Courtesy of the New Mexico Economic Development Department
SANTA FE – Today Governor Susana Martinez announced the New Century Economy Summit to be held October 2 in Albuquerque and facilitated by New Mexico First, the state’s leading public policy organization that engages people on important issues. The purpose of the summit is to bring business, community and education leaders together to discuss policy recommendations to help position New Mexico for economic growth for the new century.
“The current climate created by our ever-growing national debt and lack of leadership at the federal level is threatening New Mexico’s job growth and funding for vital federal programs that take place at our national laboratories and military installations,” Gov. Martinez said. “We need to look at how we can make the best use of our labs, bases, research universities, and skilled and diverse workforce to attract new jobs to the state during these uncertain times.”
As the state commemorates its centennial year, the summit is designed to develop legislative and other initiatives that will move the state forward by leveraging the state’s assets, promoting investments into sustainable industries and diversifying the state’s economy for the next century. Recommendations gathered at the summit will be incorporated into a 2013 Legislative Jobs Package and also into the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s five-year strategic plan.
“New Mexico faces immense competition from other states for not only federal funding but also for private investments,” said Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela, whose department is organizing the summit. “That is why we need to look at things like our state’s incentives, tax structure and workforce programs to compete effectively so that we are known as the state that welcomes job creators.”
The summit will be a unique opportunity to focus on issues that will have a major impact on the quality of the life in our communities and produce a platform of recommendations that can:
•Eliminate structural barriers to economic growth such as tax, regulatory and infrastructure issues
•Prepare a competitive workforce with a focus on higher education
•Facilitate tech-transfer and entrepreneurship
•Leverage emerging economic opportunities in the areas of the state’s technology clusters
Co-sponsors of the event include the Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico State Arrowhead Center and the New Mexico Department Workforce Solutions. The summit will take place at the CNM Workforce Training Center, 5600 Eagle Rock Avenue NE from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee to cover meals and snack breaks. Seating is limited, early registration is highly recommended. To register online, go to website at http://nmfirst.org/events/economic-development-summit. For further questions, contact Gina Maes at 505-241-4813 or ginam@nmfirst.org.
