Staff Reports
Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation recognized outstanding business and community leaders May 13 during its Annual Business Retention & Expansion Luncheon held at the Sala of Rocket Café in observance of 2026 Economic Development Week activities.
The luncheon brought together 32 business leaders, industry representatives, and public officials to celebrate the partnerships and collaborative efforts that continue driving economic growth in Gallup/McKinley County.
Since 2013, GGEDC’s BRE Outreach Program has served as a cornerstone of the organization’s mission “to drive economic growth through building on local assets and strategic partnering to target attraction, retention and expansion of industrial employers that provide economic-base jobs in Gallup/McKinley County.” The annual luncheon recognizes BRE partners and community organizations that have made significant contributions to local economic development in the past year.
In presenting the annual BRE Outreach Program Partner Excellence in Business Award to David Martin, General Manager of McKinley Paper & Packaging Company, Tommy Haws, GGEDC Board President, highlighted the company’s resilience and continued growth following the closure of the Escalante Generating Station in 2020.
Martin delivered the luncheon keynote address, where he discussed major operational and management improvements underway at McKinley Paper aimed at increasing efficiency, strengthening worker morale, and advancing the company’s environmental sustainability goals.
He emphasized the company’s commitment to green technologies, including efforts to recycle 100% of the water used in plant operations. Martin noted that many paper mills nationwide consume more than 15 million gallons of water daily and stressed McKinley Paper’s determination to remain an industry leader in sustainable manufacturing practices. Martin also expressed enthusiasm for continuing to work closely with GGEDC on future upgrades and planned expansions that will support greater efficiencies, greener operations, and new industrial opportunities tied to development of the Gallup-McKinley TradePort.
Additional awards recognized key partners supporting economic development initiatives across the region. Wayne Gillis, CEO of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services, was honored for restoring the hospital’s fiscal health and strengthening its long-term operational stability.
Advanced Air CEO Levi Stockton and HR Director Barbara Hunt, who traveled from California to attend, were recognized for the company’s important support of TradePort development efforts, including improving Gallup’s accessibility for business recruitment and assisting efforts to establish a Foreign Trade Zone in Gallup/McKinley County.
McKinley County Commission President Robert Baca Jr. accepted an award on behalf of County Manager Anthony Dimas, Jr., recognizing Dimas’ leadership in advancing the Gallup-McKinley TradePort, securing and administering more than $5 million in TradePort-related grants, and helping establish the TradePort Authority Board.
Looking ahead, GGEDC leaders emphasized that the organization is increasingly integrating its BRE and Business Attraction & Recruitment efforts to support industrial growth and attract new investment to Gallup/McKinley County. Haws highlighted continued development of the Gallup-McKinley TradePort as a major priority, creating opportunities for advanced manufacturing, logistics, recycling, rail-served industry, and emerging advanced energy projects. GGEDC also plans to expand outreach to domestic and international companies while continuing to strengthen partnerships with existing BRE companies to support future business expansion and industrial synergies across the region. GGEDC Executive Director Patty Lundstrom emphasized Haws’ remarks by stating that “the time to make [political] decisions has arrived about where are we [Gallup] heading.”
