The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument designation has been good for
business in Taos County.

According to the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce, visitors and revenue increased after the monument designation:

• 40% increase in visitors in less than one year since the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument designation
• 21% increase in Town of Taos Lodgers’ Tax Revenue
• 8.3% increase in gross receipts revenue from the “Accommodations and Food Service” sector in Taos County

You can see the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce’s fact sheet here: http://nmgreenchamber.com/rgdn-factsheet.

Additionally, more than 150 local businesses support permanent protection for the Río Grande Del Norte area. The proposal also has the endorsement of the Taos Chamber of Commerce, the TaosGreen Chamber of Commerce, New Energy Economy, Partnership for Responsible Business, the Mora Valley Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio de Río Colorado Land Grant and the Taos County Commission.

Please see the following studies and a letter from a group of economists to President Obama for in-depth information about the beneficial effect of protecting public lands:

• Economic Impacts of a Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
• National Economists Support Protecting Public Lands
• Headwater Economics 2012 Study of Dona Ana County
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park Economic Case Study
• White Sands National Monument Economic Case Study
• NM Green Chamber of Commerce statement: National Monuments
  mean local jobs