The City Needs Different Economic Development

In Santa Fe, reports the New Mexican, a “City Hall reorganization will create a stand-alone Economic Development Division, removing it from the Housing and Community Development Department.” In addition, the “city is launching a search for a full-fledged economic development director, a job that will pay between $70,387 and $120,640 annually.”

Santa Fe certainly needs an economic-development boost. As the chart above indicates, it has fewer private-sector jobs now that it did eight years ago.

But with Mayor Javier Gonzales touting Santa Fe’s “living wage” and “absolutely booming” film industry, is there any hope of reality-based policies? Let’s hope so. One suggestion, Mr. Mayor: Do something about your city’s whopping 8.3125 percent gross receipts tax.