GGEDC Hosts Business Retention & Expansion Luncheon & Awards

Gallup, NM – The Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC) hosted its annual Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Luncheon and Awards on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Rocket Café meeting room. After GGEDC Board Chairman Tommy Haws welcomed local business people, public officials, and professional economic developers, GGEDC Executive Director Patty Lundstrom presented highlights of the BRE Outreach Program. The BRE aims to help industry thrive in McKinley County by building strong partnerships with economic-base companies—those drawing most of their revenues from outside New Mexico—to support local expansions and add value to their operations. The program also educates companies on ongoing economic development initiatives and opportunities, aligning state, regional, and local strategies for maximum impact.

Melinda Allen, CEO & President of New Mexico Partnership, was the special guest speaker. She presented on “Why Gallup? What Drives Site Selector Interest in the Region?” highlighting advantages such as abundant, lower-cost land, competitive incentives, and wage rates. Ms. Allen noted that New Mexico often loses potential deals due to insufficient infrastructure to meet companies' time frames and energy requirements. She emphasized Gallup-McKinley County's attractive characteristics for site selectors, including access to interstate corridors and rail lines, workforce development agents like UNM-Gallup and the Industrial Workforce Program run by the Southwest Indian Foundation (SWIF), and the support provided by GGEDC's team. Gallup's ability to control utility rates independently was also highlighted as an advantage.

Patty Lundstrom, GGEDC Executive Director, stated that, “Economic Development is the long game, and it takes a group of committed people to see it through. Those in the BRE program are committed and dedicated to see the economy grow.”

Following Ms. Allen’s presentation, Tommy Haws presented GGEDC’s “Business of the Year Award” to Rick Murphy, President of Murphy Builders. Ms. Lundstrom then presented the 2025 Excellence in Business Awards to Tom Macik, Director of the Industrial Workforce Program of the Southwest Indian Foundation, and Sabrina Ezzell, Chancellor of the University of New Mexico–Gallup, recognizing the strength of UNM-G’s Workforce Development Program.
The luncheon drew attendees not only from Gallup-McKinley County, but from California (Advanced Air), Denver, Colorado (Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association), and from Albuquerque (Commnet/Ethos Broadband).

About Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation: 

GGEDC is a traditional economic development organization focusing on two core areas that support economic-base employers and job creation in Gallup and McKinley County: Business Retention & Expansion and Business Attraction & Recruitment. GGEDC’s mission is “to drive economic growth through building on local assets and strategic partnering to target attraction, retention & expansion of industrial employers that provide economic-base jobs in the Gallup-McKinley County area, and to support & promote a business-friendly environment.” See www.ggedc.com for more Information. 

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