August 21, 2014

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $75,000 to Help Taos County Economy and Workers

Rebound in the Wake of Major Mine Operation Closure in Questa, New Mexico
U.S. Senator Tom Udall and U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján Applaud Federal Effort to Diversify the Local Economy and Retrain Workers
 
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $75,000 grant to the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to provide critical technical assistance to Taos County that will help them address the economic impacts of the Chevron Molybdenum mine closure and the resultant job loss.
 
“The Obama administration is committed to helping communities impacted by major economic challenges develop and implement their plans to diversify, grow, and provide the critical skills that displaced workers need to compete,” said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams. “The EDA grant announced today will help Taos County and the Village of Questa capitalize on the opportunities available for assistance to address the mine closure.”
 
“The closure of the mine in Questa is devastating to the workers, their families and the region, and I'm dedicated to helping the community rebuild the economy. I’m pleased that the Economic Development Administration has acted quickly to provide Taos County with funding for critical help to maximize available federal resources and address the economic impacts of the Chevron mine closure,” said U.S. Senator Tom Udall (NM). “The EDA grant will help the Village of Questa as it develops a long-term plan to grow the economy and will provide training opportunities to help workers find new jobs.”
 
“In this difficult time for the Questa community, the mine workers, and all those impacted by the closure of the Chevron mine, these funds will assist with important efforts to create new opportunities for these hard-working men and women,” said U.S. Representative Ben Ray Luján.  “A workforce training program is a key component that will help workers get the skills and training they need to find a good job.”

In August, 2014, 300 miners employed at the Chevron-owned Questa mine were laid off when the mine permanently closed.  The EDA investments will provide technical assistance to Taos County to address the economic impacts of the Chevron Molybdenum mine closure and the resultant 300 displaced workforce in Questa, including building a workforce training program tailored to the interests and abilities of displaced employees.
 
NCNMEDD is an association of local units of government and other organizations created to encourage and allow regional cooperation on a multitude of issues.
 
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

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