By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Part 4 of 4 in “Rio Rancho’s Economic Playbook,” a series on the city’s economic development strategy. Every day, 47,000 Sandoval County residents drive out of town for work — and take $3.1 billion in annual payroll with them. Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Schalow says that […]
Rio Rancho
Posted inRio Rancho
Sandoval Economic Alliance claims nearly 1,500 jobs and $2 billion in output — and its biggest 2026 win isn’t counted yet
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Part 3 of 4 in “Rio Rancho’s Economic Playbook,” a series on the city’s economic development strategy. The Sandoval Economic Alliance has assisted 20 economic development projects since 2020, helped generate nearly 1,500 jobs and produced what it calculates as a nearly 400% return on the city’s investment. And its […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho man faces 9 felony counts in Flock camera vandalism spree
A Rio Rancho man is facing nine felony charges after police say he ripped out and destroyed city-owned license plate reader cameras and solar equipment along NM 528, leaving handmade “Republic of New Mexico” flags in their place. The man is charged with three counts each of larceny over $2,500, criminal damage to property over […]
Posted inRio Rancho
City Center’s big bet: Rio Rancho pitches 43 acres as the region’s next employment hub
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Part 2 of 4 in “Rio Rancho’s Economic Playbook,” a series on the city’s economic development strategy. For years, City Center was the punchline — a mostly empty stretch of land off King Boulevard that even boosters struggled to defend. Economic Development Manager Alberto Solis says that’s about to change. […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rethinking growth: Is Rio Rancho’s 30-year economic playbook due for an upgrade?
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Part 1 of 4 in “Rio Rancho’s Economic Playbook,” a series on the city’s economic development strategy. Rio Rancho has reorganized its economic development strategy at least three times since the late 1990s — and City Manager Matt Geisel thinks it’s time for the Governing Body to decide what the […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho library marks 250 years of the Declaration of Independence
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho readers can walk through 250 years of democratic history without leaving Loma Colorado Main Library, as a new exhibition tracing the global ripple effects of the Declaration of Independence is now open. “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” runs July 1 through September 12 at the […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho firefighters launch month-long food, school supply drive
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue kick off a monthlong Food and Back-to-School Drive July 7 through August 7, collecting non-perishable food for St. Felix Food Pantry and school supplies for local students, the department announced in a press release. “We invite everyone to join us in helping ensure that no […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho pumps the brakes on Maverik gas station
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Neighbors who spent weeks circulating petitions and distributing flyers against a proposed Maverik gas station near Enchanted Hills Elementary School got a reprieve Thursday night when the Rio Rancho Governing Body voted 4-2 to postpone the site plan vote until September 10. The vote delayed — but did not kill […]
Posted inRio Rancho
The science of suds: How an environmental engineer built a brewery empire
By Tristen Critchfield It all started during a transitory phase in life, a new hobby acquired to alleviate boredom. An engineer by day, Scott Salvas used to blow off steam in his down time by playing gigs with various local bands. After he and his wife moved into a new home, Salvas decided to let […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho council takes up 350-home development, water rights purchase Thursday
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s Governing Body meets Thursday with decisions on the table that will shape the city’s growth for years — including a 350-home subdivision, a water rights purchase and a cluster of zoning changes that range from a new fitness center to a Maverik gas station. The council returns to […]