Meslands Community College officials want the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corporation board to  participate in an assessment of Tucumcari.

The Heartland Center for Leadership Development, based out of Lincoln, Neb., is conducting an online survey aimed at Tucumcari’s economic development.

The EDC's participation in this survey is strictly namesake sponsorship, said Carl Kallansrud, director of small business development center at Mesalands.

The EDC board agreed to lend their name and participate in the survey.

"Mesalands is covering the cost of the survey and related meetings," Kallansrud said. "Mesalands is just wanting EDC to share in the sponsorship of the event.

Morris said that the cost of the survey is $13,000, which will be paid through a $600,000 federal Housing and Urban Development grant.

The survey, called the ‘Community Capacity Questionnaire,’ is to determine where Tucumcari is thus far on economic development, said Kurt Mantonya, senior associate Heartland Center.

"This will give the leaders of Tucumcari a perspective on growth and development from a fresh set of eyes,"  Kallansrud, said.

Mantonya said the Heartland Center will outline existing economic development projects and some new  ideas.

Recommendations made by the Heartland Center will be based on answers generated by public participation in the survey.

"One of the goals of the Heartland Center is to provide small communities with the tools to survive and grow economically," Mantonya said.

Data will be presented June 2 at the Great Room at Mesalands, Kallansrud said.

The HCLD will also have a presentation of the "Six myths about the future of small towns."

"This organization has helped other small communities survive," Kallansrud said.