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| Wilson Announces $1.4 Million EDA Grant For El Zócalo |
June 10, 2003 |
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Sandoval County Project will ‘help create new permanent jobs’
Bernalillo, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson announced today that the federal government will invest $1.4 million in Sandoval County to help fund the El Zócalo project in the town of Bernalillo. The funding will be used by the county for the purchase and renovation of this historic property.
“This funding and the resulting development will serve the citizens of the Town of Bernalillo and the rural areas of Sandoval County with career and vocational training opportunities,” said Wilson. “The creation of the development facilities, together with private enterprise, will stimulate long-range economic development to help create new permanent jobs.”
“I commend Sandoval County’s efforts to evaluate and assess this location to house job training programs, tourism industry opportunities, and business incubators for tourism and other industries,” said Wilson. “I look forward to visiting the “El Zócalo” area during its development and when it opens to serve the members of our community.”
The funding comes through the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA’s mission is to help partners across the nation create wealth and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to attract private capital investment and create high-skill, higher-wage jobs.
Wilson backed Sandoval County’s grant request with a letter of support dated November 19, 2002. This funding, $1.4 million, goes towards a $2.3 million project to help fund the El Zócalo project. Sandoval County will purchase and renovate the 3-acre historic property that includes three major buildings, two minor buildings, and an orchard in downtown Bernalillo just north of Albuquerque.
County officials and local businesses hope to create a tourism center, business incubators for tourism, a daycare center, a training facility, and co-location of private businesses within the development. To combat low income and high unemployment, EDA gave top priority to the El Zócalo project because it will serve as a base for economic opportunities in the district.
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