Rep. Vasquez Champions Economic Development, Small Businesses, and Innovation During Weeklong District Tour
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On Friday, August 22, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) wrapped a weeklong tour visiting with local leaders, small businesses, scientists, and community advocates across central New Mexico.
“Last week in New Mexico, I traveled to many diverse communities in my district and spoke with constituents about the hard truths and challenges our families are facing today,” said Vasquez. “From young people in recovery, to seniors pursuing work, to small business owners and pioneering researchers, it’s clear New Mexicans are eager to have stability and opportunity to move their lives forward. The chaos and uncertainty being driven by Washington politics isn’t helping anyone. I’m eager to get back to work and commonsense governing.”
Vasquez began his weeklong tour on Monday, August 18 with a visit to the Serenity Mesa Youth Addiction Treatment Center, where he heard directly from providers and families who stressed the urgent need to expand access to compassionate, medically supervised treatment for young people in crisis.
The following day on Tuesday, August 19, Vasquez visited the Very Large Array (VLA) radio astronomy observatory, where he learned about New Mexico’s leading role in driving global scientific discoveries.
On Wednesday, August 20, Vasquez met with Goodwill Industries of New Mexico to address the federal funding freeze threatening the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which provides low-income seniors with community-based employment. Vasquez emphasized that seniors who are eager to work to support themselves should be able to access this program to stay active in the workforce, and he pledged to continue pressing the Department of Labor to release program funds.
On Thursday, August 21, Vasquez visited the Barelas Community Kitchen, a hub where aspiring food entrepreneurs and culinary students bring their skills to life and learn how to operate profitable businesses. Later that day, the Congressman joined WESST and the Association of Women’s Business Centers to highlight the essential role of women-owned small businesses in growing New Mexico’s economy.
Rep. Vasquez ended the day on Thursday by visiting Sandia National Laboratories and hearing directly from Sandia Laboratories National Director Laura McGill about the cutting edge national security research underway in New Mexico.
Finally, on Friday, August 22, Vasquez joined local leaders in Los Lunas for a tour about economic development efforts underway in the community, meeting with Wall Colmonoy, a global manufacturing company launching an apprenticeship program with UNM-Valencia and local partners.
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