COUNTY News:
The County Council is seeking interested volunteers to represent Los Alamos County on economic development boards that have current openings on their Board of Directors.
Both the Regional Development Corporation (RDC) and the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NMNMEDD) have vacancies and have asked the Council to forward recommendations to them.
RDC Board:
The RDC Board opening is restricted to applicants working in the private sector in Los Alamos or White Rock.
The RDC is a regional economic development organization for Northern New Mexico, focused on creating a diverse and sustainable economy. The RDC works collaboratively to create new jobs in the region by strengthening services to businesses and developing the infrastructure, public policy and workforce to support job growth.
Its principal service areas are Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, San Miguel, Mora and Sandoval counties. The RDC oversees a number of small business orientated programs in Northern New Mexico, including the Native American Venture Acceleration Fund, Los Alamos Connect, Northern New Mexico 20/20 and Regional Economic Development Initiative.
The RDC member must attend at least six public board meetings and participate in various, periodic committee meetings each year. In addition, the appointed member and an RDC representative will be available to jointly present a status report on RDC activities to the Council at least once per year. To learn more about the work of the RDC, visit www.rdcnm.org.
NCNMEDD Board:
Applicants should be a resident of either Los Alamos or White Rock. This is the County’s second call for applications and an extension of an earlier March deadline – previous candidates need not re-apply as their applications are being held pending this second call for applications and then Council will review all applications.
The NCNMEDD is an association of local units of government and other organizations created to encourage and allow regional cooperation on a multitude of issues. The District was formed in 1967, using funds from the federal Economic Development Administration. Counties and incorporated municipalities provide cash and in-kind funding, which provide matching funds for program administration.
The region served includes seven counties: Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos. The Board works together in setting goals and action plans to address a wide variety of economic-related issues affecting Northern New Mexico, such as water, land use, tourism, recreation, education, training and housing. To learn more about the work of the NCNMEDD, visit www.ncnmedd.com.
Applicants are asked to mail or hand-deliver a one page letter of interest to County Administrator Harry Burgess, 1000 Central Ave., Suite 350. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 14 at 5 p.m. Scanned, signed letters sent to lacadministrator@lacnm.us are also acceptable. In the letter, applicants should state their occupation, relevant experience working on economic development issues at the local and/or regional level, and why they are interested in serving on either Board.
At a future Council meeting, the Council plans to discuss the candidates and then forward their recommendation to the NCNMEDD and RDC Board of Directors. Each Board will be responsible for appointing an individual to fill the vacancy.
There is no term limit for serving on either Board. These are volunteer positions; however, travel expenses associated with attending Board meetings or events in other communities are reimbursable by Los Alamos County.
