GUEST COLUMN: It's been a good year in Rio Rancho

Dear Editor,

As the holiday season is upon us, I would like to extend my warmest wishes to every Rio Rancho citizen for a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season. This time of year brings an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and the progress we have made as a community.

The past year has been an exciting one for Rio Rancho, filled with accomplishments and milestones that enhance the quality of life in our city. We celebrated the grand opening of THE BLOCK, a vibrant addition to our community, which has quickly become a hub of activity and connection. Several road projects were also completed, improving our infrastructure and accessibility, road such as Spring Boulevard, Quantum Road, Laser Road and Vortex Road along with significant improvements to Enchanted Hills Boulevard and Northern Boulevard. To see the full list of roads reconstructed, repaired or repaved please visit rrnm.gov/170/Current-Road-Work.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our first responders. Their unwavering dedication and service ensure the safety and well-being of our community every day. From responding to emergencies to supporting public safety initiatives, their commitment is truly commendable, and we owe them our deepest thanks.

This year, our city also hosted several successful events that brought thousands of residents together, fostering a sense of community and celebration. Highlights included the Fall Festival, Winterfest, the Fourth of July parade and event, councilor meet-n-greets and countless others. These gatherings not only showcased our city’s vibrant spirit but also strengthened the bonds among neighbors and friends.

Many great new businesses have entered the Rio Rancho market, contributing to our city’s economic growth and offering expanded options for residents. Notable additions include Sprouts Farmers Market, True Value’s second location, numerous small businesses and a variety of new dining options. These businesses reflect the confidence investors and entrepreneurs have in our city’s bright future. For more information about this year’s progress throughout the community, my latest state of the city address can be viewed at rrnm.gov/1173/State-of-the-City-Report.

Volunteerism was on full display in Rio Rancho as hundreds of people turned out for the annual community cleanup (Rally in the Desert), yielding tons of garbage and illegal dumpsites being collected and sent to the landfill where the garbage belongs. This collective effort demonstrated the pride and care our residents have for our beautiful city.

Additionally, our city earned national recognition multiple times as one of the best places to live in the state, the Southwest and the country. This honor reflects the dedication and collaboration of our city council, residents, businesses and city staff who work tirelessly to make Rio Rancho a great place to call home. The commitment from our city employees, working day to day, in an effort to keeping Rio Rancho an amazing community should never go unrecognized. I would like to personally thank each and every city staff member from each department for their unwavering commitment to our beautiful community.

As we look forward to the new year, let us continue to build on this momentum and strive for even greater achievements together. May your holidays be filled with peace, happiness and cherished moments with loved ones.

Warm regards,

Greggory D Hull

Mayor of Rio Rancho