
The local funding was one of 23 approved applications for the current three-year program cycle of the Certified Community Initiative program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
The assistance provided by the Certified Community Initiative program is intended to create new jobs as well as increase
community pride, help improve communities and help boost the overall state of New Mexico’s economic condition.
New standards for receiving funding also were incorporated into the program by the state Economic Development Department.
The Deming-Luna County EDC met 13 mandatory requirements for certification which focused on job creation and economic
development.The $11,000 per-year award included $10,000 for maximum funding of a single entity – such as Luna County, and another $1,000 for an additional entity – such as the City of Deming. The EDC will have to recertify every three years.
The funding is to be used toward special projects such as workforce studies, grant writers, training expenses and economic development impact studies.