Nathan Chavez, Reporter
GRANTS, N.M. – On Wednesday, August 17, the executive directors of “endeavOR New Mexico”, James Glover and Marianne Tenenbaum, came to the Elkins Brewing Company to outline ideas to help move the outdoor recreation economy forward in Cibola County. Working with “Once a Day Marketing”, a company that was brought on for this meeting by Eileen Yarborough of Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation and Evan Williams of the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments. Glover spoke highly of the many potential opportunities that the outdoor recreation economy has to offer for the community going forward. These included the creation of more jobs related to outdoor recreation, as well as increased tourism that could stimulate growth for our local businesses. James emphasized that the outdoor recreation economy is the fourth largest industrial sector in the United States. There are also more people employed by this sector than any other. He also praised our local resources stating, “You’ve got amazing outdoor recreation amenities all around.” There are ten sectors of the outdoor recreation economy, and New Mexico has all of them.
James made sure to point out that Cibola County has several types of national and state trails that lead travelers through the area and have the potential to bring in business along with them. These include I-40, Route 66, The Continental Divide Trail, The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and New Mexico Backcountry Discovery Trail. He stated “There’s only one place in the entire state where they all intersect. It’s Grants.” This places it as a prime location for growth.
Cory Torivio, founder of “Ancestral Lands”, works with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and was invited to speak at the meeting and expressed the importance of the Continental Divide Trail to many people across the nation as well as New Mexico. By taking advantage of these opportunities, it could give the local communities a chance to rebrand themselves as major travel stops for outdoor recreationists by using targeted marketing and commemorative items.
James and Marianne are also giving a work plan to the community with additional steps that can be taken to advance the economy. A plan is in the works to hire a staffer to help drive this initiative forward, and the possibility of monthly meetings for Cibola Outdoors.