§ 2-14-020. Economy of the city.
The economy of Otero County and Alamogordo is extremely dependent on federal defense related employment. The most recent statistics (April 1996) indicate the following:
April 1996 April 1995 Total labor force 21,376 19,962 Employed 19,885 18,779 Unemployed 1,491 1,183 Unemployment rate 7.0% 5.9% Defense related employment
Holloman AFB Civilian 1,630 Military 4,700 White Sands Missile Range Civilian 3,640 Military 790 (Note: 12% of WSMR civilian work force resides in Alamogordo)
A review of these statistics shows the labor force is growing faster than the jobs available. Total employment is growing but unemployment is growing even faster. Of the total labor force, five thousand two hundred (5,200) or twenty-four and four-tenths (24.4) percent work for the federal government. In addition to the direct government jobs there are large numbers of workers employed by government contractors such as Dyn Corp. and Lockheed-Martin. Along with the civilian employment the five thousand eight hundred (5,800) military have a major impact in the area buying cars, renting homes, etc. Without a definitive economic base study it is difficult to determine exactly the economic impact of the large amount of defense related activity. It is safe to say that it provides over fifty (50) percent of the area's economic base. Current defense budgets would seem stable enough to continue the present employment levels. However, it is a serious mistake to take government employment for granted and an unexpected change in the nation's priorities could spell disaster for the city. While there are some workers who commute to HAFB and WSMR from Las Cruces and El Paso, the number is relatively small. However, this factor would not change the city's dependence on the government.
The nongovernment related value added sector of the economy (i.e. manufacturing and tourism) is small. Manufacturing accounts for only about nine hundred (900) jobs and suffers from limited logging which hurts the wood products industry and the loss of Active Technologies which moved to another state. The tourist industry while not affected by the strategic plan is a factor in the local economy. As shown by the attendance figures reported below there has been little growth or uneven attendance at the areas major attractions.
Travel and Tourism Attendance:
(New Mexico Progress Economic Review)1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 Space Center 180,666 174,203 189,829 213,371 193,785 White Sands National Monument 604,810 583,100 611,300 570,400 588,500 In summary, the Alamogordo area economy is flat. It benefits immensely from federal spending and is almost totally dependent on it. The business/commercial/manufacturing/tourism portion of the economy is not growing. Job opportunities are limited.
Future developments:
The city expects the business community through the Otero County Economic Development Council, Inc. and the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce to exercise leadership in any economic development program that will bring new jobs and investment to the region.
Cooperation with the plans and programs at Holloman AFB and WSMR is essential to the future of Alamogordo.
A well thought out targeted marketing program will be necessary if the community is to achieve its goals of more jobs and diversification.
Additional assistance from New Mexico State agencies such as the Economic Development Deptartment and the Highway Department will be essential if Alamogordo is to achieve its goals.
Private Sector Employment
2nd Quarter 1995
Industry Total Employment Average Weekly Earnings Agriculture—Forestry, Fish 138 $256.00 Construction 1,070 338.00 Building 429 290.00 Heavy Building 107 545.00 Special trades 534 335.00 Manufacturing 956 476.00 Food 42 139.00 Lumber 198 318.00 Printing 67 315.00 Stone, clay, glass 41 327.00 Machinery 58 318.00 All others 549 607.00 Transportation, communication and utilities 872 427.00 Passenger 88 215.00 Motor freight 161 312.00 Service 30 226.00 Communications 82 442.00 Electric and gas 119 534.00 Wholesale trade 237 332.00 Wholesale—Durable 85 353.00 Wholesale—Nondurable 152 321.00 Retail trade 3,262 220.00 Building 109 261.00 General merchandise 349 228.00 Food 571 278.00 Auto and service 335 416.00 Apparel 56 147.00 Furniture 146 277.00 Eating and drinking 1,354 140.00 Miscellaneous retail 342 219.00 Finance, insurance, & RE 524 312.00 Banking 228 360.00 Credit agencies 15 598.00 Insurance carriers 38 316.00 Insurance agents 73 309.00 Real estate 154 222.00 Services 4,680 379.00 Personal 153 209.00 Business 549 464.00 Auto repair 134 244.00 Miscellaneous repair 17 232.00 Motion picture 28 131.00 Amusements 180 224.00 Health 914 398.00 Legal 43 307.00 Education 164 288.00 Social 221 248.00 Technical and business services 910 622.00 Private households 15 178.00 All others 1,352 267.00
(Ord. No. 983, 8-13-96)