Cities of Clovis/Portales Champion Community

Lead Entity: Cities of Clovis/Portales

Demographics

State: New Mexico

Counties (Census Tracts):                        Curry                              Roosevelt        
Community Population:                           45,044                            18,018           
Poverty Rate:                                           15.5%                              17.3%                  

Net Land Area:                                         1,407.67                          2,454.87 

Background: 

• Unemployment rate:                            3.8%                            4.8%

• Median Household Income:                $28,917                        $26,586         

• Per Capita Income:                             $15,049                        $14,185

• 7.5% of the population consists of persons attached to the United States Air Force

Community Overview:

The Clovis/Portales Empowerment Zone was developed in 1994 to address areas of need within the two county region of Eastern New Mexico.  Historically, Clovis and Portales have several areas of distress.  To address the distressed areas the communities have identified a number of key areas to increase the wealth and prosperity of the two county regions.  Since the inception of the plan in 1994 both communities have been extremely successful in completing a number of projects within the plan.

Strategic Plan Highlights:  

With the implementation of its strategic plan, the Cities of Clovis/Portales seeks to achieve a balance in economic and community development.

• Increase the average wage within the area.
• Develop new industrial and service Jobs
• Continue to enhance and develop downtown areas of Clovis and Portales
• Recruit new industry to area
• Continue to promote area business retention and expansion
• Continue to promote and expand small business assistance programs
• Secure and develop long range water resources
• Continue to improve and enhance customized training programs in area

• Expand, develop and recruit adequate medical services and resources

• Enhance the youth activities within the area by expanding youth center programs

• Increase public access to adequate housing and improvement resources

Partnerships

• City of Clovis and Portales

• Curry and Roosevelt Counties

• Clovis and Portales Chambers of Commerce

•  Roosevelt County Community Development Corp.
• Clovis Industrial Development Corp.
• Roosevelt County Community Services
• Clovis Community College
• ENMU-Portales and Roswell
• Clovis Downtown Revitalization
• Portales Main Street
• Eastern Plains Council of Governments

Leveraging

Local, Regional and National resources have and will continue to be utilized to achieve the goals and objectives above.  In conjunction, private resources through time and cash dollars will complement public monies to improve the quality of life of the area.

Community Involvement:

Public meetings held by various organizations and spearheaded by local elected bodies will continue to provide input into the various projects.  Additionally, a number of the organizations provide volunteer labor and resources to meet the goals and objectives of various projects

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