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Business

The city of Alamogordo enjoys a wide variety of retailers that provide excellent goods and services to our area, as well as excellent job opportunities. With over 700 active business members, the Chamber of Commerce in Alamogordo benefits the community by coordinating and sponsoring a variety of activities and services throughout the year — including tournaments, festivals and volunteer committees that support the businesses and interests of all of Alamogordo's citizenry. Alamogordo was recently selected as a finalist in this year's All-America City Award competition. According to a representative of the National Civic League, Alamogordo is "serving as role model for the rest of the country" where community members, government, businesses and non-profit organizations work together to address critical local issues. Area private industry employers include Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, the Alamogordo Public School system, 1-800-flowers.com and Super Wal-Mart.

The city of Alamogordo is also proud of its military affiliation. Closely linked to Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range, Alamogordo benefits from their presence in spirit as well as economically. The two bases represent a combined military civilian annual payroll of more than $200 million, realizing an economic impact of more than $470 million each year to the local economy.

Holloman Air Force Base is Alamogordo's major employer and the cornerstone of its economy. The base is led by the 49th Fighter Wing, which is re-equipping with the Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor, a transition which should conclude in 2009. The world's most-advanced combat aircraft, F-22s are scheduled to start arriving in December 08. Holloman also is the home of the German Air Force's Flying Training Center, which trains German pilots and weapons systems operators in the Panavia GR-1 Tornado strike aircraft. Additionally, Holloman is the location of the 46th Test Group, which tests many of the Department of Defense's latest technologies, from radars to weapons systems. The Holloman high-speed test track used by the 46th Test Group to test missiles holds the world's land speed record of over Mach 9. Since the 1940s, Holloman has been the home of cutting-edge research and development, particularly in space exploration.

Business Infrastructure

The County's transportation infrastructure provides ready access to markets and suppliers throughout southwestern United States and Mexico gateways. Alamogordo is located at the intersections of two four-lane highways, U.S. 70 and U.S. 54. These two highways provide excellent connections to two major north-south and east-west interstate highways, I-10 and I-25. Rail service (including trailer on flat car) is available through Southern/Union Pacific Railway. White Sands Regional Airport is a 10-minute drive from downtown, and is serviced by Valley Air Express. Major airline service is easily accessible through El Paso International Airport, which is 90 minutes away. Alamogordo can meet the telecommunication needs of nearly any business via Qwest New Mexico's fiber optic cable, which runs throughout the town.

Business and Industrial Development

Several major sites for business and industrial development are within the city of Alamogordo. The city is in the process of developing the Airport Business Park, which is located in the vicinity of the Alamogordo/White Sands Regional Airport. Funding for installation of water, sewer and utility services and roads to these parcels has been obtained, and construction is slated to begin in the near future. Otero County Economic Development Council is in the process of subdividing property that it owns into smaller lots for development as a manufacturing and industrial park. This 70-acre property offers rail spur access, and is near the interchange of U.S. Highways 70 and 54.

Sites within both the Airport Business Park and the Industrial Park may be offered as part of a total Economic Development incentive package. Private commercial and industrial property is competitively priced with values ranging from $8,000 to $20,000 per acre. Build-to-suit costs estimates range from $25 to $60 per square foot.

Labor Force, Climate and Quality

The Alamogordo/Otero County workforce is augmented by residents in neighboring Lincoln County. Alamogordo offers a highly qualified and well-trained workforce. More than 80 percent of the adult population are high school graduates, and an additional 18 to 20 percent hold post secondary degrees. Twenty-five percent of the adult population is bilingual. Characteristic of the southwest, salary levels here are below the national norms, yet the community as a whole is known for its excellent work ethic. September 2007 unemployment figures show Alamogordo at 3.7 percent unemployment. The Department of Labor is the best source for salary and wage information, and can be reached at www.dol.gov.

State and Local Business Incentives

The State of New Mexico has an extensive incentives program. In addition to workforce development programs, bond programs and private equity investments, the state offers additional benefits to businesses locating in rural portions of New Mexico — such as Alamogordo. Many industry-specific incentives are offered as well, the details of which can be found at www.edd.state.nm.us/ PROGRAMS/incentives.html. In addition to the State of New Mexico incentives, Alamogordo has adopted a local economic development plan, which allows the city to provide land, building and infrastructure resources as incentives. Otero County Economic Development Council makes recommendations to the city and county on these programs. The City and County Commissions demonstrate a willingness to support job growth and industrial recruitment through the issuance of industrial revenue bonds, tax abatements and cash incentives.