Sandoval News

With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging across much of the nation, the City of Rio Rancho is taking applications for the Business Community and Economic Recovery Task Force.

According to ABQ Journal, the task force has been conceived with the near and long-term economic health and recovery in mind for the City of Rio Rancho. 

Mayor Gregg Hull said that the task force will help the local economy be stronger than ever before, even in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 

While the task force has already been planned, it will not be actually created until May 13 and the governing body regular meeting held then, City Economic Development and Business Relations Manager Matt Geisel said. 

“The task force will most likely look at different types and sizes of businesses. The needs of our home-occupied businesses and micro-enterprises will probably vary from those of our manufacturers,” Geisel said. “And as the ‘new normal’ takes root, new opportunities may manifest.”

Rio Rancho has already compiled a good deal of data, Geisel said, which includes information on unemployment rates, oil prices, U.S. Small Business Administration programs demands and loans such as the Paycheck Protection Program. 

Gross receipt taxes, however, will help the task force better plan for the future and what actions they will take. 

“As we look to migrate from today into the nearer-term reopening of the economy to the longer-term recovery, it is important that we collect input from a diverse group of stakeholders,” Geisel said.

The task force is hopefully going to be composed of business owners, business leaders and entrepreneurs who have the long-term good of Rio Rancho in mind.

Mayor Hull will serve as the task force’s chairman, along with nine members, one seat from each of the city council districts and two at-large seats.