This month, nearly 2,000 students arrive to begin their fall semester at New Mexico Tech. Nearly 400 of them will be new students who have never been to Socorro before. The chamber, working with Tech’s Residential Life department, has produced a 24-page coupons and discounts booklet, which will be distributed to new and returning students at the beginning of the school year. The booklet, which offers exclusive discounts to Tech students, is intended to attract students to chamber-member businesses.
Tech students like helping the community. Several Tech clubs (such as the Society of Women Engineers) have participated in Keep Socorro Beautiful cleanups. Also, a Tech student assisted chamber-member Linda Arteche of Toonda’s Treasures by handing out flyers on the Plaza for a few hours in exchange for a great deal on merchandise.
Where Does the Tax Go?
It’s time for another holiday: the annual New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday. For three days, Aug. 7, 8 and 9, New Mexicans can purchase back-to-school supplies absolutely tax-free, including shoes and clothing under $100, computers under $1,000, backpacks, calculators and other school necessities.
The other 362 days of the year, people pay gross receipts taxes (or what is sometimes referred to incorrectly as sales tax) and hardly give it a thought.
Businesses charge tax for goods and services and pay it to the state in the form of gross receipts tax. For every dollar in gross receipts tax paid to the state, about 50 cents is distributed back to the county and city where it was assessed.
For the county of Socorro, it can work out to about $40,000 per month, with a certain percentage earmarked for necessities such as fire protection, the sheriff’s office and detention funds. Although property taxes make up the lion’s share of the county’s operating fund, every penny of gross receipts tax makes a difference.
For the city of Socorro, gross receipts tax distributed back from the state can represent up to 55 percent of the general fund. This helps pays for programs and necessities that have a huge impact on quality of life in Socorro.
Tax codes are used to determine where the tax originated and to ensure that it is distributed back to its source. This is why it’s so important that businesses use correct codes when paying gross receipts taxes, and important to make sure contractors and sub-contractors also use the correct codes. Regardless of the location of a business or office, the code for goods and services provided within the city of Socorro is 25-125, and the code for goods and services provided within the rest of county of Socorro is 25-025.
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department offers free gross receipts tax workshops in both English and Spanish at various locations throughout the state, throughout the year. They can be reached in Santa Fe at 505-827-0700, or call the Socorro County Chamber of Commerce at 575-835-0424 for assistance.
Reimbursements on home and farm projects
The Socorro Soil and Water Conservation District is an active chamber member that assists the agriculture industry as well as all land owners. Socorro SWCD cost-share programs are available for agricultural practices such as laser land leveling, concrete ditch lining and irrigation well rehabilitation. Through these cost shares, people can be reimbursed up to 50 percent of their project’s cost (the maximum paid to any individual per fiscal year is $3,000).
The Socorro SWCD also cost shares residential practices like drip irrigation systems, low-flow water devices (including toilets and showerheads) and offers assistance with soil erosion control. Those projects are just a few of the hundreds eligible for cost sharing. Recently, chamber Director Terry Tadano completed a six-zone drip system at his home and was reimbursed half of his costs.
Socorro SWCD services include assistance with surveying, designing or planning for eligible projects and, in many cases, contractor-ready plans are provided. All Socorro SWCD services are free to qualified land owners (renters must provide a letter from the owner granting permission for installation), so call the SWCD at 838-0078 for additional information. People may also send an e-mail to socorroswcd@qwestoffice. net or visit www.socorroswcd.com.
Member Spotlight – individual members
One category of member, in particular, contributes uniquely – the individual members. They are people who join as individuals, not as businesses. They come from all walks of life, but one thing they have in common is their support for the chamber’s mission to promote the civic and commercial well-being of the city and county.
When member participation is requested, these members are the first to respond, often in person. They RSVP, they vote, they volunteer and stay involved. The individual members of the chamber are Mary Aguilar, Bill Basham, Leroy and Susan Bieber, Fara Earl, George and Rebecca Funkhouser, Mary Gillard, Linda Gonzales, Carol Griswold, Helene Holguin, Gin Jue, Ted Kase, Judy Lovelace, Fernando Mercado, Donna Monette, Gary and Vanetta Perry, Barbara Romero, Betsy Smith and Clinton Wellborn.
Skate-A-Rama!
On Saturday, Aug. 8, Sonic Drive-In will sponsor a Skate-A-Thon, Skate-A-Rama and picnic with proceeds to benefit Toys from Cops to Tots. For more information, call Sue Meza at 835-2413.
Community theater
The Socorro Community Theater will present “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde – “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” set in Texas in 1955. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28 and 29, with a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Historic Garcia Opera House. Tickets will be sold at the door: admission is $8; $7 for seniors and $6 for students. Call 838-0379 or visit www.socorro.com/sct for more information.
New Members
The Fraternal Order of the Eagles raises millions of dollars each year for charities and causes such as child-abuse prevention; medical research; support for armed forces, police and firefighters; assistance for the elderly and more.
Local Aerie (president, Ray Serna, 835-9952) and Auxiliary (president, Archie Romero, 505-507-2507) are dedicated to upholding the order’s commitment to country and community.
Meetings are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (the 13th and 27th this month) at 7 p.m. at 1111 N. California St. Call for information.
Welcome Southwest Auto Body LLC to the list of chamber members. Southwest Auto Body specializes in custom body paint and repairs for both vehicles and motorcycles. and is located at 501 N. Fifth St. Owner Daymen Castagnetto guarantees his work and prides himself on the quality. Call 835-1006 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Free State of Socorro” to Rise Again
Plans are being made for the Seventh Annual Socorrofest on Oct. 9 and 10. Part of the planning involves the creation of “Free State of Socorro” passports, and festival organizers invite the business community to participate and be included in the festivities.
The passports will include information about local businesses, with festival coupons and discounts. To get involved or for more information, call Stephanie DeBrine at 838-7476.
Annual Civitan events
Socorro Civitan will have its annual yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. August 29 at the local Disabled American Veterans Hall on Fifth Street. Donations of clean, working, fun and useful items for the yard sale and silent auction will be appreciated, and can be made by calling 838-0343 after 6 p.m. or sending an e-mail to Socorro-civitan@yahoo.com.
The Civitan’s Seventh Annual Benefit Golf Tournament will be Sunday, Sept. 27, at the New Mexico Tech Golf Course, with prizes and awards, free snacks and lunch, goodie bags and more. Call 575-835-5335 to register.
The mission of Socorro Civitan is to help people who are in need. Money raised at the events will go back out into the community to continue to help those in need.
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