Agriculture remains at the center of that vision.“It’s our bread and butter,”Dennis emphasizes.“The potato industry alone adds $350 million to our economy. Protecting our water resources and ensuring our farmers can thrive is critical to our future.” The Rio Grande River, whose headwaters lie just 80 miles north, sustains both the city and its vast agricultural basin. The city’s environmental initiatives, such as tree planting, are also designed with sustainability in mind. “We received a milliondollar grant from the U.S. Forest Service to plant 500 trees over the next few years,” Dennis says. “These will replace aging trees and preserve our beautiful tree-lined streets for generations. It supports our identity, combats climate change, and even helps maintain the water supply.” A COMMUNITY MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER Collaboration defines Monte Vista’s progress. From nonprofits like Tomorrow’s Bread and the LOR Foundation to private investors and civic leaders, the city is aligning efforts to create a vibrant, sustainable future. Atencio puts it best: “When people from different sectors come together with the same goal— to make Monte Vista stronger—anything is possible.” With deep agricultural roots, a revitalized downtown, ambitious infrastructure projects, and a shared commitment to sustainability, Monte Vista is proving that small cities can lead in innovation while staying true to their heritage.As Dennis reflects,“We’re proud of who we are, and even prouder of where we’re headed.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n City of Monte Vista www.montevista.gov 142 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx