Portales and Roosevelt County
Business and Industry: Major Employers Overview

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.

Growth Segments and Current Gaps:

• Food Processing – Expansion
• Home and Apartment Construction
• Certified Organic Vegetable and Dairy Production
• Professional and Technical Support Services (various)
• Transportation Services (various)
• Alternative Energy Production and Services
• Military Contracting and Construction Services
• Food, Lodging, and Retail Services (all ages and college-oriented)
• Healthcare and Elder Care

Click here for a chart of major employers and how many people they employed in 2009.