Rep. Gabe Vasquez Secures Historic Investment for South Valley Economic Development Center to Boost Job Growth
This investment is part of Community Project Funding Vasquez secured for 15 projects across the district
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today, March 28, 2024, U.S. RepresentativeGabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) delivered an $850,000 check to the South Valley Economic Development Center (SVEDC) for the construction of an agricultural economic development center to help address food insecurity and increase job growth in this sector as part of the $13.9 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) he secured for 15 projects across the district.
“The South Valley Economic Development Center has long been a cornerstone for fostering entrepreneurship and job creation in southern New Mexico,” said Vasquez. “This historic investment represents a significant opportunity to witness tangible benefits from federal funding. The investments in the center will help bolster our local economy by creating sustainable employment opportunities and empowering small farms, while also addressing crucial issues such as food security.”
“We are so grateful to Representative Gabe Vasquez for understanding the needs of the community and local food development and answering our call for support with $850,000 in congressionally directed spending for this project,” said Josue Olivares, Rio Grande Community Development Corporation. “This support not only helps bring the project to the finish line, but also amplifies the work of food systems and economic development in New Mexico. We are very grateful to the Representative for his championship.”
“We want to see economic growth in our neighborhoods and provide healthy foods in our communities. With the expansion at the South Valley Economic Development Center, we will not only see an increase in jobs but enable small farms to clean and process specialized fruits and vegetables and share healthy foods with more schools, hospitals and community centers,” said Bernalillo County District 2 Commissioner, Steven Michael. “I am extremely proud of our partnership with the SVEDC and the local culinary artisans it supports through its food business center. This expansion and additional investment in the South Valley will continue to elevate our community’s agricultural legacy.”
“With the new facility we’ll move beyond washing and packing 10,000 pounds of food each week to include value-added processing, including dehydration, freeze drying and new products like salsas, and process 50,000 pounds of food each week with yearly increases,” said Helga Garcia Garza, Agri-cultura Network.
“it is my pleasure to join Representative Vasquez in supporting the South Valley Economic Development Center project, and the public private partnership between Bernalillo County, the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, and Agri-cultura Network to continue the economic and community development of the South Valley and providing a pathway for food security in New Mexico,” said State Senator Linda Lopez.
For the first time since this funding was made available, New Mexico’s second congressional district is benefitting from these federal investments. The projects Vasquez fought for prioritize public safety, bringing good-paying jobs to the district, supporting families and ensuring access to clean water and improved wastewater systems.
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