A Message from our Executive Director
Community Bio
Dear Friends and Guest, On behalf of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce, it is my distinct pleasure to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the vibrant city of Alamogordo, New Mexico. We are thrilled that you have chosen to explore and experience the many wonders this unique community has to offer. Nestled at the base of the awe-inspiring Sacramento Mountains, Alamogordo is more than just a city; it's a gateway to adventure, culture and history. Our city is renowned for its proximity to the world-renowned White Sands National Park, a surreal and breathtaking landscape of pure gypsum dunes stretching as far as the eye can see. Truly the whitest sand on the face of the planet. As you traverse these pristine sands, you'll be captivated by the unspoiled beauty and the tranquility that surrounds you. Our city is a place where innovation and tradition coexist. Alamogordo is home to a thriving business community, where the Mighty F16 Vipers, MQ -9 Reapers and the 704th Test Group work vigilantly to assure the safety of our Country and our Allies. We are proud to call Holloman Air Force Base our FAMILY. When it comes to recreational activities, you're spoiled for choice. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast seeking hiking, skiing, biking, or golfing opportunities, or someone who enjoys cultural events and local festivals, Alamogordo has something for everyone As the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, I am proud to be part of a network of businesses and individuals who strive to make Alamogordo a better place to live, work, and play. We look forward to sharing this remarkable city with you, and we're excited to help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Demographics
People
Population: 67,490
Median Age: 36
Family Households: 23,634
Housing
Median Home Value: $112,400
House Units: 31,947
Owner - Occupied: 64.2%
Income
Median Household: $41,988
Per Capita: $23,170
Business
Total Civilian Employment: 11,947
Number of Businesses: 953
Mean Commute Time 19.5 minutes
County Seat
Population: 31,980
Median Age: 36
Family Households: 12,813
Median Home Value: $113,500
Median Household: $42,204
Military Installation
Population: 3,292
Holloman Air Force Base
Median Home Value: $26,563
Median Household: $43,572
Family Households: 797
Community Amenities
Education
Public Safety
Higher Education
Home & Living
Health Care
Industry
Business & Development
Our community strives to recruit new businesses, and develop industrial opportunities, and promote tourism. The City of Alamogordo works collaboratively with various organizations including:
New Mexico Economic Development Department
Otero County Economic Development Council
Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce
Alamogordo MainStreet
The New Mexico True Campaign
The Otero County Economic Development Council, Inc. (OCEDC) serves the citizens of Otero County by recruiting, promoting, and facilitating the creation of new industries and assisting in the retention and expansion of existing businesses within the county. OCEDC strives to improve the quality of life for its citizens by facilitating job retention and encouraging economic diversity and stability for Otero County. The OCEDC created the Alamogordo Economic Development Plan, which focused on five targeted industries, including:
Department of Defense/ Aerospace
Film Production
Desalination and Water Treatment Technologies
Back Office
Agriculture
The county’s transportation infrastructure provides ready access to markets and suppliers throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico gateways. Alamogordo is located at the intersections of two four-lane highways, U.S. 70 and U.S. 54. These two highways provide excellent connections to two major north-south and east-west interstate highways, I-10 and I-25.
Rail Service (including trailer or flat car) is available through Southern/Union Pacific Railways. Major airline service is easily accessible through El Paso International Airport, only 90 minutes away. Alamogordo can meet the telecommunication needs of nearly any business via CenturyLink, TDS Telecom, Tularosa Basin Communications fiber optic cable, which runs throughout the town.
Business Infrastructure
As a whole, these groups are focused on economic growth and sustainability for our community, including:
Creating and nurturing a well-trained, educated workforce
Ensuring residents can fill our jobs
Creating the economic growth needed for young people to remain and thrive in Otero County
Promoting Alamogordo as a tourist destination and a high-quality community in which to live and work
Redevelopment and revitalization of key areas
If you’re thinking about relocating or expanding your business into our community, please contact the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce today to learn more by calling 575.437.6120 or emailing hello@alamogordo.com.
State and Local Business Incentives
The state of New Mexico has an extensive incentives program. In addition to workforce development programs, bond programs, and private equity investments, the state offers additional benefits to businesses located in rural portions of New Mexico – such as Alamogordo. Many industry-specific incentives are offered as well, the details of which can be found at www.goNM.biz.
In addition to the State of New Mexico incentives, Alamogordo had adopted a local economic development plan, which allows the city to provide land, building, and infrastructure resources as incentives. Otero County Economic Development Council (OCEDC) makes recommendations to the city and county on these programs. The city and county commissions demonstrate a willingness to support job growth and industrial recruitment through the issuance of industrial revenue bonds, tax abatements, and cash incentives.
Our Military Community
Our city is closely linked to Holloman AFB. Holloman is just six miles southwest on the U.S. Highway 70 and is a unique national asset. With more than 52,000 acres, Holloman is an exciting, evolving center of research, development, cutting-edge technology, and combat power. Its history dates back to 1942 as a WWII bomber training base.
Since 1947, Holloman has been a center of research and development. Its contributions to America’s first two astronauts, chimpanzees Ham and Enos. Among its unique facilities are the world’s premier, record-setting, high-speed test track; a powerful centrifuge, the Air Force’s storage facility of material for equipping bases in remote locations, and a national radar cross-section lab.
The economic and cultural impact of Holloman AFB on Alamogordo and the surrounding area is massive. Holloman AFB is the largest employer in the area. Around 11,000 people make up the daytime population at the base. Its economic impact statement estimates that the base contributes $411,743,040 to the economy through payroll, job creation, and contract expenditures.
Holloman recently added two F-16v units, representing an increase of 200-400 employees, and had a mission change converting aircraft maintenance to contract employees, resulting in 600 additional employees. Increasing the number of civilian employees and their dependents represents an increase in sending and tax dollars for the city.
White Sands Missile Range, located 47 miles from Alamogordo, is the premier test range in the world. The Army Installation range is committed to testing for government agencies, The Department of Defense, and both private entities and foreign countries.
The range covers two million acres (3,200 square miles). The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Patriot, Army Tactical Missle System, and the Theater High Altitude Area Defense System are tested at the range regularly. Also locates on the range in the Trinity Site, where the world’s first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945. The McDonald ranch house, where the plutonium core was assembled, remains at the site. The Trinity site is open for public viewing on the first Saturday in April and the first Saturday in October.