Q&A: Chamber director talks about license bill, festival

Editor’s note: The following is one in a series of continuing question-and-answer sessions with area leaders. Karl Terry is the executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce.

Which legislation presented in this session will have the greatest impact on the local business and economy?

We’re looking at a decrease in budget. There’s going to be flat (budgets) at most agencies. That’s going to put stress back on our local communities and businesses. Within those communities, we will have to step up and support local government and agencies.

The driver’s license bill is going to be the most contentious. It has ramifications in our area with access to Cannon Air Force Base. We’ve got contractors who were permitted to be on base. Now it’s not totally clear (if they will have access).

Are there any issues which will pose a problem for the chamber of commerce in 2016?

The budget is just flat and (a decrease) ratchets the pressure tighter. We do a lot with tourism co-op money and that has a direct impact.

I’m hearing road money for the county will be scarce. This storm that we had is going to take a heavy toll on the roads and some will be in really bad shape. Extra road money is going to be hard come by.

What is your perspective on the number of entertainment-focused businesses present in the county?

One of the areas we are hearing the most about quality of life is (from) Cannon Air Force Base families. We meet with them on a regular basis in quality-of-life meetings and try to keep them apprised of the things that are going on. I think we’re doing well. We have a campus and a strong, vibrant downtown. I am so tickled that Sandy Vigil is back at Portales MainStreet Program. She’s an excellent advocate, and she’s going to be a big force in steering things toward downtown.

Over the past five years we’ve made a good impression on people moving to the area. We want to continue to do that. We’d like to have a new theater and things like that but those may be harder to come by. I think we’ll see some development related to the traveling public and restaurants from the stadium being built.

Which events are you most excited for this year?

We had an outstanding Peanut Festival and our board is really excited for the direction it’s headed. We’re working hard to make sure that is our signature event in October. There’s so much that can be done there. We were able to get vendors from all over the region. People get a chance to do some Christmas shopping and hear area bands. We had lots of new stuff like the Society for Creative Anachronism doing the Renaissance village.

— Compiled by Correspondent Shaun Banther