Village Postpones Vote On Economic Development Measure

By John Larson

MAGDALENA – The Village Board of Trustees put off a motion to being the process to adopt a new village ordinance proposed by the New Mexico Economic Development Dept. that would ostensibly encourage new businesses to locate in Magdalena.
Tim Hagaman, NMED’s Region 1 representative, proposed the new ordinance at the Board’s Monday night meeting.
He said 60 to 70 communities have already passed the ordinance and that the Municipal League supports it.
“It would be a platform from which to work with the state’s Economic Development department,” Hagaman said. “It would require the trustees to assign an outside agency to forward the plan. I recommend the Magdalena Community Development Corporation. They have been around for a while and this will give them more focus for Magdalena to bring in infrastructure that is needed. They would also help with other local businesses to expand their business.”
He also pointed out that the state would require the village to impose its own gross receipts tax.
“Only village can bring in economic development and so far it has not brought in economic development,” Hagaman said.
Trustee Diane Allen said she had serious reservations about the proposal.
“With jobs coming into the community we would face a gamut of problems,” she sad. “In my hometown outsiders came in and got into positions of power and open it up to a lot of development. When the voters asked questions these people did not listen to them.  There was no real forethought put into it and right now they have major problems.”
Allen said there were certain sections in the ordinance she would need further information on.
“What is the liability to the village. What type of village control would there be. It can get so out of control down the road,” Allen said. “At this point in time I am opposed to it.”
Trustee Barbara Baca said she felt that some change is good and some change is bad.
“I don’t want Magdalena to become a Santa Fe,” Baca said. “It used to be a  nice community, and now you have to go down the road with your doors locked.”
Baca then made the motion to table the item until the ordinance can be examined with an attorney.

Village Postpones Vote On Economic Development Measure