Partner Spotlight: Lordsburg-hidalgo Chamber of commerce

ReNew Mexico recently sat down with our newest partner, the Lordsburg-Hidalgo Chamber of Commerce, to discuss their community, their work, and their plans for the future of their community. Read more below: 

Hidalgo County is located in the furthest southwestern corner of the state, bordering Arizona to the west and Mexico to the south. Lordsburg is the first town that travelers encounter when they are coming from Arizona from Interstate 10. It is the half-way point for travelers between Tucson and El Paso with many fuel and fast food options. This once-bustling, pre-interstate highway and railroad town has dwindled as the years have gone by, but just like any other small town in New Mexico and across America, community leaders are working to develop economic and expansion opportunities for the area, based on current conditions and opportunities.

Just prior to the onset of the pandemic, the Lordsburg Hidalgo County Chamber of Commerce was in the development phase of the #ExploreHidalgo initiative to expand opportunities for economic development around outdoor recreation and tourism. One of the first priorities in the strategic plan is to work with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) to become a Gateway Community thereby bringing more marketing funds, support for businesses that serve hikers, and new business/expansion opportunities. Hidalgo County hosts the southernmost trailhead for the Continental Divide Trail and Lordsburg is one of the very few places along the 3,100 mile trail that hikers actually walk right through town. 

With a population of 4,198 in an area of 3,437 square miles (or 1.4 persons per square mile), Hidalgo County was designated by the USDA as a frontier community, which is even more remote than a rural community. In many respects these are dire points of data. But in the perspective of renewable energy, this may be encouraging for additional economic development opportunities within Hidalgo County.  Economic diversity and stability are so very important. However, the availability of permits and transmission lines from the southwestern part of the state are potential barriers to consider.   

We invite you to check out their new website, VisitLordsburg.com, which has more pictures and interactive content than before. We’ll also include more digital handles below, but if you’re in the area you can also stop by at 206 Main Street. 

There are plenty of things to do and see in and around Hidalgo County.  We hope that you will take some time to enjoy them! 

Check out their online content!

• Email: VisitLordsburg@gmail.com
• Call: 575-542-9864