Programs & Committees
The Committee of Fifty is a military affairs committee from the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce whose job is to act as liaison between Cannon Air Force Base and the community of Clovis.
It is our job to promote Cannon and support its mission in any way that we can. We lobby on Federal, state and local government levels on behalf of Cannon to help further its mission.
The committee also works to support Cannon’s troops in any way that we can, which often includes events held for Cannon families each year, such as Cannon Appreciation Day.
The Committee of Fifty’s new initiative is to be more transparent as a committee and let the community know who our members are in order to educate them on what we do. We view this website as a tool to help in educating the public.
A little background:
In the early 1940s, Clovis was home to Clovis Army Air Field, a training facility for B-24 bomber crews. In 1951, it became Clovis Air Force Base until June 1957 when its name was changed to Cannon Air force Base after John F. Cannon, a World War II tactical air commander.
Back in 1941, before the U.S. became involved in World War II, five Clovis businessmen were communicating the wishes of the community to government officials in Washington D.C.
Roy Walker, Charles Fischer and Max Meadors were the original three Committee of Fifty members, who began appealing to Washington on behalf of the Army Air Field. The team of Washington lobbyists disbanded from 1947 to 1951 when the Clovis military training facility was place on standby status.
When the facility reopened in 1951 as a temporary Air Force base, the small committee of five members reactivated itself with a primary goal of appealing to Washington D.C. to ensure the preservation of the base by asking the Federal government for funding to improve the base.
The concept of the Committee of Fifty was born in late 1959 when four Clovis businessmen, Walker, Fischer, Meadors and J. Harvey Wilson, met for morning coffee in a downtown drug store. One of the men pointed out that there was a need for the community to have a structured committee to deal strictly with affairs relating to Cannon Air Force Base. By the end of that same day, fifty local businesses had agreed to undertake the costs of such a committee.
Thus the name Committee of Fifty was born: Fifty Clovis business leaders dedicated to furthering the interests of Cannon.
Each committee member would contribute annual dues in addition to being part of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, which would give the committee funds to operate each year.
Transition to special operations:
In 2005, The Committee of Fifty rallied the community together to begin the Operation Keep Cannon initiative to help save Cannon Air Force Base from closing after it had been placed on the government’s closure list in May 2005.
Committee of Fifty members immediately began appealing to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission with reasons why eastern New Mexico was a valuable place to train and why the base should remain open.
Operation Keep Cannon was successful with the base being transformed into a special operations base rather than being closed.
Most recently, the Committee of Fifty spearheaded efforts to give Cannon an additional 600 acres of land for its mission.
The Clovis News Journal wrote in a May 2005 article that “Historically, about 85 percent of bases slated for closure by the Pentagon are eventually closed. However, that hasn’t slowed down the efforts of community leaders, who believe the base has superior military value and is important to national security.
And that hasn’t changed!
Clovis community leaders still believe in our local base and the value of its mission!
To read more about things the Committee of Fifty has done for the base, search the Clovis News Journal archives
Our Vision
Growth, achievement and partnership with Cannon Air Force Base.
Our Mission
Foster strong, ongoing relationships between the military and civilian communities of the region while promoting the expansion and retention of Cannon Air Force Base. To achieve these goals, we will:
- Cultivate relationships with Cannon’s leaders, airmen and families.
- Acknowledge and promote the historic contributions and values that continue to create a strong Cannon AFB Base mission.
- Develop relationships with local, regional and national military leaders to support the Cannon Air Force Base mission.
Who are the members of the Committee of 50?
Our members are local business people and community leaders who have a deep appreciation and respect for all personnel who serve at Cannon Air Force Base. The membership list can be found on this site and includes a list of our members and their backgrounds.
What is the focus of the Committee of 50
Our focus is to support and help grow the mission at Cannon. Much like a booster club supports a football program, we are here to support the men and women who do America’s business at Cannon. We travel to Washington DC to be sure our Congressional representatives know the important roles Cannon fulfils both in the defense of our country and the positive presence in our region. We actively work to promote the importance of Cannon to our New Mexico state government. In addition to those roles, we support many events for those stationed at Cannon. These events include Cannon Appreciation Day, The Single Airmen’s Christmas Party, free tickets to local events and a Cannon Recognition football game at Texas Tech. Cannon personnel receive 500 free tickets to the football game that weekend.
Does the Committee of 50 control what businesses do or do not come to Clovis?
We do not. Our members are local business people who would benefit from growth in our community. Because of that, most of our members actively strive to attract new businesses and industries to Clovis by serving on other boards and groups.
Do committee members receive any compensation for being a part of the Committee of 50?
We do not receive any compensation for being a committee member. As a matter of fact, most of our members contribute generously with their time and money to support efforts important to Cannon personnel and the mission.
Does the Committee of 50 control the public school system in Clovis?
We have no control over any aspect of the public school system. Clovis Public Schools are administered by the superintendent of schools who in turn reports directly to an elected school board.
Are rental prices controlled by committee members?
We do not have any control over the rental prices in Clovis. Rental prices in Clovis are driven by supply and demand, just like in all other communities. With the sudden growth in demand for housing that came with the Special Operations Mission, rental prices in Clovis did spike. Demand has stabilized and rental prices are beginning to stabilize as well.
Does the Committee control city infrastructure (roads, buildings, etc)?
The day to day workings of the City are managed by the Clovis City Manager who reports directly to an elected Clovis City Commission. Our committee members would have to take our concern about roads, buildings, etc. to the City Commission, just as any other Clovis citizen would.
Is membership open to anyone that wants to be involved?
Membership into the Committee of 50 is by invitation from the Executive Committee. Traditionally candidates for membership are leaders of the Clovis business community who have demonstrated a willingness to give of time and resources to help support Cannon and the mission.
Why can’t Clovis get any major businesses like Target or Whataburger?
All across America, towns that are remote and the size of Clovis have the same struggle. The national chain stores do not want to locate in areas without the proven demographics (i.e. population) to support their business models. Our community has been fortunate to land several national chains and we are hopeful our population will grow enough for more national chains to consider Clovis. Ultimately the decision to locate in Clovis lies with the respective company.
What can I do to get involved and help the community?
Several organizations are here in Clovis that exist to help others and welcome volunteers. The Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce can help you find an organization or church to get involved with that supports the community.
Ambassadors
Truly the faces of Clovis and Curry County the Chamber Ambassadors welcome newcomers to the area, serve as greeters at many community events, attend ribbon cuttings for businesses opening in the area, help with Chamber events and provide overall support for the Clovis Chamber. The Ambassadors meet once a month to discuss these upcoming events and ways to be involved, while also coming together to brainstorm the best ways to promote the Chamber to the outside community. The group is open to Chamber members.
Leadership Clovis
The Chamber’s flagship leadership program is an active learning experience dedicated to building leaders who will assume leadership roles in their companies and the community. The program was developed to enhance the leadership skills of volunteer community leaders and to enrich their understanding of the community. Leadership Clovis envisions a city where citizens take an active role in determining the course of their community’s growth. The class runs from September to May each year, and is held on one Wednesday a month.
It’s Rewarding to Shop Local!
We are determined to let everyone know how important it is to SHOP LOCAL! When you shop at independent or local-to-you businesses, more money is kept within the community because local businesses often use or buy from local service providers, farms, and companies. Buying locally helps grow other businesses as well as our tax base
Businesses:
Please share and display these graphics to thank your customers and inform others about the benefits of shopping local!
Consumers:
Customer loyalty programs are a popular incentive that many businesses use to reward shoppers. Check out our Clovis Rewards Programs guide for a list of local customer rewards shoppers should be using. Check back often, as we’ll update this page when we come across new programs that are worthy of your time.
Vision Statement
Retail Development Committee is the Chamber’s advocate for current & future retail business development, encouraging & supporting sustainable retail growth in our Microplex
Mission Statement
Retail Development Committee will develop an avenue of awareness, growth and value for our Retail Chamber Members
Ag 50
Ag 50 of Eastern New Mexico was formed in 2004 to help ensure the long- term success and viability of agriculture through political activism, public involvement and the active promotion of agriculture as the major industry in our area. Long-term strategies of the committee include cultivating political relationships to positively affect agricultural policy and enhancing public involvement in agriculture through education and communication.
The farming, ranching and dairy farms that cover most of Curry County show a deep, rich history of agriculture and the importance it has played in the settling of Clovis in the Southwest.
Agriculture
Curry County was first settled by pioneers whose primary interest in the area was land for farming and raising a family. The same is true today. Many farm and ranch families call Clovis home and agriculture still counts as a major source of economic growth and stability for our area. Because Clovis residents enjoy temperate weather, fertile soil and an average of 17.5 inches of rainfall each year, it is easy to understand why agriculture plays such an important role to the economy of Clovis and Curry County.
Beef cattle also play an important role in the agricultural impact of the county with beef cattle and calves providing more than $155 million to the county’s economy. While dairy and beef cattle are the most common livestock in Curry County sheep, horses and Alpaca add diversity to the livestock of the area. Every year, the Curry County Fair offers great learning opportunities for both children and adults.
Farming also is a local staple for the community. The principal county crops are wheat, grain sorghum, grain corn, sorghum/corn ensilage and alfalfa. These crops are primarily harvested for local livestock and dairy consumption, but some are exported out to regional and national outlets. In addition potatoes, green beans, spinach, cotton, watermelons, apples, pumpkins and black-eyed peas are also produced during their seasons.
One strategy to share this bounty with local consumers is the Farmers Market which takes place every Tuesday and Saturday from July to October. For more than 15 years, vendors have come to Clovis from a 60-mile radius to sell their homegrown produce. As a program of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the Farmers Market honors Senior Citizen Commodities and EBT cards, so Curry County’s home grown food is accessible and beneficial to all.
Dairy Industry
The dairy industry in New Mexico is the No. 1 agricultural activity in the state and has the greatest economic impact. Curry County ranks second in New Mexico for milk production. The Curry and Roosevelt County areas have approximately 60 dairies (27 in Curry County and 33 in Roosevelt County) and the industry continues to grow. These dairies produce approximately 2.8 billion pounds or 238 million gallons of milk per year. The dairy industry is the largest economic producer of agriculture products in the state with an annual impact of approximately $2.6 billion dollars and $606 million in the Curry and Roosevelt County areas specifically.
Dairies in Curry County receive about $27 million each month and Roosevelt County dairies receive about $24 million monthly. Roughly 80 percent of this income remains in these areas, covering the costs of farm employees, vet services, medicine, cleaning services, equipment, repairs, fuel, etc. In addition, there are numerous suppliers critical to maintaining the dairy operations that rely on the area farms for business.
The local area dairies and farmers pride themselves on maintaining modern, high-tech dairy equipment while upholding the fine tradition of American dairy farming with a healthy, safe and abundant milk supply. They strive to remain diligent stewards of the land and work to ensure animal welfare remains a top priority.
Dairy producers in the area also seek to share their expertise with the next generation. In 2013 Clovis once again hosted the New Mexico State University, Texas A&M and University of Arizona annual, six-week summer program called the Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium. The program is comprised of two six-week summer sessions and an internship. Students can earn up to nine credit hours at their home universities by participating.
With their recent expansion, Southwest Cheese is one of the world’s largest cheese processing plants. They currently manufacture about 60,000 pounds or 1.5 tractor-trailer loads of cheese every hour and ship it all over the world. They process about 4 billion pounds or 344 million gallons of raw milk every year. Southwest Cheese produces Cheddar, Colby, Colby-Jack and Pepper Jack cheese. All cheese varieties leave the Southwest Cheese plant in 40-pound and 640-pound blocks. During the processing of cheese, about 700,000 gallons of water per day are extracted and polished for use in the plant. The excess water is then sent to the plant’s treatment facility where it is processed for use for land application which recharges the aquifer.
This area also is home to another dairy first. DFA-Portales is a powdered milk processor and is the only approved USDA Grade A Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) processor in the United States. MPC is most familiarly recognized in health food bars sold in grocery stores.
Business Enterprise Center
Thinking about starting a new business? The Clovis Business Enterprise Center can help!
The Clovis Business Enterprise Center is a division of the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation and the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. The Business Enterprise Center is a one-stop business development center location at 105 East Grand Avenue.
One of the programs offered at the Enterprise Center is business incubation. The incubator program can provide office space and support services for start-up business ventures. The Clovis Business Enterprise Center is a proud member of the “New Mexico Certified Business Incubator Program”.
The Business Enterprise Center incubation programs are structured to guide entrepreneurs through those early years that are so vital to the success of new business ventures. In most cases, clients will have attained a level of business success enabling them to move to their own facility within three years thus freeing space in the incubator for new entrepreneurs just starting out.
If you are interested in learning more about the Clovis Business Enterprise Center, please call (575) 763-6600.
BNSF Committee
The BNSF Committee serves as liaison between the community of Clovis and the BNSF Railroad Company – the largest freight railroad network in North America. The committee meets quarterly to ensure that the community and company remain on track with operation updates, track expansions and more. The Chamber and CIDC’s goal to support key industries and employers in our area goes hand-in-hand with BNSF’s mission to support the communities where they operate.
BNSF Railway continues to be one of the three major economic pillars of the community and employs approximately 400 employees in the Clovis area. In addition to train crew positions, BNSF provides career opportunities in mechanical and electrical fields, engineering, dispatch, field operations management, IT/technology services and more.
In 2016, BNSF Railway presented the prestigious Heritage Community Award to the City of Clovis, celebrating the community’s strong relationship with the railroad for over a century.
About the Program
For many young military members, moving to a new place can be a challenging, lonely experience. In attempt to alleviate some of the anxiety of being alone or far from home – often for the first time – the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 50 are seeking community participation in their new program “Your New Mexico Home.” In effort to provide a home away from home for airmen in their first years at Cannon Air Force Base, “Your New Mexico Home” will pair single airmen living on base with civilian host families from Clovis and Portales, creating an avenue to form friendships and gather support beyond the formal work environment.
To qualify, service members must:
Be first-term Airmen
Be single and living in dorms
Comply with all military service standards
Have approval from commander
Activities and events participants have enjoyed include:
Home-cooked meals
Holiday functions
Family events
Church services
Sports events
Picnics and MORE!
Sign up today to find YOUR NEW MEXICO HOME!
Questions? Contact James Burns (Committee of 50 community liaison) at 575-760-5023 or [email protected].
Your New Mexico Home is a program created and managed by the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 50. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no Governmental status.