion for the Cibola community, and said he is focused on ensuring financial security and catching up on pending tasks to facilitate business growth.
“We need to focus not on politics, but on what we can be united in,” Gaines said.
The organization itself is a nonprofit. The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce is designed to be an advocate for the business community of Cibola County. In the City of Grants, especially, the organization has dedicated a significant amount of resources to growing the tax flow by attracting tourists to shop and browse across the community. By organizing events like the Rugged West and collaborating with key local industries, the Chamber promotes community engagement and attracts visitors, boosting the local economy.
“The Chamber of Commerce is the negotiating unit or a unit for the businesses in our community,” Gaines said. “[It is] a collaboration of businesses that work in the best interest of our community and commerce.”
The Chamber is led by a diverse group of business leaders and professionals across Cibola.
Upcoming Events
Gaines said the Chamber has several exciting events lined up in the coming months. Two of these events will focus on the local development and celebration of Cibola’s businesses. The other, an annual event to celebrate Cibola’s outdoors as the summer comes to an end, are only part of the work the Chamber does to increase tax flow and visits to local businesses while helping to develop Cibola’s workforce.
Economic Impact Luncheon (August 8)
Dr. Megan Larson, a PhD in economics, will present her analysis on how outdoor activities impact local commerce. Using data from trail counters, she will provide insights into attracting recreational visitors to boost the local economy.
Mining Industry Focus (September Meeting)
The Chamber and New Mexico Mining Museum will highlight various mining operations in the area, beyond just uranium. Gaines spoke about the successful gravel plant operations and other mining industries like Peabody Coal and C&E concrete which will be showcased, emphasizing their contribution to the local economy.
Rugged West Event (September 6-8)
In collaboration with Cibola Outdoors, the Rugged West event will feature a UTV rodeo, drag racing, big-name bands who will soon be publicly named, and various activities throughout Grants. This multi-faceted event aims to attract visitors and provide a fun-filled weekend for locals.
The Chamber has recently added a job search section on their website to help local businesses find employees and promote workforce development. They also offer professional development resources, including a hospitality training video series with a $20,000 value, available for free on their website https://grants.org/ To increase visibility and support, the Chamber utilizes social media and highlights local businesses at their monthly luncheons. Gaines said these luncheons include 'speed dating' sessions where businesses can quickly present their services, fostering networking and collaboration.
New Mexico Mining Museum
The New Mexico Mining Museum, closely associated with the Chamber, remains a significant draw for the community. As the only underground mining tour of its kind in the region, it attracts visitors from around the world and serves as a reminder of the community’s rich mining heritage.
Gaines encouraged residents to visit and reconnect with their roots and the history that has shaped Grants and Cibola County. The museum houses the chamber of commerce at 100 Iron Avenue in Grants.
“Local people should drop by because it kind of reinforces the heritage of our community,” Gaines said. “You know, that were some of our roots from many of our families’ roots were here because of the mining industry. It gets us closer to our roots, to our ancestors.” Longevity and the Future
The Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce has a rich history of resilience and dedication to the community. Over the years, it has faced numerous challenges, including leadership changes and shifting economic landscapes.
Gaines leadership comes following a moment of conflict between the previous executive director and the Grants City Council who questioned how money was being used by the Chamber to keep the Rugged West event operational. The city has since clarified that issues like a lack of timing for councilors to properly review their lodger’s tax documents contributed to this conflict. Since, the city council has approved all of the funding requested by the chamber for the Rugged West which will be held September 6, 7 and 8.
However, Gaines is optimistic about the future, citing the new, dynamic executive board and the efforts to secure financial stability as key factors that will contribute to the Chamber's longevity. 'My goal ultimately is to get us financially secure, get all the things that we're behind caught up, and so that we can focus on what needs to be done to facilitate business growth in our community,' he said.
Under the new leadership of Gaines and Porter, the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce is looking to the future with a renewed focus on economic development, workforce support, and community events, Gaines said the Chamber is dedicated to driving growth and prosperity in the region.