Rico Gonzales, Chair of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), announced today that the Union Pacific Railroad awarded $25,000 through its Community Ties Giving Program to MVEDA to address COVID-19 economic development response challenges.
The specific purpose of this grant is to appraise industry shifts and impacts resulting from COVID-19, identifying new, emerging career paths which could benefit Dona Ana County and its residents, and further understanding the workforce needs required to grow these new industries. “Union Pacific continues to make positive impacts on our region,” said Mr. Gonzales. “Their investments into non-profits such as MVEDA help to improve the everyday lives of our residents.”
“Every community has its own unique needs in responding to the pandemic,” said Ivan Jaime, Union Pacific Sr. Director – Public Affairs. “By investing in high-quality nonprofits and programs such as MVEDA’s COVID-19 Economic Development Assessment, we can directly help those impacted, providing the assistance they need to recover.”
In 2014, Union Pacific opened one of its largest intermodal facilities in the United States, on 2,200-acres of land in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Union Pacific employs 480 workers in New Mexico and indirectly supports thousands more. The company has invested more than $600 million in the state over the last decade. “We have always been proud to have a community partner and investor like Union Pacific in Dona Ana County. This award exemplifies their
continued dedication to economic development and workforce success in the region,” commented Davin Lopez, President & CEO of MVEDA.
The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance is a 501 (c3), regional economic development organization representing Dona Ana County and its communities, whose mission is to grow the wealth and health of the region through the creation economic-based career opportunities for its residents.
