February Business on the Border Forum

The February meeting of the MVEDA Business on the Border Forum will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Best Western Mesilla Valley Inn Columbus Conference Center. The meeting will begin with a hot entree buffet followed by an update from MVEDA staff. Luncheon cost is $10.00 per person, payable by cash, check or major credit card. The meeting is open to the public and reservations are not required.

Jerry Tyree, Chief of Business Development & Marketing at White Sands Missile Range, will present an overview of the Future Combat Systems Initiative (FCS) and its impact on the Range and Southern New Mexico. Rebecca Rizzuti of Senator Jeff Bingaman's office will give an overview of the Future Combat Systems / Secure Border Initiative Event being held on February 21st at the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. The event will give local high-tech businesses an opportunity to meet with a wide-variety of leading defense contractors working on the FCS programs.

Due to a scheduling conflict, company officials of Wild West Express will not be able to present at the luncheon. MVEDA will reschedule their presentation for a later date.

Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
505 S. Main, Ste 134 - PO Box 1299
Las Cruces, NM 88004
(505) 525-2852
www.mveda.com
www.southwest-advantage.com

Special County Commission Meeting February 5 to Address Spaceport Tax Proposal

On Monday, February 5, the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners will meet to discuss passing an ordinance to adopt a County Regional Spaceport Gross Receipts Tax. If the ordinance is approved, a special election will be held on April 3rd to approve a .25% increase in the gross receipts tax to support the spaceport. The special meeting will begin with public comment at 9:00am in the Commission Chambers, 845 N. Motel Boulevard, Las Cruces, New Mexico

The Board of Directors of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance has long supported the spaceport as an exceptional opportunity to bring good jobs and educational opportunities to southern New Mexico while capitalizing upon this region’s long history as an aerospace development and testing center. The board formally passed in April, 2006 a resolution in support of the gross receipts tax funding mechanism. The board urges those interested in the economic development of this region to voice support for the passage of the increase at the meeting on Monday.

More information on the Spaceport Gross Receipts Tax proposal can be found at: www.peopleforaerospace.com

Future Combat Systems Business Opportunities

Southern New Mexico businesses will have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with federal government contractors to explore business opportunities in defense and homeland security on February 21, 2007 at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Representatives from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Honeywell, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Textron, BAE Systems, SAIC, and Computer Science Corporation will be in attendance.

Space is limited and RSVP is required no later than February 17. On-line registration is available at: http://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/fcs/. For more information, please call Stephanie Troller (505-635-9981) or Rebecca Rizzuti (505-523-9160).

Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
505 S. Main, Ste 134 - PO Box 1299
Las Cruces, NM 88004
(505) 525-2852
www.mveda.com
www.southwest-advantage.com