The Paper | Rio Rancho Newsletter, July 8, 2026

The Paper. in Rio Rancho

Your daily guide to living in the City of Vision.

July 8, 2026 | Reading time: 4 mins

Today is Wednesday, July 8 and here’s what’s making news in the City of Vision…

It’s economic development week at The Paper. Rio Rancho is growing. The population is up, the grocery stores are multiplying and the national labs keep hiring. But who’s actually steering the city’s economic future — and is it working?

In June, the Rio Rancho Governing Body held a work session that brought together City Manager Matt Geisel, Economic Development Manager Alberto Solis, Sandoval Economic Alliance President Fred Shepherd and Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Schalow to answer exactly those questions.

The Paper. was there. What follows is the third of a four-part series breaking down what they said, what the numbers show and what comes next for the city’s economy.

Plus, Rio Rancho Fire and St. Felix Pantry are teaming up for a back-to-school drive.

The Paper. in Rio Rancho is live at riorancho.news and can be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Make sure to follow, subscribe and share.

— Kevin Hendricks, editor

Rio Rancho

Sandoval Co.

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Today’s front page

riorancho.news

Sandoval Economic Alliance claims nearly 1,500 jobs and $2 billion in output — and its biggest 2026 win isn’t counted yet – The Paper. in Rio Rancho

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 […]

ICYMI…

riorancho.news

City Center’s big bet: Rio Rancho pitches 43 acres as the region’s next employment hub – The Paper. in Rio Rancho

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. […]

riorancho.news

Rethinking growth: Is Rio Rancho’s 30-year economic playbook due for an upgrade? – The Paper. in Rio Rancho

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 […]

riorancho.news

Rio Rancho firefighters, food pantry team up for first-ever back-to-school drive – The Paper. in Rio Rancho

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho firefighters and St. Felix Pantry are teaming up for the first time ever, launching a monthlong food and school supply drive that runs through Aug. 7. The partnership came together fast. Pantry president and CEO Tim Sheehan said he reached out to Fire Chief James Wenzel after watching […]

sandovalsignpost.com

Placitas PREP to offer tips for riding out a shelter-in-place period – Sandoval Signpost

By Rodd Cayton Any number of incidents could create a need for residents to shelter in place, and a Placitas group is seeking to ensure they know the best ways to do so. Placitas Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Alliance (PREP), to that end, is presenting its next community briefing on that topic. PREP President Allen […]

Looking for more news around Sandoval County? Subscribe to our other newsletters: Sandoval Signpost (Placitas & Bernalillo) & Corrales Comment.

Today’s newsletter is brought to you with ♥ by Pat, Devin, Kevin, Tierna, Rachel, Sara, Rodd, Jesse, Julian, Roberto and office dogs Jack, Henry & Akira. We are proudly 100% solar powered, local, independent and powered by donations from readers who support local news.

POLITICS in The Paper.

From our news partners at The Paper. in ABQ & NM Political Report.

abq.news

New Mexico Environment Department to hold hearing for Project Jupiter data center air quality permit – The Paper.

This story was originally published by Source NM By Joshua Bowling, Source NM The New Mexico Environment Department will hold a public hearing on the pending air quality permit application […]

nmpoliticalreport.com

New Mexico Republicans want special session to end income tax, but that’s a nonstarter with Dems – New Mexico Political Report

By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — New Mexicans watching their wallets as gas prices go on a roller coaster ride this summer could get a big break if three House Republican leaders get their way. New Mexico House GOP leaders, including Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena; Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Rio Rancho; and Caucus […]

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What else we’re reading…

Here’s what else is making news around New Mexico.

abq.news

For “death doulas”, end of life is just part of the process of being human – The Paper.

By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – When Danielle Slupesky talks about death, she does so with a calmness that might surprise people. As the founder and executive director of the […]

www.koat.com

New Mexico confirms three cases of cyclosporasis

Health officials in New Mexico have confirmed three cases of cyclosporiasis this year, as the CDC reports over 140 cases across 17 states linked to contaminated produce.

www.koat.com

New Mexico Senator pulls support for Maine Senate candidate accused of rape

Graham Platner, a Maine Democratic Senate candidate, has been accused of rape, leading to New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich to withdraw his support for the candidate.

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by readers who donated to support the independent, local journalists who wrote the stories you just read.

With details on the hot new coffee spot opening on 550, schedules for this week’s events at the Block and an explanation of the big debates in city hall, we’re covering Rio Rancho like no one else.

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See and be seen.

Our insider’s picks to getting the most out of living in the 505 this week.

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Corrales Run Club | Jul 9 | Ex Novo Brewing | The Paper

Meet us at the taproom Thursdays at 5pm for an easygoing group run and a beer after.All paces welcome. Come as you are. Stay for a pint.Join the Corrales Run Club on Strava to follow along https://www.strava.com/clubs/1840523

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Beatz Bingo | Jul 9 | Tractor Brewing Westside | The Paper

Beatz Bingo

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