Billions in COVID-19 relief money pours into New Mexico

May 12

It’s been more than two years since COVID-19 sent shock waves through New Mexico and the country, crippling the economy and sparking an unprecedented federal rescue.

“The pandemic brought a U.S. recession almost as deep as the Great Recession of the 1930s,” said David Abbey, director of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, which advises the state Legislature on fiscal and public policy matters. “The view was that the states and businesses and individuals did not have the wherewithal to keep going.”

In Southern New Mexico, the pandemic threatened residents’ health, stole family and co-workers and destabilized and ended people’s employment. In interviews and listening sessions with the Southern New Mexico Journalism Collaborative, a coalition of news organizations across the region, residents report continuing impacts, including long-term mental, financial and health issues.

To read the full story, check out this link from Collaborative partner Columbus NM News.

COVID-19 RecoveryCOVID-19 SpendingSouthern New MexicoSouthern NM Journalism CollaborativeFederal AidNew MexicoCOVID-19 relief money

Reyes Mata III

Reyes Mata III is longtime journalist working in the Borderland region of West Texas and Southern New Mexico. He’s currently a key contributing reporter to SNMJC’s solutions-based COVID-19 recovery project. He’s traveled to communities across the region documenting residents’ pandemic stories.

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