U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.1 Million to Support Agriculture and Ecotourism in Belen, New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.1 million grant to the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District in Belen, New Mexico, to support economic resiliency efforts in agriculture and ecotourism following wildfires in 2023.

This grant will support construction of an operations and economic development building to help bolster the local economy. This EDA investment will be matched with $634,150 in local funds and is expected to create 9 jobs and generate $400,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is helping communities in New Mexico and more across the country build and sustain the infrastructure needed to grow strong, resilient regional economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will enhance emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency, helping to spur economic growth for decades to come.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support their disaster resiliency and recovery strategies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will strengthen the regional economy making them more resilient in the face of future natural disasters.”

“I am pleased to welcome this $2.1 million award from the Department of Commerce to the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “These funds will help to construct an economic development facility in Belen, that will help spur the local economy across Central New Mexico. The investment will help make meaningful strides towards New Mexico’s agricultural and economic resiliency in the face of natural disasters.”

“I’m proud to welcome over $2 million for the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District to construct an economic development facility that will support capacity building across Central New Mexico. This investment will bolster local business, including in agriculture and ecotourism, and develop new ways to stay resilient in the face of extreme weather driven by climate change. I will continue fighting for investments like this one to create jobs and spur economic development in communities across New Mexico,” said Senator Martin Heinrich.

“I am proud to welcome $2.1 million from the Department of Commerce for the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District in Belen,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “This investment will enhance local agriculture and strengthen economic resilience. This funding reflects a strong commitment to improving the well-being of our community.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG). EDA funds MRCOG to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.