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El Paso Electric and Citizens Bank Contributions to Support Southern New Mexico
ACCION New Mexico’s work with entrepreneurs in Doña Ana County has gotten a critical boost through the financial support of Citizens Bank of Las Cruces and El Paso Electric.

The companies have announced $10,000 Founding Funder gifts to ACCION to further the nonprofit lender’s work among emerging and existing entrepreneurs in the southern New Mexico county. The funding will bolster ACCION’s efforts to deliver business credit and support to underserved small business owners. ACCION has already put more than $520,000 into the hands of hardworking Doña Ana County entrepreneurs during the first three quarters of this year. In 2004, the organization disbursed $209,000 in Doña Ana County loans.

“A vital part of ACCION’s success in building stronger economic opportunity for families and their communities has been the investment from outstanding community partners,” said Robert Wertheim, chairman of the ACCION board of directors. “Citizens Bank and El Paso Electric are leading the effort to create more opportunity for Doña Ana County families and communities.”

Since its inception in 1970, Citizens Bank of Las Cruces has been committed to community service and leadership. The bank has been investing resources and energy in critical community needs, including corporate and individual support of New Mexico State University, Las Cruces Public Schools, medical facilities, youth organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, community groups and many other service organizations.

“ACCION provides invaluable microloans to assist entrepreneurs, and we are proud to have had the opportunity to help ACCION provide this type of economic development for our community,” Citizens Bank President and CEO Justin Harper said.

El Paso Electric generates and distributes electricity to some 334,000 customers in the Rio Grande Valley in West Texas and southern New Mexico. The company gives back in a variety of ways, from charitable contributions to employee volunteerism and partnerships with local schools.

“El Paso Electric is proud to support ACCION New Mexico and its efforts to promote the free enterprise system,” said Bob McNiel, El Paso Electric’s vice president of New Mexico affairs. “ACCION New Mexico offers special opportunities to small start-up businesses that otherwise would not be available to them and, by so doing, has established itself as an important supporter of growth in southern New Mexico.”

For more information about Citizens Bank of Las Cruces, go to www.citizenslc.com. For more information about El Paso Electric, go to www.epelectric.com.

Contact:
Leslie Hoffman
ACCION New Mexico Communications Manager
(505) 243-8844 ext. 238 or (505) 270-0285 (cell)