$214 Million invested  since 2021

Since the 2021 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was launched, our region has seen over $214 million in public and private investments. These projects have improved broadband access, upgraded infrastructure, and supported community revitalization. While these investments matter, the overall economic outcomes have been mixed — with gains in some areas and setbacks in others. This economic snapshot shows what’s happened, where we’ve made progress, and why we need your voice in shaping the next five years.

Highlights 2021-2025

• San Juan County hired Broadband Czar, established redundancy and plans expansion.
• Electric Co-op expanded broadband in Cibola County to establish redundancy and achieve competitive internet speeds.
• Broadband expanded into industrial and business parks in McKinley and San Juan Counties (State and local LEDA and USEDA public works grants). 
• Infrastructure upgrades to San Juan Industrial Park ($39 million in LEDA and EDA grants) attracted new tenant Pesco. 
• San Juan County completed initial planning for new industrial park adjacent to Four Corners Regional Airport.
• Milan Industrial Park master plan completed.
• Federal grants facilitated feasibility and route selection planning for Four Corners Freight Rail Project linking Farmington to BNSF main transcontinental rail line.
• Collaborative master planning for Tradeport America is underway in McKinley County to establish boundaries for Tradeport District designation.
• San Juan College designated a Center of Excellence in Renewable Energy and Industrial Technology, offering specialized training in solar, wind and energy efficiency technologies.
• Trail of the Ancients received designation as Federal Byway and Corridor Management Plan completed.
• Completed downtown revitalization projects included Coal Avenue Commons (Gallup) and Complete Streets Project (Farmington).
• Reconnecting Communities grant received to plan improvements to 2nd and 3rd Streets in Downtown Gallup.
• NWNMCOG Board of Directors adopted Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for Regional Community Development Corporation to manage an Empowerment Fund, coordinate regional policy advocacy, and support asset-building initiatives.
• Acoma Pueblo received $100 million FHWA grant for Mesa Hill Bridge and Road Extension Project to eliminae two at-grade railway crossings, fruition of planning that began in 2004.
• Two Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants received to plan improvements to nine problematic at-grade crossings in McKinley and Cibola Counties.

Mixed impact

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In the past four years, we brought in $214 million in new investments, mostly for infrastructure, and produced a net gain of only about $6 million in GDP – not a good return on investment – and we actually had a net loss of over 2,000 jobs.

It's time for a new approach: MoneyBall