1. Diversify the City’s economy by attracting, promoting, and supporting stable and sustainable industries.

a. Explore funding resources to market the City’s unique geographic location on I-25 and between Denver, Albuquerque, and Amarillo and promote the City as a regional distribution center.
b. Work with the Raton Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, and the State to provide technologically advanced telecommunications infrastructure.
c. Work with the Raton Chamber of Commerce on recruiting new retail businesses.
d. Determine and plan for community infrastructure needed by companies and businesses in appropriate locations.
e. Coordinate with the State Department of Economic Development on promoting job opportunities in Raton.f. Explore regional economic development opportunities with other communities, counties, and organizations.

2. Promote and support tourism in Raton.a. Maintain the historic district by creating an historic overlay district that includes design standards and controls, and coordinate with the Historic Downtown Merchants Association.

a. Develop a brochure that highlights the City’s cultural, historic, and recreational assets. c. Design and develop gateways to Raton that welcome visitors to the City. d. Develop an overall signage program that directs visitors to community attractions.
b. Develop a shuttle system to link hotels on the north and south sides of Raton.f. Coordinate with the State Department of Tourism on joint marketing opportunities.

3. Provide and support workforce and educational training programs in Raton. a. Support programs to increase educational attainment and develop occupational and technical skills needed by employers in order to build the quality of the Raton labor force.

a. Work with the Northeastern New Mexico Educational Center to establish a small business development program. c. Identify and apply for State, Federal, and other economic development funds and grants that pertain to workforce development.

b. Work with Raton Public Schools and local businesses on providing vocational and technology training to students. 4. Create opportunities for business development and retention in Raton.

c. Recruit and attract industries and businesses to complement industries that already exist in Raton (i.e. NRA Whittington Center, Miners Colfax Medical Center, arts community). b. Support the growth and development of small businesses and work with lending institutions to provide access to capital for small businesses that want to expand, for start up businesses, and for home-based businesses.

d. Evaluate the current tax structure and determine methods for restructure to make it more business friendly.

e. Promote a “Buy It In Raton” program to urge local residents to keep their dollars in the local community.

1. Provide sufficient land for commercial and industrial sites in appropriate locations.

a. Identify and rezone, if necessary, those areas that are appropriate for non-residential development.
b. Resolve the conflict between residential and industrial development by creating buffer areas and design standards, and encourage the relocation of residential development in those areas which have land use conflicts.
c. Pursue annexations in areas appropriate for industrial development in order to increase the tax base in Raton.
d. Seek the re-use of dilapidated and/or abandoned structures that could be used for commercial and industrial purposes.

2. Increase the amount of multi-family and single-family residential land use inventory.

a. Rezone the area adjacent to the Race Track to create a mix of residential development and densities.
b. Identify and rezone, if necessary, areas which are appropriate for residential development.
c. Encourage infill development by working with developers on creating an incentive program.

1. Provide a diversity of passive and active recreational activities and opportunities for all residents, regardless of age.

a. Develop a series of multi-use trails that connect existing or planned local and state parks, community facilities, and neighborhoods.

b. Plan and develop a skate park that will accommodate rollerblades, skateboards, BMX, etc.

c. Explore the feasibility of developing an ice skating rink.

d. Develop new community facilities and expand existing facilities such as the convention center, community centers, pool, library, and senior center

e. Complete the development of the Roundhouse Memorial Park.

2. Support recreation and education programs directed at children and youth.

a. Work with Raton Public Schools on making school athletic facilities available to all residents and creating after school activities.
b. Coordinate with youth organizations (RREC, SOY) to ensure that the City is meeting youth recreation needs.
c. Develop a summer recreation program that provides a variety of recreational opportunities.

1. Increase the City’s housing stock and support the development of affordable housing for residents.

a. Increase the number of multi-family housing units at appropriate locations.
b. Facilitate the formation of locally based community housing development organizations.
c. Identify and utilize incentives, loans, grants, and tax abatement programs that could be used for the development of new housing projects.
d. Work with developers on providing affordable housing through an incentive program that may include fee reductions, streamlined development approvals, etc.

2. Create a “senior-friendly” community.

a. Work with the State Agency on Aging on providing assisted living facilities and senior support services.
b. Explore the feasibility of developing a shuttle transportation service for seniors.
c. Provide assistance to seniors and low-income residents on maintaining and weatherizing their homes.

1. Develop an education program aimed at promoting community pride and appearance.

a. Encourage all new development to follow design standards that address landscaping, parking, provision of public open space/common areas, and recreational amenities.
b. Maintain and improve property values through enforcement of zoning and building codes, and restoration and rehabilitation of existing blighted structures and properti

c. Encourage property owners at the City’s gateways to enhance their properties through landscape improvements, visual screening, building and site maintenance.

2. Enhance the appearance of the City by promoting façade improvements and maintenance of existing commercial buildings.

a. Work with the State on Main Street and Façade Beautification programs to assess feasibility of establishing such programs in Raton.

1. Maintain a wide variety of arts programs and promote Raton as an art community.

a. Work with the local arts community on establishing a series of arts related festivals (music, film, multi-ethnic).
b. Promote cultural tourism by improving and supporting the Arts and Education Museum, Shuler Theater, Amphitheater, and the Wylie Foundation.
c. Coordinate with the State Department of Tourism on arts available in Raton.
d. Study the feasibility of developing a public arts program that would allow local artisans to display their work in public places.

1. Maintain the City’s excellent water quality and supply in order to sustain community development in the future.

a. Coordinate the Comprehensive Plan effort with the City’s Water Plan.
b. Project the City’s water supply needs for the next 50 years to ensure adequate supply.
c. Continue maintenance and operational improvements to the overall water system.
d. Develop a detailed database and mapping system utilizing Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Geographical Positioning System (GPS) for inventory, maintenance, and operations.
e. Prepare a System Hydraulic Model to analyze the existing water system. Utilize the Model to develop a Capital Improvement Program and for budget requirements.
f. Construct a new water filter plant at the Booster Station No. 3 site to treat water from the Cimarron River.

2. Provide sanitary sewer services in order to protect groundwater and environmental quality.

a. Determine and prioritize where sanitary sewer services should be extended to accommodate existing development and future growth.
b. Develop a detailed database and mapping system utilizing GIS and GPS for inventory, maintenance, and operations.
c. Determine the hydraulic capacity of the existing system and develop a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for future improvements and upgrades.
d. Analyze the existing sanitary sewer treatment plant and identify future improvements and/or plant replacement.

3. Provide solid waste disposal services that are economically sound and environmentally sensitive.

a. Coordinate the Comprehensive Plan effort with the City’s Landfill Study.
b. Provide a landfill facility that is cost effective for the City to operate, has adequate capacity for existing development and future growth, and is convenient for residents to use.

4. Provide stormwater services that will prevent flooding and protect property values.

a. Develop a Stormwater Drainage Master Plan that includes future stormsewer improvements, possible ponding areas, and diversion channels.

1. Provide a multi-modal transportation system that enhances the community and supports the safety of residents.

a. Improve City streets and expand the road network as needed to accommodate future growth.
b. Provide sidewalks to connect neighborhoods, trails, parks, and community facilities.
c. Identify and utilize funding sources for street improvements and maintenance to assist in meeting the existing and anticipated needs.
d. Work with Amtrak in order to maintain the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe line to Raton and explore the feasibility of acquiring the train depot for development of an intermodal center.
e. Develop and maintain a pavement maintenance management program.
f. Develop and maintain a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) of upgrades, maintenance, rehabilitation, and new construction for the City’s Roadway System.
g. Coordinate with New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Dept (NMST&HD) regarding signalization, signing, striping, speed limits, and traffic flows through the City.
h. Coordinate with NMST&HD to maintain rights of way on State and Federal roadways as they traverse the City to accommodate non-vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles.

2. Maintain the integrity of existing neighborhoods and residential areas through improvements to transportation systems.

a. Mitigate existing transportation impacts through signalization, signage, and appropriate traffic speeds.
b. Study the need for traffic calming devices such as cross walks, traffic signals, stop signs, and yield signs on residential streets and the historic district.

3. Coordinate transportation system improvements on a regional basis.

a. Coordinate with the NMSH&TD, the Northeast Regional Planning Organization (RPO), and other regional communities on upgrades and improvements to the existing roadway network including the widening of US 64 from Clayton to Raton.

4. Maintain the City’s airport and improve air service to Raton.

a. Establish regularly scheduled commercial and passenger air service.
b. Develop a General Aviation hangar on airport property.
c. Provide facilities for air ambulance services.

Sponsoring
Space
Available!