What is Economic Development Week? And How Are Gallup & McKinley County, NM Observing it this Year?

Economic development is at the core of well-being and quality of life for communities across the United States. It is a group of policies, programs, and activities that seek to create and retain jobs and ultimately facilitate economic growth. Each year, the 2nd week in May marks Economic Development Week. Created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the week serves to increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve communities’ quality of life everywhere.

Over the last six years, GGEDC has observed the week with various activities and events. This year, we are one of 450+ economic development groups throughout the United States and Canada, celebrating the week.
Here in Gallup and McKinley County, GGEDC and other groups and individuals are showcasing the importance and impacts of economic development that they are conducting here in our communities.

In addition to running daily Op Ed pieces in the Gallup Independent on how different organizations and nonprofits are impacting the community, GGEDC looks forward to presenting and sharing the following events and activities in observance of the 2022 Economic Development Week in Gallup, titled: “Building on Our Assets:”:

SUNDAY, MAY 8TH, 6:00AM, 6:30AM, and 8:00AM ----- IMPACT Radio Show: Training the Workforce of the Future.

Guests Jeremy Boucher, Director, Southwest Indian Foundation Project Office (SWIF) and Bruce Armstrong, Economic Development Manager, GGEDC discuss with IMPACT host Sammy Chioda plans for the 2022 Economic Development Week in Gallup, and how SWIF and GGEDC’s Greater Gallup Industrial Workforce Program is helping to train the workforce for highly in-demand trades skills required by industrial employers in McKinley County. IMPACT Airs on all four Millennium Media Stations as follows:

• 6 a.m. on 94.5 FM, K Y A T, YAH-TEH-DINE, NAVAJO COUNTRY
• 6:30 a.m. on 93.7 FM, CLASSIC ROCK, 93 X
• 8 a.m. on 103.7 FM, CLASSIC HITS K Y V A, KEEVA
• 8 a.m.on 98.3F M&1230 AM ,ROCKIN' OLDIES KEEVA,KYVA

MONDAY, MAY 9th, 4:00PM-5:30PM------Webinar 1: Building the Outdoor Recreation Economy in McKinley County

Outdoor Recreation is a growing economic development sector that is full of opportunities, for tourists, businesses and local folks alike. Evan Williams, Executive Director of the Northwest NM Council of Governments will facilitate a panel of OR experts and businesses to discuss developments in this arena. Panelists include: Axie Navas, Founding Director, NM Economic Development Department - Outdoor Recreation Division, James Glover, Co-Director of endeavOR, Jeremy Boucher, Director, Southwest Indian Foundation Project Office (SWIF) and representative of Hozho Academy, Crystal Carr, CEO, and Bryan Roessel, COO, of Ho?dzilei Hiking Strong, LLC, and Brian Leddy, Executive Director, Adventure Gallup & Beyond.

Tuesday, May 10th, 9:00AM ------- McKinley County Commission Meeting - Will Declare May 9-14, 2022 Economic Development Week in McKinley County.

TUESDAY, MAY 10th, 12:00PM: GGEDC Annual Business Recruitment & Retention (BRE) Luncheon – Guest of Honor: Jon Badal, Sacred Wind Communications. Keynote: Mayor Martin Chavez, Former Mayor of Albuquerque [Invitation Only Event].

TUESDAY, MAY 10th, 6:00PM ------- Gallup City Council Meeting - The City will declare May 9-14, 2022 Economic Development Week in Gallup.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11th, --------- The City of Gallup Will Recognize Advanced Air Airline and announce the return of passenger air service to the Gallup Municipal Airport.

THURSDAY MAY12th, 4:00PM-5:30PM------Webinar 2: Research Driving Programs & Projects for Tourism Economic Development. Facilitator: Jennifer Lazarz, Tourism & Marketing Manager, City of Gallup presents Jen Paul Schroer, Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico Tourism Department and Antoinette Vigil, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Tourism Department who will present how focused research and analysis is fundamental to the New Mexico True brands’ success.

Directed especially to the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism-related businesses), this presentation showcases NMTD case studies that demonstrate how to formulate initial research needs; how the research then informs strategy, tactics and programs; how to develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to optimize execution; and how to evaluate strategic performance. Ultimately, research-based strategies bring clarity to the best use of resources, funding and prioritization, while also creating a strong framework to confidently say NO to efforts that won’t deliver a competitive Return on Investment (ROI).

Jen Paul Schroer and Antoinette Vigil are seasoned tourism and economic development executives who currently lead the New Mexico True marketing and public relations strategies for the state. With a strong belief in the power of strategic partnerships, Jen’s leadership fosters collaboration between private and public sectors, and across government agencies, to unite executive leaders to advance regional economies.

THURSDAY MAY 12th, 6:00PM ----- Press Conference & Economic Development Week Wrap Up at Sammy C's Rock'n Sports Pub & Grille.

THURSDAY MAY 12th, 6:30PM ----- Gallup Economic Development Community Social Hour at Sammy C's Rock'n Sports Pub & Grille.

Greater Gallup EDC invites the press, public officials, our friends and supporters, and various prime movers of economic development in the region to join us to celebrate all that we all do to improve the quality of life in the greater Gallup area and the 4 Corners region.

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