On Thursday, March 28, U.S. Representative Gabe 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. The funding will be used to address food insecurity and increase jobs in the South Valley as part of the $13.9 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) Vasquez 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. “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 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 Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada. “This expansion and additional investment in the South Valley will continue to elevate our community’s agricultural legacy.”
Helga Garcia Garza, executive director of Agri-cultura Network, said that the funding will help the nonprofit to process 50,000 pounds of food each week.
It’s the first time since Community Project Funding was made available that New Mexico’s second congressional district has benefited from these federal investments.
Vasquez is running for reelection for District 2 against Republican Yvette Herrell, whom he ousted in the 2022 election.