HM 23
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A MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 20, 2025 "EXCELLENCE IN RIO RANCHO DAY" IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, the city of Rio Rancho began as a retirement
community called Rio Rancho estates in the early 1960s; and
WHEREAS, the city of Rio Rancho became an incorporated
municipality in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho is the third-largest city in New
Mexico, now with a population of more than one hundred ten
thousand residents; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho is the fastest-growing city in New
Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho has experienced significant economic
growth, with median household incomes increasing from fifty-
four thousand dollars ($54,000) in 2020 to more than eighty-
five thousand dollars ($85,000) in 2024; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho is nationally recognized as one of
the safest cities in New Mexico and among the safest in the
southwest, based on crime rates and community surveys; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho boasts a top-rated public school
district, the Rio Rancho public school district, which is
celebrating thirty years of quality education for the
community in 2025; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho has been recognized in several HM 23
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prominent publications for its livability and family-friendly
environment, including:
A. Livability.com: Rio Rancho was featured in the
"Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.", highlighting its
affordable housing, excellent schools and abundant outdoor
activities;
B. Fortune magazine: Rio Rancho ranked thirty-
fifth in Fortune's "Best Places to Live for Families",
emphasizing its developing economy, tourism sector and
numerous parks and trails;
C. Money magazine: Rio Rancho has been recognized
multiple times as one of Money's "Best Places to Live in
America"; and
D. 24/7 Wall Street: Rio Rancho was featured on
its list of "America's 50 Best Cities to Live", citing
exceptional public schools and crime rates well below the
national average; and
WHEREAS, Rio Rancho has a growing business community
that includes innovators in many industries, such as Intel,
Lectrosonics, Insight lighting, AeroParts manufacturing,
AerSale component solutions, Green Theme technologies, NTx
Nature's toolbox, Stainless motors, Presbyterian Rust medical
center and other prominent businesses, and is home to the
university of New Mexico health sciences' advanced center of
excellence for orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation; and HM 23
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WHEREAS, Rio Rancho continues to lead in education with
an excellent public school district and expansive higher
education opportunities at the university of New Mexico
health sciences center, central New Mexico community college
and New Mexico highlands university; and
WHEREAS, through all of its innovation and growth, Rio
Rancho can truly be called "the city of vision";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 20,
2025 be declared "Excellence in Rio Rancho Day" in the house
of representatives; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the mayor of Rio Rancho, members of the Rio
Rancho city council, the Rio Rancho city manager and the
president and chief executive officer of the Rio Rancho
regional chamber of commerce.