Heinrich Launches Community College And Job Training Tour In Eastern New Mexico

ROSWELL, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will travel to Quay, Curry, and Roosevelt counties on Thursday, March 24, and Friday March 25, to host discussions with students about college affordability and job training opportunities at three Hispanic-Serving Institutions in eastern New Mexico: Mesalands Community College, Clovis Community College, and Eastern New Mexico University. Senator Heinrich will also travel to Portales to tour a peanut shelling facility and discuss creating jobs and helping New Mexico's small businesses grow and prosper.

On Thursday morning, Senator Heinrich will tour the North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, in Tucumcari. Senator Heinrich will be briefed on the program's curriculum and job training opportunities, including the use of the College's General Electric 1.5 megawatt wind production system. The college is training well-qualified technicians to help meet the needs of New Mexico's growing renewable energy industry.

On Thursday afternoon, Senator Heinrich will tour Clovis Community College (CCC), which is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution that aims to make a college degree a reality for Hispanic and low-income students. Senator Heinrich will meet with administrators and faculty members, and host a student roundtable to discuss the importance of higher education and the need to ensure that college is affordable and within reach for all New Mexicans. Senator Heinrich also will be briefed on the college's work to provide job-training opportunities for students and visit the school's health care, nursing, and occupational technology departments.

On Friday, Senator Heinrich will tour Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), which is also a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, where he will meet with administrators, researchers, and instructors and will visit the agriculture, science, engineering, technology, and mathematics departments. Senator Heinrich will also host a roundtable with students to discuss college affordability and reducing student loan debt. ENMU is New Mexico's largest regional comprehensive university. The ENMU system includes a four-year campus in Portales and two-year campuses in Roswell and Ruidoso.

Later on Friday afternoon, Senator Heinrich will visit the Hampton Farms Peanut Company, a family-owned business with a facility in Portales. Senator Heinrich will meet with staff, tour the facility, and discuss ways to expand businesses in Eastern New Mexico to grow the economy. The facility in Portales employs 125 fulltime and seasonal workers throughout the year and allows Hampton Farms to serve the Western United States.

***Press interested in attending should email press@heinrich.senate.gov or call (202) 228-1578***

Tucumcari - Thursday, March 24, 2016
WHAT:  Tour North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College
WHEN:  11a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
WHERE:  Mesalands Community College, 911 S. 10th Street, Tucumcari, N.M. 88401

Clovis - Thursday, March 24, 2016
WHAT:  Tour Clovis Community College and Host College Affordability Roundtable
WHEN:  From 3:30 to 5 p.m.
WHERE:  Clovis Community College, 417 Schepps Blvd., Clovis, N.M. 88101

Portales - Friday, March 25, 2016
WHAT:  Tour Eastern New Mexico University and Host College Affordability Roundtable
WHEN:  1 to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:  Eastern New Mexico University, 1500 S. Avenue K, Portales, N.M. 88130

Portales - Friday, March 25, 2016
WHAT:  Visit Hampton Farms Peanut Company
WHEN:  3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
WHERE:  Hampton Farms Peanut Compan, 6A NM-467, Portales, N.M. 88130