A monthly update from the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce.

At its monthly meeting on January 24, 2018 Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to endorse the proposed bond by the Santa Fe Community College and the SB9 Mill levy proposed by Santa Fe Public Schools. The issues will be on the ballot on February 6, 2018. “The Board recognizes that the Bond and Mill Levy will support much-needed workforce development in Santa Fe” said President and CEO Simon Brackley. “They will not increase taxes and we encourage our members and the community to vote Yes on February 6.”

While the State of New Mexico provides funding to pay for teachers and staff, school buildings are Santa Fe’s responsibility, both to build and to maintain. The SFPS SB9 Mill Levy is the portion of local property tax that funds the maintenance and upkeep of school buildings and district technology infrastructure. SB9 funds contracts that allow LOCAL businesses to maintain playgrounds, playing fields and school landscaping throughout the District. Without these funds, schools would have to take money from their classroom budgets to pay for this maintenance.

The Santa Fe Community College Bond, which is $17 million, will provide funding for technology and facility upgrades to enhance learning and career opportunities for students. The Board paid particular attention to the 17,000 sq. ft. Automotive Center on the main SFCC campus which will have classrooms and a customized training center to prepare students for highdemand careers in the automotive industry. This will double the number of students educated annually. Local automotive dealers have consistently advocated increased local training facilities for future employees.

The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce works to grow the local economy and serves as the voice of business in Santa Fe.