ADVISORY: Heinrich to Deliver Speech at Albuquerque Economic Forum, Welcome USDA Under Secretary to Local Commercial Kitchen, and Visit Tomé Land Grant
ALBUQUERQUE – On Wednesday, August 23, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will deliver a keynote speech at the Economic Forum of Albuquerque to discuss his work to grow New Mexico’s economy through recent unprecedented state and federal investments in infrastructure, education, and the environment, host USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jennifer Moffit for a roundtable discussion on a new federal program’s impact on the state’s food and agricultural supply chain, and discuss the significance of the Tomé Land Grant.
Speech at Albuquerque Economic Forum
At 8:00 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will join Albuquerque Economic Forum to deliver a speech highlighting asset-based economic development efforts to grow New Mexico’s economy and grow its middle class.
Following the speech, Heinrich will host a brief media availability.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 23, at 8:00 a.m. MT
WHERE: Event Center at Sandia Golf Club, 30 Rainbow Rd NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87113
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Tour & Roundtable Discussion with USDA Under Secretary Jennifer Moffitt
At 2:30 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, will join USDA Under Secretary Jennifer Moffitt to highlight the impact of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), a program that Heinrich helped to secure with the passage of the American Rescue Plan.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 23, at 2:30 p.m. MT
WHERE: South Valley Economic Development Center, 318 Isleta Blvd SW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87105
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: In March 2021, Senator Heinrich voted to pass the historic American Rescue Plan, legislation that continues to deliver for New Mexico families, workers and small businesses, and local, state, and Tribal governments.
The legislation included funding to authorize the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency in New Mexico. Through this program, USDA will award up to $400 million nationally through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional, and socially underserved producers through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination.
The visit follows unanimous approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee of more than $10 million for local projects across New Mexico in the Fiscal Year 24 (FY24) Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations to protect and maintain the state’s food supply chain and promote the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.
Tomé Land Grant Visit
At 4:30 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will visit with leaders of Tomé and discuss the significance of the Land Grant and its current conservation efforts.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 23, at 4:30 p.m. MT
WHERE: Tomé Land Grant, 18 Church Loop, Los Lunas, N.M. 87031
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background: During his tenure in Congress, Senator Heinrich has remained a strong advocate for New Mexico’s Land Grant communities, including the Tomé Land Grant.
In 2021, Heinrich introduced the Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act to recognize community land grants as an important part of the culture and history of the State of New Mexico.
Since then, he has worked to invest in the Tomé community to create high-quality jobs, grow the local economy, and support conservation efforts.
This month, Heinrich welcomed President Biden to the new Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing facility in Valencia County, which is set to create 250 advanced manufacturing and trades careers that will help grow the economy in the region.
