Roswell city growth projections impressive (Alamogordo, Clovis: credit, schools, taxes)

[mikus]

This article was on the front cover of the Roswell Daily Record........



City growth projections impressive

Vanessa Beauman
Record Staff Writer
5/4/07

Roswell must prepare for a population increase in the immediate future.
This is according to research completed by Zach Montgomery, City Planning Director, in his 15-year growth projection for Roswell.
The city planner created the 2007 growth projection in response to “discussion. . . that hinted to the end of new developments in Roswell.”
Montgomery has been Roswell’s City Planner for six years and previously worked in the planning of Tucson, Ariz.
Contrary to what some may have believed in the past, Montgomery found that “development will continue fairly steadily for the next 15 years.”
To complete his research, Montgomery consulted the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, ENMU-R, the Chaves County Development Foundation and the Grieves Group Realtors.
As the largest demographic in the U.S., the Baby Boomer generation will be impossible to ignore, according to projections.
About 80 million Baby Boomers are expected to begin retirement by 2027. Montgomery projects Roswell will get between 400 to 1,150 retirees each year over the next 20 years.
Montgomery said the number of retiring Baby Boomers creates a 20 percent increase in retirees compared to previous years.
The younger population is also expected to increase in Roswell as a consequence of local businesses and schools growing. The enrollment at FLETC, based in Artesia, is growing. FLETC is planning to build a new dormitory room, new driving courses and a language arts center.
Montgomery said in his report that nearly 60 percent of FLETC employees reside in Roswell.
ENMU-R is also growing with new dormitories and an aviation complex. The school is counting on a projected growth in enrollment.
CCDF is in the process of developing projects such as a uranium enrichment plant and an ethanol plant.
Roswell is one of 11 contenders for the uranium plant which is expected to bring in 5,000 new jobs to the city. The These numbersCCDF said more information will be available by September.
The ethanol plant is expected to open in June, creating 40 to 50 jobs.
are enticing but Mayor Sam LaGrone said he felt they may actually be falling short.
“I personally feel Zach’s projection is low,” LaGrone said. “With all the activity we have going on, I have never seen anything like it.”
LaGrone believes Montgomery’s report does not give enough credit to the new air service Roswell will have in place by September 5 which will offer direct flights from Roswell to Dallas, Texas, and back daily.
“To me it’s one of the biggest things to happen to Roswell,” LaGrone said about the new air service.
The mayor said that at the pace Roswell is growing, residents will be able to see major changes soon.
“In 10 years we’re going to be saying, my God, what happened to our little city?” LaGrone said.
Others around town agreed that Roswell seems to be bustling a bit more lately.
Bernarr Treat, executive director for the Roswell Chamber of Commerce said Roswell has already seen an increase in retirees relocating to Roswell.
“We constantly have good retiree numbers,” Treat said. “Early Baby Boomers are starting to hit already.”
Treat said new facilities in Roswell like the regional hospital, Sam’s Club and Starbucks are also positive signs of growth.
“No one solicits them,” Treat said in reference to the new businesses in Roswell. “They come on their own. They see something maybe we don’t understand yet.”
Juan Oropesa, executive director for the Roswell Hispano Chamber of Commerce said the greatest impact in Roswell due to this increase of population will be felt as the city approaches the looming 50,000 population mark.
“The 50,000 mark puts us in a different category for federal funding,” Oropesa said. He explained this means an increase in gross receipts which will force taxes to go up.
Treat, however, is enthused about the possibility of a positive growth projection.
“You have a lot of folks in the right places in this community,” Treat said optimistically. “They continue to work to attract new companies and new opportunities for the region.”
Bob Donnell, executive director of the CCDF said we must “appreciate city leaders for their vision, for helping to grow a diverse economy and a diverse work force.”
LaGrone shared Roswell’s sunny outlook.
“I’m very positive about where we’re headed in our city,” LaGrone said. “It’s a great time to live in Roswell.”

[6 FOOT 3]

Thanks for that info Mikus as its good to see Easrern NM grow and prosper. I know Roswell was decimated when they closed Walker AFB there back in the 70's and its taken them a while to rebound. Also thanks to former Gov.Gary Johnson for widening U.S.285 from Clines Corner/I-40 in the north thru Roswell/Artresia all the way south to Carlsbad by the Texas state line from 2 to 4 lanes of divided highway.

[mikus]

Originally Posted by harry o

Thanks for that info Mikus as its good to see Easrern NM grow and prosper. I know Roswell was decimated when they closed Walker AFB there back in the 70's and its taken them a while to rebound. Also thanks to former Gov.Gary Johnson for widening U.S.285 from Clines Corner/I-40 in the north thru Roswell/Artresia all the way south to Carlsbad by the Texas state line from 2 to 4 lanes of divided highway.

Yes, its taken Roswell almost 40 years to regain the population it had when the base was going strong. Its also nice to see HWY 70 from Clovis to Las cruces thru Roswell, Ruidoso, and Alamogordo with all 4 lanes. That project was many many decades overdue with all the traffic going in and out of Ruidoso. I hope to see Eastern NM maintain the momentum and also love to see the Tularosa/Alamogordo area growing and prospering...!! Good luck to rural New Mexico..!!