RDCNM News:
A delegation of New Mexico business leaders will travel to Washington D.C. July 16 and 17 to discuss the importance of Los Alamos National Laboratory to the state’s economy.
The delegation will be accompanied by Gov. Susana Martinez’ Chief of Staff Keith Gardner and Los Alamos County Council Chair Sharon Stover.
Stover is a member of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities, which traveled to Washington, D.C., on a similar mission in March. .
The current business group plans to meet with New Mexico’s Congressional delegation, staff from key committees in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, and senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy.
LANL has an annual budget of approximately $2.25 billion and employs 10,570 people directly.
In addition, LANL procures approximately $527 million in goods and services in New Mexico, which creates additional economic impact and jobs in the region.
The $527 million last year went to businesses located in the following counties:
- Los Alamos $274 million
- Bernalillo $168 million
- Rio Arriba $27 million
- Santa Fe $24 million
- Sandoval $15 million
- other New Mexico counties $240,000
LANL estimates that it generates approximately $128 million a year in gross receipts taxes.
Members of the business leader’s delegation traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate for LANL include:
- Simon Brackley, President and CEO, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
- Lillian Montoya-Rael, Board of Directors, CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center
- Liddie Martinez, Board Member, Consortium of Major LANL Subcontractors and SOC Los Alamos
- Kevin Holsapple, Executive Director, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
- Jeff Lunsford, Vice-Chair, Consortium of Major LANL Subcontractors, and Area Manager, Technology Integration Group, Inc.
- Kathy Keith, Executive Director, Regional Development Corporation
- Sharon Stover, Los Alamos County Council Chair
- Keith Gardner, Chief of Staff, Governor Susana Martinez
- Brian Bosshardt, Los Alamos County Deputy County Administrator
In addition to the delegation’s visit, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce will be writing letters expressing their support for continued funding for the laboratory.
