New Mexico
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico bringing thrift store, job services to Carlsbad
Store plans ribbon cutting at end of February and grand opening in March
About 17.6% of New Mexicans lived in poverty as of 2022, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
That’s the fourth highest poverty rate in the nation, after Virginia at 17.9%, 18.6%in Louisiana and 19.1% in Mississippi.
That rate equated to 364,725 people in New Mexico living below the federal poverty line, defined last year by an individual income of $14,580, gradually increasing to $50,560 a year for a family of eight.
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Poverty can put people at risk for mental illness, chronic disease, higher mortality and lower life expectancy, read a report from the U.S. Center for Disease Prevent and Health Promotion.
“Poverty is a multifaceted issue that will require multipronged approaches to address. Strategies that improve the economic mobility of families may help to alleviate the negative effects of poverty,” the report read.
In Carlsbad, a statewide organization is bringing one possible solution to Pierce Street, where Goodwill Industries of New Mexico plans to open a thrift store by the end of February.
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Construction at the location, 1108 W. Pierce St. was underway with a ribbon cutting scheduled for Feb. 29.
The building will be 23,000 square feet and occupy the space previously housing Union Home and Industrial.
The store will employ 18 local workers, said Goodwill Chief Executive Officer Shauna Castle, and will sell donated, lightly used home goods and clothes to fund the nonprofit’s free workforce programs also held at the location.
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The Carlsbad store will be Goodwill’s 18th location in New Mexico, and if it’s successful Castle said another could be opened in Hobbs.
Goodwill already has stores in Chaves and Curry counties in eastern New Mexico, along with six other counties in the northwest region of the state.
The organization’s services are also available in every other New Mexico County, except Doña Ana, Otero, Lincoln, Sierra, Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties in the southwest region.
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Goodwill’s programs put 1,550 people into jobs as of 2023, Castle said, and helped 21,000 others through its other services.
“We’re really excited to be able to come to Carlsbad,” Castle said. “We want to be sure we’re serving the entire state.
Chief Services Officer Sesha Lee said Goodwill’s “Good Jobs” program will help find jobs through the Carlsbad location for anyone 16 and older.
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She said as Goodwill’s operations get started in the city, these programs will be tailored to the unique needs of the community.
That will also include various worker and life skills training, Lee said, and support services for veterans including rent help for homeless vets.
Goodwill presently offers training for production assistants for TV and film, along with other job readiness programs, a reintegration program for unhoused veterans and employment aid for low income seniors aged 50 and up.
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“Employment is a need across the board,” Lee said. “Services will continue to be developed, customized things for particular industries.”
In Carlsbad, that could include help finding construction jobs, work in the oilfield or even at restaurants in the city.
Castle said Goodwill executives planned to meet with Carlsbad and Eddy County officials and business leaders in the coming weeks to determine what is needed in the community and how the organization can meet demand.
“Through our services, people can rise up out of poverty,” Castle said. “While there are some great jobs in the oilfield, a lot of people are still not finding jobs.”
She Goodwill was also interested in partnering with Southeast New Mexico College, which recently established its independence from the New Mexico State University system, in an apparent move to focus on workforce training.
“That would be a relationship we would want to develop,” Castle said. “There is this big shift from the four-year degree to the trades. It’s how do we bridge that gap.”
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.
New Mexico
Eastern Florida State Men's Golf Places 14th at National Tournament in New Mexico – Space Coast Daily
Titans shot a 293 in the final round
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Eastern Florida State College men’s golf team finished 14th overall at the NJCAA Division I National Tournament Friday in Hobbs, New Mexico.
The Titans shot a 293 in the final round, moving up one spot on the final day.
Freshman Masen McKain shot a 2-under 69 in the final round, posting an eagle on the 18th hole to finish the round. It marks the fourth straight round that the Titans have posted an eagle and McKain had an eagle in each of the past two rounds on different holes.
He finished the tournament 5 over and is tied for 33rd overall.
Adam Vermut shot a 3-over 74 and tied for 40th overall while Bryan Hernandez and Hugo Griesheimer each shot 75s. Nick Miller finished with a 78.
“Good closing round by Masen but a struggle all week for the team. They scrapped and hung in there each day, but we never had a good run turn into a good round,” Eastern Florida State College men’s golf coach Jamie Howell said.
“Rockwind Links is a good test of golf and an excellent venue for a national championship. Our returning players, Masen and Hugo can take away plenty of information to share with next year’s teammates. For Adam, Nick, and Bryan, they do the same for their college of transfer.”
New Mexico Junior College won the tournament, shooting a 272 in the final round to top Odessa College.
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When you travel, one of the best feelings is going to a warm and welcoming town. While you know a welcoming town when you experience one, it’s harder to define what makes a place inviting. A combination of vibrant culture, history, natural places, and passionate people all contribute to making a town inviting. In New Mexico, this is what the most welcoming towns have in common. Madrid, for example, has a vibrant community with art galleries and a rich history. Jemez Springs invites people to the natural scenery and famous hot springs. These are only a few of the most inviting towns in New Mexico. Here, we will explore New Mexico’s seven most inviting towns.
Madrid
One of the most welcoming towns in New Mexico is Madrid. The small town has under 300 residents, but despite its small size, there is a vibrant community. Madrid is well known as a funky, artistic community in the narrow canyon of the Ortiz Mountains. There are many art galleries, shops, boutiques and museums throughout the town. One of the best galleries in town is the Johnsons of Madrid Galleries which features the work of Mel Johnson plus 100 other local artists.
While Madrid is a thriving art community today, the town wasn’t always this way. In fact, Madrid used to be a mining town. However, when the coal market collapsed, the town became a ghost town. In the 60s and ’70s hippies and artists settled in the community, making the warm, vibrant community that exists today. The Madrid Old Coal Town Museum, explains more about the town’s history.
Corrales
Corrales, New Mexico, is a bigger town than Madrid, with a population of around 9,000. However, Corrales still maintains its inviting rural, small-town atmosphere. The area has agricultural heritage, and the community celebrates all things local. Many people in the town live a rural lifestyle. There are many farms selling fruits and vegetables available at the local Growers Market. There are farms to visit to grab local produce and goods as well. For example, Heidi’s Raspberry Farm sells an assortment of jams using USDA Certified Organic Raspberries.
There are also historic buildings in Corrales giving an idea of what life was like in the old town. The Casa San Ysidro is a restoration of an adobe home built in the 1870s. The town has festivals throughout the year that celebrate the community and local culture. Some of the festivals include the Garden Tour, Corrales Art Studio Tour, the Harvest Festival, the Scarecrow Festival, and the Starlight Parade.
Jemez Springs
A small town that shows off the inviting charm of New Mexico’s outdoors is Jemez Springs. The town is north of Albuquerque along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. People have been traveling to the area since the 1800s to experience the nurturing hot springs. There are natural hot springs to enjoy as well as secluded, more luxurious hot springs. The Jemez Springs Bath House offers cool or hot mineral soaks and healing massages. Some of the natural hot springs to enjoy outdoors include McCauley Warm Springs, Spence Hot Springs, and San Antonio Hot Springs. Beyond the hot springs, there is a lot of natural beauty to enjoy in the town, including the wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera Preserve. Fenton Lake State Park is a local camping spot with the backdrop of the Jemez Mountains. The beautiful scenery in Jemez Springs invites people to unplug and connect to nature and the community.
Tucumcari
Tucumcari is a small town that invites you with nostalgia. Home to murals, roadside motels, diners, and museums, Tucumcari is one of the most interesting towns to explore. The town even has its own drive-in movie theater, Foxy Drive-In, which first opened in 1956. Walk around town and enjoy the small business that invites you in with its historic charm.
To learn more about the town’s history, visit the Tucumcari Historical Museum. There is also the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum. This museum has the world’s largest collection of full-scale bronze dinosaur skeletons. Tucumcari also has colorful murals around town, including one of the world’s largest murals devoted to Route 66 in the United States.
Santa Rosa
Situated on the Pecos River is the beautiful town of Santa Rosa. Full of picturesque stone buildings in the historic district, Santa Rosa invites people to relax and enjoy the scenery. There are many recreational trails around town, making for a friendly, outgoing community atmosphere. Santa Rosa’s claim to fame is the Blue Hole. The natural artesian spring is 81 feet deep and is a popular spot to scuba dive. The Blue Hole has earned Santa Rosa the title of the “Scuba Diving Capital of the Southwest.”
Above all, Santa Rosa values community. Some of the local businesses have been around for decades, such as Silver Moon Cafe. The restaurant is a local staple and first opened in 1959. Today, it is well known for its signature New Mexican dishes and American favorites.
Raton
Similar to other towns on this list, Raton is a small town in New Mexico known for its outdoor scenery. Situated in the Rocky Mountains, Raton is the highest point on the Historic Santa Fe Trail. Around town, there are dazzling views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Around Raton there are many opportunities to explore and enjoy nature. Sugarite Canyon State Park is near town and is great spot to enjoy some hiking.
While Raton is a small town with a population of under 6,000 people, the people are proud of their heritage. This shows in the local cuisine. Many local restaurants make use of the green Chile and unique regional cuisine. Overall, the relaxed way of life in Raton makes it an inviting town to explore.
Mountainair
The small town of Mountainair in New Mexico has a welcoming vibe combined with stunning scenery. The charming town has historic ruins, art galleries, charming shops, forest trails, horseback riding, mountains, and hiking trails to explore. Historic sites in town merge the past with the present. There are three major historic sites that attract historians and visitors every year to the town. The Ancient Cities of Mountainair are Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira. The community also hosts festivals throughout the year, including the annual Sunflower Festival in August.
All the towns on this list are warm and welcoming places to go. Whether you are looking to plan a road trip or move to a new town, these small towns in New Mexico would make a great destination. After visiting any of these small towns, you will want to call them home after only a few days. The vibrant culture, history, local businesses, and nature make for an inviting atmosphere.
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