Amerika Rougemont, Reporter
GRANTS, N.M. — The Grants Cibola County Chamber of Commerce used its Aug. 14 Chamber Luncheon to recognize Corley Ford—the county’s only local car dealership—and to outline new partnerships, membership options, and upcoming community events.
Corley Ford was honored for its long-standing support of Cibola County. Owner Stacey Corley was acknowledged as a steady community partner, particularly for backing local youth sports so students can play regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The dealership has also been instrumental in supporting the Grants-Milan Rotary Club’s Backpack Program, which sends food home with students for weekends.
The Chamber also announced a growing collaboration with the City of Grants’ marketing team and the Grants MainStreet Project. Denise Hansen, Director of Marketing for the City of Grants and Grants MainStreet, has partnered with the Chamber to bolster events and outreach. Hansen shared an “outsider’s perspective” on revitalization, emphasizing transparent decision-making as key to sustainable growth.
Chamber leaders encouraged local business owners to join or renew membership, emphasizing the practical value of networking, shared learning, and community visibility. New, flexible membership packages are being developed to meet diverse business needs; some tiers will include event tickets and access to business luncheons. A new website and billing platform is expected to streamline member services and provide additional tools for promoting local businesses.
Looking ahead, the Chamber plans to host Rugged West, a two-day music festival produced alongside local businesses and Chamber members to draw residents out and into member storefronts.
Throughout the luncheon, speakers underscored that active member participation and engagement are vital to ongoing business education, collaboration, and countywide economic health.
In a separate milestone, the Chamber hosted its annual banquet on Aug. 30—“A Night of Pearls and Poker”— bringing the community together to celebrate, network, and recognize local achievements as the organization continues building a supportive business environment.