The Rio Grande Council of Governments, a neutral entity formed to further intergovernmental services, has selected Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University as its Organization of the Year.
The award recognizes organizations that further the efforts of the region in addressing a broad array of critical environmental, economic development, emergency communications, and social services needs. In recent years, the El Paso Times Senior Fund and the dental practice of Dr. David M. Rizk have been recipients of this award for their efforts in promoting the ability for adults 60 years and older to remain independent and be able to continue to reside their home.
Arrowhead Center was chosen as Organization of the Year because of their continuous and strong partnership with the Rio Grande Council of Governments in assisting its member governments to further the efforts of economic development in the region.
“Arrowhead Center has been vital to the success of the economic development program in the Rio Grande Council of Governments region. The RGCOG recognizes the center’s contribution and commitment in improving the quality of life of individuals in our region,” said Marisa Quintanilla, regional services director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments.
Arrowhead Center’s function as an Economic Development Administration University Center for Regional Commercialization has allowed the organization to act as a conduit by leveraging its network to better connect the Rio Grande Council of Governments with Doña Ana County, one of its service areas. The council serves areas of West Texas and Southern New Mexico, including Brewster, Presidio, Jeff Davis, Culberson, Hudspeth and El Paso counties in Texas, and Doña Ana County in New Mexico.
Arrowhead’s recognition is based on its commitment to the advancement of small business owners, specifically “¡Sí Se Puede!”, an interactive and hands-on small business workshop for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, small business owners and potential business owners to expand their networks and develop business opportunities. The workshop in July 2015, held at Anthony City Hall in Anthony, N.M., was co-hosted by Arrowhead Center, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and State Sen. Tom Udall, the Small Business Development Center of Las Cruces, the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso and the Frontera Professionals Association. A second workshop is planned for Oct. 15. The October event, which will be held at the Women’s Intercultural Center in Anthony, will also offer attendees a free, education-based childcare component.
“Arrowhead Center is one of a kind. We at the Rio Grande Council of Governments are fortunate enough to be partners with this vital organization. The synergy that has been created because of organizations like Arrowhead Center and the Medical Center of the Americas in El Paso is truly going to change the economic landscape of our region. We are privileged to be a part of something so impactful,” said Annette Gutierrez, executive director of the Rio Grande Council of Governments.
Arrowhead’s commitment to partnering on events such as the “¡Sí Se Puede!” workshop has helped underserved small businesses become more competitive and aware of technologies that are available to them.
“We are excited to be recognized by the Rio Grande Council of Governments and honored to accept this award. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to institutionally link our county with its neighboring counties allowing for inclusiveness and regionalization to action plans at the macro level,” said Griselda Martinez, program manager for New Mexico Small Business Assistance and Arrowhead’s Activando Emprendedores, a Spanish-language entrepreneurial education program.
For more information on the Rio Grande Council of Governments, visitwww.riocog.org
For more information on Arrowhead Center, visit arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu
Information from NMSU