Las Cruces, New Mexico

identity as both a college town and an attractive destination for outdoor lovers and retirees. Part of what makes Las Cruces attractive is its climate and the surrounding natural landscape. In 2014, the Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument was established, preserving opportunities for outdoor recreation on preserved lands flanking all sides of the city. Major industries in Las Cruces include government jobs and military support, given its proximity to White Sands, Fort Bliss, Holloman Air Force, and a NASA Facility. New Mexico State University, a New Mexico land grant institution, has grown to a student population of approximately 14,400 with strong areas of expertise including its engineering school, agricultural-related research, and academic programming, and its initiatives to support entrepreneurship regionally and statewide. Doña Ana Community College is part of New Mexico State University’s educational system. The city is also the headquarters for Virgin Galactic, the world’s first company to offer sub- orbital spaceflights. Spaceport America, the first worldwide purpose-built spaceport, is located 60 miles north to Las Cruces. Griselda T. Martínez is the Director of Las Cruces’ Economic Development Department. Its mission is “to provide targeted business, tourism, and support services to businesses, residents, and visitors so they can invest in, live in, and discover a sustainable community that fosters business growth opportunities, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” The Department’s five major programs are: Visit Las Cruces, the city’s Visitors Bureau; Business Development, which offers a number of citywide initiatives to new and existing businesses; Destination Downtown, which offers business support and financing incentives for downtown development projects; Airport Development, which is concerned with the growth of the Las Cruces International Airport in the areas of aviation, aerospace, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS); and Land Management and Real Estate, which includes the