Tourism as an Economic Development Tool

Through the efforts of the Tourism Council a community calendar is being utilized by all entities to assure a comprehensive list of events for visitors to websites that will be visiting or have the potential to visit the area. Tourist are 45% more likely to find events with the community effort. Also the collaboration has increased the total amount of ads being placed in tourism magazines by pooling advertizing resources to do split ads. This has lead to an increase in ad quality and effectiveness.

2009 Tourism and Economic Development Programming--
*The De Baca County Extension Service, in coordination with the De Baca County 4-H Council and the Fort Sumner Ranch Rodeo committee, helped to plan and coordinate the annual WRCA Sanctioned Fort Sumner Ranch Rodeo. Nineteen teams from across New Mexico, Texas and Arizona competed in the 2 day event which hosted 5-6 member teams and their families. This was an excellent opportunity for tourism and economic development, highlighting and showcasing De Baca County to the rest of the state and adjouning states as well. A total of 250-300 people attended the function each day.
*The agent and County Extension staff worked with funds from the local Community Development Coorporation, the Chamber of Commerce,the Village of Fort Sumner and the County, to develop and construct and the 2009 County Agriculture, Natural Resource and tourism display at the State Fair. A total of 300 people a day viewed the booth during the two week run of the state fair. In addition, the booth was honored again with the first place ribbon among county displays. This is the 3rd year in the row that De Baca County has won the booth display where 20 counties compete for recognition of there agriculture and natural resources.
*Fairground Improvements--In 2008/2009, the Agent was able to continue adding to the De Baca County Fairgrounds improvements by writing for funding from the Governor's Rodeo Council and local entities such as ENMR to acquire funding to cover the aluminum grandstands and build a set of ADA compliant restrooms. The grandstand projects was completed during 2009 and the ADA restroom project is now under way going into 2010. This was a total of $120,000 acquired through the Agent grant writing which ads to the $60,000 already acquired through grant funding cyles which were used to build stalls, revamp the arena and show barn water system, improve the arena lighting system and improve the arena east catch pens.

2009 - ARCHERY SHOOTOUT

In 2008 a landowner/private school teacher was approached by an archery shooting organization if they could use his property to conduct a shoot. The Naciemento Heritage group that was started by the Extension Service to replace the REDDT program helped with the shoot. We were short on vendorslast year. this year we made plans to get vendors and other community organizations to set up booths. The shoot was done again in 2009. However we did not get the attendance from previous year. Needless to say, we had time on our hands so we made plans for other events.

2009 - VISITOR CENTER

Group is working hard to keep the visitor's center open in Cuba as it is the gateway to the northern end of the county. We were able to get staffing from US Forest Service for 5 days a week plus we also had community volunteers fill in the gaps. We have sold merchandise, had raffles, donations, and several fund raisers. Community leaders have realized the importance of the center to be open and are speaking to the Village of Cuba for some financial support from lodgers tax monies. This will be an ongoing project.

2009 - FARMER'S MARKETS

Sandoval County Extension Agent, along with master gardener volunteers have helped to begin and provide education at farmers markets in the county. We service markets in Corrales, Bernalillo, San Felipe and the newest one in Rio Rancho. Jemez Pueblo and the newest one in Rio Rancho. Many of these farmer market operators have expressed appreciation to extension for the assistance they provide. Because they want us there,many provide space, tables, chairs and cover from weather elements to insure that we keep coming back.

Under the origainal REDTT program Guadalupe county was able to demonstrate how to go about establishing Rural EConmic Development . Fopr the last four years we have encouraged several local ranchers and businessmen how to develop programs to encourage tourism . When we started we tried several types of tourism ventures all of them were short term ventures . But the idea began to take shape and last yearCurt and Kearen Kelling began with a program partly by accident and partly by design that they uitilized the REDTT model to get a tourism program started . This is the second year wher the ranch family has hosted Norwegians moterocylcle riders on their ranch for a noon meal. The idea has developed in to a full time summer business. Last year they hhosted 8 groups with 35 riders each time . This year has been much bigger with 27 groups and 35 to 40 motor cycle riders. In talking to Curt they feel that they truly have hit on a good thing with these motorcyclist . They provide them with a noonmeal and then they are off. This has be come a full time business and they are establishing more of these types of stops in and around Santa Rosa for other indivdiduals to take advantage of the tourism trade with Norwegians. The future looks good to have an overnight stay next year with a bed and breakfast type program .

The De Baca County Extension Service, in coordination with the De Baca County 4-H Council and the Fort Sumner Ranch Rodeo committee, helped to plan and implement the 4th annual WRCA Sanctioned Ranch Rodeo. Eighteen teams from across New Mexico, Texas and Arizona competed in the 2 day event which hosted 5-6 member teams and their families. This was an excellent opportunity for tourism and economic development, highlighting and showcasing De Baca County to the rest of the state and adjouning states as well. A total of 350 people attended the function each day.