U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich praised a new report demonstrating the strong link between the protection of public lands and economic growth.
A report released by the Small Business Majority, a national small business advocacy organization, shows that the 11 national monuments designated by President Obama, including the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, have created a total of $156 million of new economic activity and helped create 1,820 new jobs. Heinrich says this shows the importance of protecting public lands.
“This proves once again that while these lands belong to all of us,” Heinrich said. “To all of you, as well as to all of my constituents. It is our local communities that get to benefit from the economic activity that happens as a result of these designations.”
Heinrich says visitors from across the country and around the world are fueling New Mexico's tourism industry and creating new jobs and business opportunities.
“Visitors who travel to these new National Monuments for their incredible outdoor recreation opportunities,” Heinrich said. “Their history, and their culture, bring these tourism dollars to our local communities. These new visitors are great for local companies that specialize in sporting gear, in guiding visitors in their newfound hiking, hunting and fishing adventures. And they fill beds in hotels, and they eat at local restaurants.”
Heinrich says Southern New Mexico businesses are already seeing the effects of the designation.
“Almost two years into the Organ Mountains- Desert Peaks designation,” Heinrich said. “Local Businesses in the Las Cruces and Mesilla areas are using this new monument in promotional materials, their fielding questions from customers and visitors, and their introducing new products directly related to the monument.”
