Bernalillo County will host its fourth community dialogue meeting focused on economic development this Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Vista Grande Community Center in Sandia Park.
The meeting, titled “Building a Strong, Competitive Economy,” is part of a series of public forums designed to gather resident input on the county’s economic development strategy. It will take place at 15 La Madera Road and is scheduled to run until 10:30 a.m.
The community dialogue sessions are being organized by a nine-member steering committee that was created at the direction of the county’s board of commissioners to assist the Economic Development Department. The committee includes representatives from local businesses, employers, community organizations and various industries.
“We want to hear what our friends and neighbors believe is important as far as economic development,” said Marcos Gonzales, Bernalillo County Executive Development Officer. “We are using your comments to inform our Economic Development Department’s future strategies and programming.”
The steering committee is working on a comprehensive report that will be presented to the county board of commissioners in October. The committee’s mandate focuses on developing an inclusive and resilient economic strategy for the county.
Saturday’s meeting will be the fourth in a series of five scheduled community dialogues. The first was held in June at the South Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, followed by sessions that included one on July 29 at the Taylor Ranch Branch Library. County officials report that the discussions at previous meetings have been both lively and informative.
The county is providing several amenities to encourage attendance, including light meals served 30 minutes before each meeting begins, translation services and a Mobile Recreation Unit to provide entertainment for children.
One final meeting remains in the series, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Hiland Theater at 4804 Central Avenue SE in Albuquerque. That session will focus on “Quality of Place, Quality Jobs.”
Community members are welcome to attend any of the meetings based on their areas of interest. More information about Bernalillo County’s economic development policies and strategies is available on the county’s website.
