Scene from recent Economic Development session hosted by Leadership Los Alamos. Courtesy photo
Small group discussions at recent Economic Development session. Courtesy photo
By MARTHA KATKO
Leadership Los Alamos
Leadership Los Alamos held their Economic Development session on April 10 beginning the morning at the Research Park. Breakfast burritos from Hot Rocks were sponsored by Los Alamos Commerce and Development (LACDC). Following a short tour of the building, Dan Osborn, Los Alamos County Housing Program Coordinator, joined the class for a discussion on the housing challenges in Los Alamos. He discussed both what has been accomplished in terms of adding units in recent years and what we can look forward to in the next few years to help alleviate the housing shortage.
A panel comprised of Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent, County Community Development Director Eli Isaacson, County Planning Manager Danyelle Valdez and Patrick Sullivan, Central Park Square Property Manager led an engaging discussion of topics including the status of current projects, what drives rental prices, the role of LANL, what prevents growth and what types of businesses are inquiring about renting retail space. There were also lively discussions of the County’s permitting process and what prospective business owners need to learn about before embarking on a new endeavor to ensure a smooth process free of surprises.
The cohort traveled to White Rock to enjoy lunch from Pi-239 Pizzeria before moving to the old White Rock Time Out/McDonald’s building. Janet Lovato showed the class the renovations underway and told them about the businesses which will soon be opening in that space.
The class moved to Fire Station 3 for the remainder of the afternoon. There they divided into small groups and met in a round robin style with representatives of LACDC, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce, Los Alamos County Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center, New Mexico Economic Development Center, Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District, the Regional Development Corporation and the Los Alamos Ambassador Program. The cohort was able to learn about each entity and have engaging discussions with each.
Finally, the class learned about the County’s Comprehensive Plan which is in the update process. In small groups, the cohort considered questions related to our community and their visions for the future in Los Alamos, and presented their responses to the class.
LLA Mission Statement
The mission of Leadership Los Alamos is to develop and empower a diverse network of current and emerging leaders within the Los Alamos community. We achieve this by providing experiential learning opportunities to observe, discuss, and act on leadership principles, foster self-awareness and effective communication skills, cultivate collaborative teamwork, and instill the values of servant leadership and community engagement. Our goal is to strengthen workplace culture and equip individuals with the tools to make a lasting, positive impact on our shared home.
LLA Vision Statement
Leadership Los Alamos envisions a vibrant, thriving Los Alamos community where informed, civically engaged, and highly effective leaders continuously collaborate to address community needs, inspire positive change, and expand their collective impact. We aspire to cultivate a culture of leadership that values human potential, fosters strong relationships, and ensures Los Alamos remains an exceptional place to live and work for generations to come.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about the program or are an alumni of the LLA program and would like to join our all-volunteer board.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo