Questa Economic Development Fund

“The Questa Economic Development Fund (QEDF) supports the transition of Questa and the surrounding community to a diversified, sustainable post-mining economy.” For over a hundred years the Questa Molybdenum Mine was the primary employer/economic driver in the Questa area until it closed permanently in 2014, putting over 300 individuals out of work. The Mining Company partnered with the community to compile a long-term Economic Development Strategic Plan to address tactics to recover from this traumatic closure. It was at this time that the QEDF was created to guide this work and function as a liaison with the community to initiate and accomplish these goals. Plans that have been successfully implemented include the development of a business park, recruitment of new businesses, business expansion and job creation; youth and workforce skills training such as the founding of the Questa High School Welding Lab Pilot Program and entrepreneurship classes; area marketing and tourism advertising with NM True, “Shop Questa” campaigns, operating the Questa Visitors Center; the Questa Lodging Project for workforce housing; creation of the Questa Farmers Market, Art Market, and the Questa Creative Council growing arts and culture; developing the natural resources for outdoor recreational use, including the restoration of the Red River for prime fishing access, designing and construction of the ADA-accessible award winning LEEDS Eagle Rock Lake Park. Currently in the works is the development of a Business Center with resources for entrepreneurs including regular training and workshops; coordinating an agriculture cooperative to promote the regeneration of land and water for sustainable agriculture; establishing an Area Acequia Association to protect local traditions and water rights; completion of the Questa Green Hydrogen Production Plant Feasibility Study. In 2021 the Questa Outdoor Recreation Economic Opportunity Report was completed by Public Land Solutions out of Utah. The document identified the top five “recreational assets with potential for development to increase traffic and revenue to the village center, attract recreation-related new business enterprises, provide easy and equitable outdoor access for residents and visitors alike, while continuing to improve the overall quality of life.” The top recommendation was the development of the Largo Canyon trails Network in Questa; we are requesting funding to implement the conceptual plan proposal for this project.