Deming, New Mexico

6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 DEMING, NEW MEX I CO living at.’ We’re just trying to do a better job at telling that story.” Deming staff aren’t just working to help businesses, they’re also working to improve the quality of life in the city for residents. Alexi Jackson, Airport Manager and Community Services Director says the 2.5-acre man made Trees Lake is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in the city for outdoor recreation, fishing and more. They plan to put a floating water park on the lake with a completion date in 2023 that could generate up to $250,000 a year, with plans for much more. Jackson explains, “It’s going to be a big addition to this facility that has already really changed the community. I think it’s made people like us more than they did before… it’s amazing what a body of water has done to the community. It’s unreal. I didn’t know it would be that famous, or that big of a hit.” Deming’s popularity and relatively low cost of living has led to a lack of available housing, leaving it difficult for new residents to move in, but the city is working to address that with Luna County. The city also operates two industrial parks – The Peru Mill Industrial Park off of Interstate 10 and the Deming Industrial Park just east of the city. Peru Mill currently has 1,200 acres of land available with accessible utilities, while Deming Industrial has 20-acre plots that are ready for development. Another benefit for business and pleasure travellers, Deming operates its own municipal airport that includes an 8,000-foot runway. During the Second World War, Deming Municipal Airport served as a military airbase where Bombardiers were trained. Situated between Fort Huachuca in Arizona and Fort Bliss in Texas, it is still frequented by the military. Jackson says the non-commercial airport is busy, adding, “There’s always something going on there. It could be a lot better though, there’s a lot of acreage and a ton of potential.” Jackson is working to secure funding to go ahead with a $25 million project to beef up the runways to allow for heavy cargo