Portales and Roosevelt County
Business and Industry: Key Industries

Portales and Roosevelt County are in the fortunate position of having a very balanced and stable economy with a low unemployment rate. Employment in the market area is dominated by higher education and government, agricultural and dairy production, value added food processing, professional and support services. About 25% of the Portales economy is directly dependent on employment and attendance at Eastern New Mexico University, New Mexico’s third largest state university with increasing enrollment. Another 20% of the local economy is dependent on agriculture and value-added food processing. The remainder of the Portales and Roosevelt County economy is well-balanced between manufacturing, professional services, retail services, and energy and utility management. Over 5% of the economic growth in Roosevelt County is from investments flowing into the county.

The most rapidly growing industries are wind and solar production, retail services, professional services (including military and educational services), and healthcare.

Key Industries include:

• Government, dominated by Higher Education at ENMU
• Agriculture and Value Added Food Production (dairy, beef, grain)
• Utilities and Transportation Services
• Food, Accommodations and Retail Services
• Professional and Support Services
• Food and Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Service and Repair

Key Growth areas, 2009-2016:

• Wind, Solar, and Biomass Production
• Professional and Government Services
• Healthcare and Aging Services
• Residential Home Construction (Rental and Purchase)
• Food, Accomodations, and Retail Services