CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – The Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation publicly praised the recent approval of the Cibola County Housing Ordinance, calling it “an important milestone” in addressing affordable and workforce housing needs in the region.
In a statement posted to social media, the foundation said housing is essential to economic development, workforce recruitment, business investment and long-term community growth. The organization said the ordinance created a framework that could help Cibola County support housing development, pursue state and federal resources, and work with developers, local governments and community partners.
The Cibola County Board of Commissioners approved Affordable Housing Ordinance 2026001 on May 28, following an earlier April 22 action that moved the ordinance forward for publication of its title and general summary. The ordinance does not create a housing project by itself, but it establishes a local framework that could allow the county to provide certain kinds of support for affordable housing efforts, like land and infrastructure development, if private developers pursue construction in Cibola.
“This is an important first step, but there is still work ahead,” the foundation stated, adding that continued collaboration between public, private and nonprofit partners will be needed to move from policy to implementation.
The Cibola Citizen will continue seeking additional information on what the ordinance does, and which projects may be affected. Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher and Cibola Communities Economic Development Director Denise Hanson have committed to sitting down with the Citizen in the near future to explain how this project will help move the economy of Cibola forward.