[{"_1":2,"_76":-5,"_77":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6540883,"mediaKeyId","3868021-c65fda046eaa7b2cf6f4adf0dbe1a42d","parentId",3868021,"title","Bernalillo County hosts South Valley economic development listening session; residents press for local hiring, small-business support and infrastructure","audioSeconds",2050,"startMs",234000,"endMs",2284000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868021-c65fda046eaa7b2cf6f4adf0dbe1a42d&start=234&end=2284","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868021-c65fda046eaa7b2cf6f4adf0dbe1a42d/thumbnail_234000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540883/New-Mexico/Bernalillo-County-hosts-South-Valley-economic-development-listening-session-residents-press-for-local-hiring-small-business-support-and-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540883-340580a8df6d0bc3c7ee142f43605abd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994023&Signature=cV~84fGeL-ECpb6X0VOesS25bz9QgkPIjZFMyIHQHycDmlnLCNV3I6vCYQasIdlg89m8Zd8kGej1zOK~xMD3OL253GXMbMpefNFmbe1g7h2mTFraLOnXxCIHS5xDXLLSbOotG9UJQAiebXPcbmb2WyDiH6c1eGa1hUsW~M0mB4Tbfw-VOzHZM7BMLqRe2IRx8qgcknezjuF7ailp9zo-Z94fzczx6kDnjz1qzlsrDbyd1B1QWwcrM4xgoAmZi7h0Az7pBZMmutUlhCdaLU9WJYVtQwycvjp-8eCsc810e5GeaPSi0gUiZUDdsjW2tiQUFGyl1TMILOoN7wN1Wb1sNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bernalillo County, NM","date","2025-06-19T00:28:29Z","article","Bernalillo County staff gathered residents, business representatives and county leaders in a South Valley community dialogue to collect public input for the county's economic development strategy and potential financing-policy amendments.

Commissioner Frank Baca, recently elected and representing the area, opened the session and said, \"I was born and raised here in the South Valley, about a couple miles from where we sit right now.\" Marcos Gonzales, the county's executive development officer, told attendees, \"The goal of economic development at Bernalillo County is to create an environment for businesses to thrive and improve the quality of life of all county residents.\" He said the comments would inform the department's future programming and any necessary policy changes.

Participants worked at tables on two guided topics ' community benefits and sustainability ' and recorded their responses on half-sheets that county staff collected. County staff said summaries of the input and supporting research will be published on the department's website, and a QR-code survey available in multiple languages will remain open for additional responses. County staff also said additional place-based dialogues will be held across the county over the next six weeks and some stakeholders may be invited to follow-up focus groups.

Table reports and speakers emphasized local hiring, small-business support, infrastructure and transportation. Isaiah Torres, a resident who said he lives in the North Valley, urged \"a commitment to local hires, at least 60% or above,\" and called for apprenticeships and prevailing wages. Several tables urged workforce training, financial-literacy programs, and capital for small businesses rather than incentives that primarily benefit large, outside firms.

Attendees also stressed physical infrastructure and site readiness. A commercial real estate developer who identified himself as Adam Silverman urged investment in utilities and roads so new projects can connect to running water, sewer and mass transit. Other participants asked for basic neighborhood infrastructure such as sidewalks and lighting.

Sustainability and its connection to economic development emerged repeatedly. Camilla Feibelman said participants rejected separating economic growth from environmental stewardship, noting, \"You have no water, you're done.\" Suggestions included rainwater harvesting, decentralized energy, constructing with traditional materials such as adobe, and prioritizing local food production.

Transportation and mobility were frequent themes. Several tables called for broader access to public transit and district pickup services; one group urged expanding programs that currently provide free transit in parts of the city. Participants proposed electric buses, car- and scooter-share options, and better connections for people commuting to jobs.

Speakers also debated growth and preservation. One participant, Twyla, summarized a concern that \"infinite growth is not possible,\" and asked how the county will maintain services when the tax base is stagnant. Other residents weighed whether large retail projects would displace agricultural land and alter the South Valley's cultural character.

Logistics and next steps described at the session included collection of the table half-sheets, posting of summary themes and research materials online, additional dialogues in other county zones (Westside, North Valley, International District and others), multilingual survey access via QR code, and invitations to deeper-focus groups for some stakeholders.

The county said staff will incorporate the collected community priorities into draft strategies and that the steering committee and county commission will receive the results as the department develops possible policy and financing changes. No formal actions, votes or ordinance proposals were taken at the session; the event was a public input meeting to gather ideas and preferences.

County staff thanked translators and technical staff before adjourning the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BernCo Economic Development Community Conversation: #1 - Community Benefits and Sustainability","oneSentenceSummary","Bernalillo County hosted a community dialogue in the South Valley where residents and local stakeholders prioritized local hiring, small-business investment, transportation and water-smart sustainability as county staff collect input to shape future economic development strategies.","taxTitle","Events, New Mexico","taxId",29147,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary","actionData","errors"]

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Bernalillo County hosts South Valley economic development listening session; residents press for local hiring, small-business support and infrastructure