On July 13, 2022, a check for $100,000 was presented to Electronic Caregiver (ECG) executives in support of its latest expansion in downtown Las Cruces. The award came from the El Paso Electric (EPE) New Mexico Economic Development Fund. The money is “to assist in the creation of 120 new jobs here in Las Cruces,” Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA) CEO Davin Lopez said.
MVEDA’s role is to identify projects, conducts ROI analysis and due diligence, and then provides a recommendation to the Community Advisors who have final approval. The Community Foundation of Southern NM manages the overall grant dollars for all applicants receiving funding.
ECG’s workforce expansion is also supported by funding from the State of New Mexico Job Incentive Training Program (JTIP) and the City of Las Cruces WagePlus program.
It is “a game-changing investment,” said John Hummer, one of EPE’s community advisors on the $20 million fund. MVEDA helps identify projects for funding and CFSNM manages grant funds. Hummer said he is impressed with the “passion and energy level” at ECG. “There’s something going on here,” he said.
“We’re doing well, we’re going gangbusters,” said ECG Executive Director John Muñoz, who thanked the community “for embracing what we want to do and our vision.”
In addition to the announced employment expansion, Electronic Caregiver (ECG) President Joe Baffoe announced that ECG has purchased the 11-story tower at 506 S. Main. “We bought it. This is our home. It’s an investment in Las Cruces.” The tower, built in 1962, is 120 feet tall (easily the tallest building in Las Cruces) and has 11 stories and 105,000 square feet. ECG’s footprint also includes the Addison Care building next door to the tower.
Baffoe credited Pioneer Bank for its assistance in the purchase. Pioneer President Kiel Hoffman is “the best banker in town,” Baffoe said. “We love them.”
For more information about the El Paso Electric New Mexico Economic Development Fund, contact MVEDA at (575) 525-2852.
Quotes courtesy of Mike Cook of the Las Cruces Bulletin. Posted August 2, 2022.
