G.E. Nordell's
City of Rio Communities, New Mexico [est. 2013]
Travel & Business Links Page

main New Mexico Travel &
Business Links Page
Albuquerque, NM Travel Links Page
Santa Fe, NM Travel Links Page

Northwest New Mexico Page
Northeast New Mexico Page
Central New Mexico Page
Southwest New Mexico Page
Southeast New Mexico Page
Valencia County, New Mexico Page

Historical Figures of New Mexico
New Mexico Political Links Page
New Mexico Railroads Page
Reading About New Mexico Page
New Mexico Print Media

       new City Hall of the City of Rio Communities in New Mexico, 2021        Valencia County gov't
a few important people

City of Rio Communities, NM
Rio Communities events
businesses in Rio Communities

nearby City of Belén, New Mexico

nearby Village of Los Lunas, NM

             


color seal of the State of New Mexico [est. 1912]            county map of New Mexico highlighting Valencia County            color seal of Valencia County, New Mexico [est. 1852]

The area became part of the United States in 1846, and Valencia County was established
1 September 1852 as part of New Mexico Territory. New Mexico became a state in 1912.
The 4,542-square mile Cibola County split off in June 1981.
Valencia County, New Mexico covers 1067.6 square miles; population: 76,569 (2012 estimate).

Valencia County official website
Valencia County, NM entry at Wikipedia

emergency phone numbers     true emergency 9-1-1
Valencia County Sheriff dispatch 505/866-2460
Valencia County Sheriff main office 505/866-2400
Los Lunas Police main office 505/865-9130
Belén Police main office 505/966-2680
Valencia County Animal Control 505/866-2479
U.N.M. Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
PNM power outages 505/246-5911
NM Gas Company leaks/emergencies 1-888-664-2726
NM Crime Stoppers 505/843-7867
NM Road Conditions 1-800-432-4269
time & weather 505/821-1111

Sheriff Dept. 24-hour dispatch phone 505-866-2460  Valencia County Sheriff
Sheriff Denise A. Romero Vigil [Dem 2019-2022, re-elected as Republican 5/2022-12/2025]

Valencia Regional Emergency Communications Center aka '911'
sign up for the free 'reverse 911' local emergency notification system operated by VRECC

Valencia County, NM Fire Department

Valencia County, NM Community Watch Facebook Group [est. 2/2017 - 4,200+ members]
Los Lunas, NM Community Watch Facebook Group [est. 10/2016 - 1,800+ members]
Belén, NM Crime Watch Facebook Group [est. 10/2016 - 2,800+ members]
Rio Communities, NM Crime Watch Facebook Group [est. 2/2017 - 900+ members]

Valencia County [NM] Chamber of Commerce   { website given up }
Valencia County [NM] Hispano Chamber of Commerce [est. 1998]
Business Women of Valencia County

Valencia County Soil & Water Conservation District

Democratic Party of New Mexico

Democratic Party of Valencia County, New Mexico [est. 10/2011]

Valencia County Federation of Democratic Women []   they are on Facebook
Young Democrats of Valencia County, New Mexico   they are on Facebook

New Mexico 13th District Court - Valencia, Cibola, Sandoval counties
Barbara Romo, 13th N.M. Judicial District Attorney [sworn 2021]

weekly Valencia County News-Bulletin newspaper [est. 1910 as twice-weekly, cut to weekly 4/2013] in Belén, New Mexico - delivers to 15,000 families weekly
INFO: moved 8/2019; office hours: 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday  moved offices to 221 So. Main Street in Downtown Belén, New Mexico in August 2019

daily Albuquerque [NM] Journal newspaper

University of New Mexico Valencia Campus [est. 1981, moved 1986] in Tomé, New Mexico
New Mexico Water Service Co. [est. 2002] serving parts of Bernalillo, Sierra & Valencia Counties
TransWorld Network Corp. [est. 1988] - internet & TV service for Luna, Dońa Ana, Torrance & Valencia counties
  Mike Meister, Appliance Technician   cell phone 505/450-8009 

A Few Important People

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich [since 2013; Dem] won re-election in 2018
official webpage • entry at Wikipedia • campaign website
Martin Heinrich for U.S. Senate bumper sticker
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Page at Spirit of America Bookstore

incumbent N.M. 3rd District U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Luján [2015-2020; Dem] is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2020
entry at Wikipedia • campaign website
U.S. Congress N.M. 3rd District Democratic Cong. Ben Ray Luján campaign website

N.M. 1st District U.S. Congresswoman Deb Haaland [since 2019; Dem]
official website • entry at Wikipedia • campaign website

U.S. Cong. Deb Haaland Page at Spirit of America Bookstore

N.M. 2nd District U.S. Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small [since 2019; Dem]
official website • campaign website •
Congresswoman Torres Small's Belén office [open 10/2019], 719 So. Main Street in Belén, NM   phone 505-966-2751

incumbent N.M. 3rd District U.S. Congressman Ben Ray Luján [2015-2020; Dem] is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in 2020
official webpage • campaign website • entry at Wikipedia

New Mexico Legislature website

NM Senator for District 29 {Bernalillo & Valencia counties}: Gregory A. Baca [since 2017; GOP] is up for re-election in 2020
official website

NM Senator for District 30 {Cibola, Socorro & Valencia}: Clemente Sanchez [since 2013; Dem]*
official website • no campaign website

NM Senator for District 39 {Bernalillo, Santa Fe, San Miguel, Torrance, Valencia & Lincoln counties}
current Senator Elizabeth 'Liz' Stefanics of Santa Fe [1993-96 and since 2016; Dem]
official website • entry at Wikipedia • campaign website

NM Legislator for District 7 {Valencia County}: Kelly K. Fajardo [since 2013; GOP]

NM Legislator for District 8 {Valencia County}: Brian Baca [apptd 1/2022; GOP]   1/2022
formerly Los Lunas Schools administrator

NM Legislator for District 49 {Catron, Socorro & south Valencia}: Gail Armstrong [since 2017; GOP]* - ran unopposed in 2018

NM Legislator for District 50 {Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance & Valencia}: Matthew McQueen [Dem; since 2014]
official website • campaign website

NM Legislator for District 69 {Bernalillo, Cibola, McKinley, San Juan, Valencia, Socorro}: Harry Garcia [Dem; since 2016] - ran unopposed in 2018

[ last update this section 4/2022 ]

long-missing teenager Tara Calico [1969-88] of Rio Communities  click here for photograph (in a new window)
missing since regular mid-day bike ride along Highway 47 on 20 September 1988
more details on the New Mexico Historical Figures Page

Democrat activist Pam Cordova of Rio Communities, NM
ran for the NM House District 30 seat in the June 2020 primary election
served as President of Valencia County Federation of Democratic Women
is currently serving on the board of New Mexico Federation of Democratic Women [est. 1977]
served as Chair of the Democratic Party of Valencia County
elect Democrat Pam Cordova to New Mexico House District 30

Rev. Dr. Joe Keith MacDonald of First United Methodist Church [est. 1948] in Rio Communities, New Mexico

author/philosopher/revolutionary G.E. Nordell of Rio Communities, New Mexico
official website • philosophy/activism websites • "Working Minds" Source Document
weblog {est. 10/2005} • detective novel

There is NO hospital in Valencia County, New Mexico {2022}
American Medical Response - ambulance service [est. 1992], 643 NM Highway 314 SW in Los Lunas, New Mexico

Valencia County 24-Hour/Emergency Health Care Forum at NMU-VC in March 2016
group headed by Nicholas 'Nick' Blea, acting chairman: 505/565-7238 + nicholasblea@gmail.com
Medical Care Advocates of Valencia County (MCA-VC) = formed 3/2016, website up 4/2017


original seal of the City of Rio Communities in New Mexico (color)               new seal of the City of Rio Communities in New Mexico (color) of 1/2022
City of Rio Communities [est. 1 July 2013]
[same 87002 ZIP code as Belén, New Mexico]
Several land development companies began selling lots across the river from Belén, New Mexico in the 1960s, collectively named the Rio Communities.
Rapid growth slowed at the end of the century, and essentually halted due to the G.O.P. Economic Meltdown of 2008. A few energized locals built a demand
for self-rule (versus lousy services under Valencia County), and a special election in January 2013 won passage for cityhood.
{Only 1,063 voters of 5,000 residents participated, but the 672 to 391 count came out 63 percent for versus 37 percent against incorporation.}
The official population of Rio Communities is 5,476 (4/2016).

City Hall is now at 360 Rio Communities Blvd.; office hours are 9am-1pm Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday
official City of Rio Communities telephone number:  official City of Rio Communities telephone number (new 1/2014) 505-861-6803
Rio Communities, New Mexico [est. 5/2013] entry at Wikipedia
entry for Rio Communities, New Mexico at CityData website
City of Rio Communities, New Mexico official website [est. 2/2014]
often-updated City of Rio Communities Facebook page

The Rio Communities City Council public meetings are on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month - at 6pm
Mayor Joshua Ramsell [elected 11/2021, former Councilor] • official email
  Councilor Arthur L. Apodaca [elected 11/2021 to 11/2025] • official email
  Councilor Lawrence R. Gordon [elected 11/2021 to 11/2025] • official email
  Councilor Matthew Amos Marquez [elected 11/2023 to 11/2027] • official email
Councilor Thomas W. Nelson [elected 11/2023 to 11/2027] • official email

INFO 10/2019: Mayor Gwinn is having a health crisis and is on medical leave until January 2020, maybe February - and still in late 2021    former Mayor Mark P. Gwinn [2013-2021] • official email
former Councilor William 'Bill' Brown [elected 2016-resigned 9/2021, then died]
  former Councilor Robert Chavez [appointed 2/2015-3/2016, appointed 9/2021-2022]
  former Councilor Peggy Gutjahr [appointed 10/2014, re-elected 2016 & 2019; pro-tem 10/2019-8/2021] • official email
former Councilor Kaylon Northcutt [7/2013-8/2014] - left town
former Councilor & Mayor Pro-tem Joshua Ramsell [elected 2018, pro-tem from 8/2102, elected Mayor 11/2021]
former Councilor Arturo Sais [2016-2020]
former Councilor Thomas Scroggins [appointed 4/2016 to fill the seat vacated by Councilor Stasi; lost re-election 3/2018]
former Councilor Mary Lee Serna [2013-3/2016]
former Councilor Cyndi Sluder [7/2013-12/2014] - resigned, moved to Las Cruces
former Councilor Frank Stasi [2013-3/2016] - resigned
  former Councilor Jim Winters [elected 2020-2023]

City Manager Dr. Martin 'Marty' Moore, PhD [hired 1/2021]
city webpage • official email
former City Manager Leisa Haynes [hired 3/2019, suspended 1/2020, fired 3/2020]
BLACK STAR: tends to insult workers/volunteers to their face, at which point several have resigned  former City Manager Bob Skerry [hired 2015, fired 10/2018]

City Clerk
former City Clerk Elizabeth 'Lisa' Adair [6/2015-10/2023]
former City Clerk Marilyn Winters (volunteer 1/2014 to 6/2015)
Deputy City Clerk Amy Lopez (apptd 1/2019)
former Deputy City Clerk Pamela Johnson (retired 12/2018)
Election Clerk Marilyn Winters (2014)

City Personnel Board
Syl Saavedra, board member (apptd 8/2019)

City Treasurer/CFO Stephanie Finch (hired 8/2019)
former City Treasurer/CFO Celina Benavidez (hired 1/2017)
former City Treasurer Marilyn Winters (2015-2016)
former City Treasurer Gordon Warrick (2013-2014)

shoulder patch/logo for Rio Communities [NM] Police Department
City Public Safety Department (new funding 2023)
Rio Communities Police Department [est. 2023] - began recruiting 12/2022
RCPD Chief Felix Nunez, Jr. [hired 8/2023]   8/2023   official email
RCPD officer Jose Rodriguez [hired 11/2023]   8/2023   official email
RCPD admin assistant Emma Sanchez [hired Fall 2023]   8/2023   official email
  RCPD Tipline   8/2023   official email
Sheriff Deputy Roque 'Rocky' Fernandez was assigned here per V.C.S.D. contract for 40 hours per week from July 2016 to June 2023.

City Public Works Department (new 2020)
Public Works Director Gordon Reeves [prom 2020]
workers Randy and Ross (3/2020), Martin (12/2022)
full-time Code Enforcer Gordon Reeves [hired 11/2018, prom 2020]
city webpage • official email  
former Code Enforcer Preston Craig [hired 2015, resigned 2/2017]

Planning & Zoning Commission
Planning & Zoning chair Thomas Scroggins (3/2022)   official email
Planning & Zoning vice chair Scott Adair (3/2022)   official email
Planning & Zoning member+sec'y Melodie Good (sworn 3/2022)   official email
Planning & Zoning member Chad Good (sworn 1/2023)   official email
Planning & Zoning member Adelina 'Lina' Benavidez (sworn 1/2023)   official email
former Planning & Zoning member L.E. Rubin [appointed 4/2016; 3/2022]
former Planning & Zoning vice chair John Thompson (3/2022)
former P&Z member Lawrence Gordon (2017) - elected Councilor 11/2021
former P&Z member Dennis Kintzler [appointed 5/2016]
former P&Z member Arturo Sais {elected to City Council 3/2016}
former P&Z member Bob Skerry {hired as City Manager 2015, fired 2018}
former P&Z member Robert Teague [appointed 1/2017]
former P&Z member Jim Winters - elected Councilor 11/2020

Municipal Magistrate Holly Noelle Chavez [apptd 5/2020]
city webpage • official email
Municipal Court Clerk Linda Montano [sworn 9/2022]
Municipal Judge Pro Tem Michael Vallejos [apptd 9/2020]
City Clerk / former Court Clerk Elizabeth 'Lisa' Adair [hired 6/2015]
former Municipal Magistrate Heather Benavidez [elected 3/2013 & 3/2015 & 3/2018, resigned 2020]

Rio Communities [NM] Economic Development Commission
EDC member Frank Logan (2022), former chair
EDC member+secretary Fran Rossberg (2022)
EDC vice chair Loedi Silva (2022)
EDC member Kuan Tikkun (2022), former vice chair
EDC member Tom Zanotti [apptd 2/2019]
city webpage • independent R.C. Economic Development Committee website

economic development consultant Ralph L. Mims [hired 2021] - formerly employed at Village of Los Lunas
official website • official email   

E.D.C. has founded the Rio Communities [NM] Action Network non-profit [est. 2019]
which used to meet at the R.C. Coffee Shop on Third Thursday at 2-4pm
officers: Kuan Tikkun, chair; Frank Logan, treasurer; Michelle Gorgogna, sec'y (1/2020)

Rio Communities City Library [soft opening 5/2022] inside City Hall
temporary hours 10am-3pm on Tuesday & Thursday
Rio Communities Library Board {as-of 2/2022}
Bobby Caldwell, chairman • official email
Merita Wilson, vice-chair; Lisa Tabet-Chavez, secretary; members Deborah Benavidez, Lisa LaManna, Rita White

Rio Communities Chess Club [est. 9/2022] sponsored by the R.C. Optimist Club   9/2022
for children ages 8-13 interested in learning to play chess or just improving their game; all levels of ability are welcome;
the club meets from 4-5pm every Wednesday at Rio Communities City Hall

Valencia County [NM] Business Incubator [est. 2021]
interim director Ben Romero (2021)
Business Incubator RC Branch [open 6/2022], 360 Rio Communities Blvd. {inside City Hall}
Business Incubator Los Lunas Branch, inside UNM-VC Workforce Training Center in West Los Lunas

2014 ELECTION 5 March: The Valencia County municipal elections results are incumbent Mayor Mark Gwinn beat repeat challenger Michael Vallejos;
incumbent City Magistrate Heather Benavidez beat George Moscona; and the incumbent City Council members Frank Stasi & Cynthia Sluder
beat challengers Judge John W. Pope & Richard Garcia for the two open seats.

2016 ELECTION March 1: Bill Brown won the open 2-year seat with 291 votes. There were three candidates for the two 4-year open seats (due to Staci's resignation):
Gutjahr won re-election with 291 votes; Arturo Sais won the 4-year open seat with 235 votes; and Thomas Scroggins placed third with 103 votes.

2018 ELECTION March 6: Mayor Gwinn re-elected, Bill Brown re-elected for 4 years, Thomas Scroggins defeated by newcomer Joshua Ramsell; Judge Benavidez won re-election.

2019 ELECTION November 5: Peggy Gutjahr was re-elected, incumbent Arturo Sais was defeated by newcomer Jim Winters
Nov 2019 City Council candidates were Jerry Don Gage, Peggy Gutjahr, Arturo Sais, John Keith Thompson, Jim Winters, and Allen Zach

2021 ELECTION November 2: Councilor Joshua Ramsell ran unopposed for mayor; Councilor Brown is gone, which provides two open seats on the council:
Arthur L. Apodaca and Lawrence R. Gordon, Jr. were elected; the other four candidates were Leyda Martinez Hahn, Richard Henderson, John K. Thompson &
Ronnie White  BLACK STAR: Ronnie White did not disclose that he is a convicted felon; he is allowed to vote, but even if elected he cannot take any office; appointee Holly Noelle Chavez ran unopposed for first full term as municipal judge. {voter total was a measly 586}

2023 ELECTION November 7 for two council seats {voter total was a measly 616}
Matthew Marquez won open Gutjahr seat (346 votes), Jim Winters and Thomas W. Nelson tied at 302, Richard K. Henderson placed 4th at 282 votes;
the tie was decided by drawing cards: Nelson drew an ace, Winters drew the five of spades.

Events in Rio Communities, Valencia County, New Mexico

Rio Communities Family Wellness Fair [April 2016 = #1]
flu bug   { March 2020 event cancelled due to statewide coronavirus lockdown }

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Rio Communities  Culpepper & Merriweather Great Combined Circus [est. 1985]
on Easter Saturday 16 April 2022; two shows are 2pm and 4:30pm
adult tickets were $12, seniors & kids $7; sponsored by First United Methodist Church
based in Hugo, Oklahoma; official website

Tim Lardner Memorial Golf Tourney May 2015 = #5] at Tierra Del Sol Golf Club in Rio Communities :: flyer!

R.C. Performing Arts Camp [19-30 June 2023 = #2] at First United Methodist Church :: flyer!
R.C. Performing Arts Camp "Honk" performance night [30 June 2023] at First United Methodist Church

Junior Golf Camp [June 2022] at Tierra Del Sol Golf Club in Rio Communities :: flyer!

R.G.E. Fire Department Auxiliary Independence Day Barbeque [Saturday 2 July 2016 = #14]
NOTE: the Annual Barbeque is postponed until the firehouse kitchen rebuild is completed - probably Summer 2017.

National Night Out [est. 1984] First Tuesday in August: RC event [Aug 2018 = #1]

Rio Communities Pioneer Days Parade & Picnic [2014-2015] :: flyer!

Rio Communities Health Fair [returned October 2023] at City Hall :: 2015 flyer
{ 2018 event cancelled due to construction at City Hall }

R.C. Tenth Anniversary Car Show [Oct 2023] at City Hall :: flyer

municipal elections for Valencia County are in early November {since 2019}


Sheriff Dept. 24-hour dispatch phone 505/866-2460  Valencia County Sheriff
Sheriff Deputy Roque 'Rocky' Fernandez was assigned here per V.C.S.D. contract for 40 hours per week from July 2016 to June 2023.

Police Chief Felix Nunez, Jr. [hired 8/2023]   8/2023

sign up for the free 'reverse 911' local emergency notification system operated by Valencia County

Sheriff Dept. 24-hour dispatch phone 505/866-2460, fire station phone 505/864-6161  Rio Grande Estates Fire Dept. [est. 1962], 108 Rio Communities Blvd.
interim? Fire Chief Andrew Tabet [hired 5/2022]
former Fire Chief Christopher Bortz [hired 10/2021 then quit]   ? resigned for 'personal reasons' after one week in town, rumors say threats of violence (here or back in South Carolina?)
former Volunteer Fire Chief Andrew Tabet [apptd 6/2020 - replaced 10/2021]
Volunteer Fire Captain Marianne Rittner-Holmes [returned 9/2020]
Fire Station Auxiliary - Yvonne Gonzales, president
Valencia County Fire Dept. Burn Line phone 505/866-2036 {rev 3/2017}  Valencia County Fire Department Burn Line {changed 3/2017}

Rio Communities, NM Crime Watch Facebook Group [est. 2/2017 - 900+ members]

Rio Communities View local newsletter [2014-2017] - Clarke Metcalf, editor
Rio Communities Assn. [est. 4/1965, closed 12/2015] in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Valley Improvement Assn. office phone 505-864-6654  Valley Improvement Assn. of the Rio Communities [NM], 386 Rio Communities Blvd.
Tierra Grande Improvement Assn., 480 Rio Communities Blvd.

Medical Care Advocates of Valencia County - hospital advocacy group [ website given up ]
Cliff's Mobile Mechanic Service based in Rio Communities, New Mexico  Cliff's Mobile Mechanic Service phone 505/440-2883
V&C Cleaning based in Rio Communities, New Mexico  V&C Cleaning based in Rio Communities phone 505/864-6014  V&C Cleaning based in Rio Communities cell phone 505/363-1575
The Rio Communities Optimist Club [blog est. 2018]

east of the River Road Bridge on Manzano Expressway
Sierra Vista Baptist Church [], 105 La Luna Place in Rio Communities, New Mexico
First United Methodist Church of Belén [est. 1948], 75 Manzano Expressway in Rio Communities, New Mexico
First Presbyterian Church of Belén [est. 1964], 85 Manzano Expressway in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Chamesa {short for 'Enchanted Mesa'} subdivision   click here for photograph (in a new window)

north of the River Road Bridge / Manzano Expressway
INFO: 97-acre tract of irrigated land bordered on the west by the Rio Grande River and surrounded by mixed agricultural and residential properties; acquired in April 2003 by the Valencia Soil & Water Conservation District through donation   Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area [est. 2003], 2424 Highway 47, in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Friends of Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area [est. 2008]
Desert Willow Festival [Aug 2016] at Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area
the Big Hole wildfire in the Rio Grande bosque in April 2022 burned 85-90% of Whitfield's acreage   click here for photograph (in a new window)

Jessy Graham's Security Ironworks [est. 1990], 2450 NM Highway 47 in Valencia County, New Mexico
legal cannabis dispensary store   Dispensary Near Me cannabis store [open 2022], 2384 NM Highway 47 in Valencia County, New Mexico
Snip Ends Family Haircuts, 2361 Highway 47, in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Good Gollly {sic} Finds & Treasures - thrift store, 2359 NM Highway 47 moved to 304 Rio Communities Blvd. in 2022
Paul's Son Signs & Graphics 2357 NM Highway 47 in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Old Mill Western Mercantile [took over Arroyo Feed 10/2010], 2353 NM Highway 47 in Rio Communities
Big Mike's Grill, Taqueria & More [opened 9/2011, moved away 4/2019], 2350 NM Highway 47 in Rio Communities, New Mexico

south of the River Road Bridge / Manzano Expressway
PeeWee's Pit Stop Conoco gas station [opened 6/2023], 102 Rio Communities Blvd.   they have no website
Pee Wee's offers Hunt Brothers® Pizza [est. 1991] and Conoco gas
Al's Mini-Mart & Conoco gas station [], 102 Rio Communities Blvd.  { closed 3/2022 }

INFO: open seven days 8am-10pm  Dollar General Store #11785 [opened 1/2010], 109 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Abundant Grace Free Store [moved 8/2011], 203 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
award-winning dentist Joe R. Wilson DDS, PC, 205 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
legal cannabis dispensary store   Leaf & Flower cannabis dispensary [NM chain], 300 Rio Communities Blvd. [open 2021?] in Rio Communities, New Mexico   ? status unclear 2023
Good Gollly {sic} Finds & Treasures - thrift store [moved from Hwy 47 in 2022], 304 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
INFO: open 6am-2pm Mon-Fri only  Rio Communities Coffee Shop [2018-2021], 304 Rio Communities Blvd. { closed }
La Merced Moose Family Center Lodge 2550 & Chapter 2210, 306 Rio Communities Blvd.
Rio Communities Senior Center office phone 505-864-7500  Valencia County Del Rio Senior Center, 351 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
City Hall is at 360 Rio Communities Blvd.
M&M Respiratory Services, 385 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Sina Medical Urgent Care phone 505/899-5570   Sina Medical LLC Urgent Care clinic [open July 2020], 386 Rio Communities Blvd. {just south of RC City Hall} { closed 2021 }
United Business Bank {formerly Bank of Belen}, 394 Rio Communities Blvd.
Rio Communities Service - gas & auto repair [est. 1971], 400 Rio Communities Blvd. { closed 2021 }
New Mexico Water Service Co. [est. 2002], 401 Horner Street in Rio Communities, New Mexico


Oasis Plaza is at 480 Rio Communities Blvd. {grand re-opening 10/2020}  they are on Facebook

A = Oasis Nail Spa & Gift Boutique, 480 Rio Communities Blvd.   they are on Facebook
B = K's Sweets & Lovely Things [open 5/2021] in Oasis Plaza
C = M.M.R. Beef Shop - storefront outlet [est. 2021] for Manzano Mountain Ranch [est. 1982]
D = Professional Styling Salon, 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
E = Oasis Laundromat Wash & Fold [est. 4/2020], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
F = Goodfellas II Barber Shop [open 8/2022], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
INFO: open Tue-Sat 8am-7pm; breakfast until 1pm, lunch served all day; menu includes chicken, beef, fish & chips, burgers, burritos, tacos, sandwiches, soups & salads; coffee, tea, soft drinks only  G = Longbow Diner [opened 2/2022], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.  Longbow Diner phone 505/433-2182  Longbow Diner on Facebook
H = Tierra Grande Improvement Assn., 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
I = Cornerstone Church, 480 Rio Communities Blvd.

former tenants at Oasis Plaza
The Art Center at Rio Communities [opened 10/2008] { closed }
Boho Sno Shaved Hawaiian Ice [moved to Belén, near Lowe's Grocery 5/2023]   Boho Sno Shaved Hawaiian Ice on Facebook
Dimes Diner [4/2014 - 4/2015], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
Goldie's Diner [4/2012 - 4/2014], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.
LeftOver’s Kafe [6/2015 - 9/2015] { closed when the roof collapsed }
Mennonite River Market & Bakery, 480 Rio Communities Blvd. { closed }
Morgan's Cakes & More [est. 2/2017, moved 1/2019, closed 10/2019]  they are on Facebook
Oasis Cafe #1 [opened 2/2019, opened on Main Street in Belén 11/2020]  Oasis Cafe phone 505-433-2182  Oasis Cafe menu on Facebook
Sportsman Barber Shop [2019-2022], 480 Rio Communities Blvd.

Tierra del Sol Golf & Country Club [est. 1968] in Rio Communities, New Mexico   they are on Facebook   click here for aerial photograph (in a new window)
Cafe del Sol: available for banquets & weddings at the Tierra del Sol Golf Club in Rio Communities, New Mexico

Belén Mennonite Church, 862 Rio Communities Blvd. in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Bar-G-Bar Buffalo & Longhorn Ranch, 1910 Highway 304 in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Casa de Vida Retreat Center, 700 Western Drive (off Hwy. 304) in Rio Communities, New Mexico
Yucca Self Storage, 2260 Highway 304 in Rio Communities, New Mexico
AAA Estate Sales by Jo, 2290 Highway 304 in Rio Communities
County Towing Service, 2292 Highway 304 in Rio Communities, New Mexico {website parked}   cell phone 505/861-6930  they are on Facebook
Universal Waste Systems of California [new RC yard 5/2021], 2308 Highway 304 in Rio Communities, New Mexico
P & W Auto Services, 2308 Highway 304 in Rio Communities, New Mexico   { website shut down 2021 }
Grande River Mechanics - tractor dealer & repair, 5 Providence Way in Rio Communities, New Mexico

Pecos Home Builders Manzano Vista subdivision [announced 7/2019, 27 lots for sale from 7/2022]


seal of the City of Belén in New Mexico (color)
City of Belén, New Mexico [est. 1740, incorp. 1918]

City of Belén, New Mexico official website
Belén, New Mexico entry at Wikipedia

Since I live in Rio Communities, New Mexico and shop across the river in Belén and up the road in Los Lunas, this page got way too big because of all the detail
that I kept adding (I moved here in 2005). So when it came time in February 2020 to split the page so that it would not take forever to load, I chose to make a separate
City of Belén Page, which turned out to be almost exactly half. A second split-off for the Village of Los Lunas removed about one-third more.

top of page •• places to eat •• businesses •• media •• construction trades ••

local lodging •• culture & history •• organizations •• smaller communities


official seal of the Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico
Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico 87031  [incorp. 1928]
Los Lunas is crossed by a pre-1937 portion of Old Route 66, which route includes NM Highway 47 south from Albuquerque
and Main Street {NM Highway 6} in Los Lunas, continuing westward toward Laguna and Grants, New Mexico

Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico official website
Los Lunas, New Mexico entry at Wikipedia

Since I live in Rio Communities, New Mexico and shop across the river in Belén and up the road in Los Lunas, this page got way too big because of all the detail
that I kept adding (I moved here in 2005). So when it came time in February 2020 to split the page so that it would not take forever to load, I chose to make a separate
City of Belén Page (which turned out to be almost exactly half) and a similar separate Village of Los Lunas Page.

top of page •• businesses •• I-25 Freeway to Highway 314 •• Highway 314 at Main Street •• Highway 314 to the river ••

east of the river •• places to eat •• West Los Lunas •• smaller communities north •• smaller communities south


Communities North of Rio Communities, New Mexico

Community of Tomé Land Grant, New Mexico 87060
[est. 1650 & again in 1739] • Tomé-Adelino, NM population: 2,200 (2000 census).
Tomé-Adelino Community entry at Wikipedia
Tomé-Adelino Volunteer Fire Dept. [] official County webpage
Tomé [NM] Art Gallery [est. 1996], 2930 Highway 47 in Tomé, New Mexico
Pacifico Clay Works at the Tomé [NM] Art Gallery in Tomé, New Mexico

University of New Mexico Valencia Campus [est. 1986] in Tomé, New Mexico
UNM Valencia Advisory Board - at-large member Joleen M. Chavez {elected 11/2021}
UNM Valencia Advisory Board Position I member Elois G. Tabet {re-elected 11/2021}
New Mexico Film Festival [Feb 2013 = #2] at U.N.M. - Valencia Campus
American Assn. of University Professors - UNM Valencia Chapter [last update 2004, geo-mirror 2009]


Communities South of Rio Communities, New Mexico

Rio Grande Industrial Park on NM Highway 304
Avonite was merged with Aristech in 2003: factory is at 1951 Highway 304 in Rio Grande Industrial Park (6/2020)
Lhoist-ChemicalLime, 81 Christine Drive in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Süd-Chemie of Germany was acquired by Clariant in April 2011
Clariant Healthcare Packaging factory [renamed 2011] in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Desert Sky Ranch - equine retirement & boarding
HydroCut, Inc. industrial water-jet cutting, 8 Navarro Drive in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Mesa Oil - petroleum recycling plant [est. 2003], 20 Lucero Drive in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Rio Abajo Adobe School [est. 1970, closed 6/2006] in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Solo Cup Company factory in Rio Grande Industrial Park { plant closed 3/2009, 215 jobs lost }
Southwest Generation Valencia Energy Facility [est. 2008], 55 Christine Drive in Rio Grande Industrial Park   INFO: 152MW gas-fired peak power provider
Arcosa Wind Towers [est. ??, local 2023], 1951 Highway 304 in Rio Grande Industrial Park
Keter Plastics [est. 1948, local 2017-2020], 1951 Highway 304 { plant closed 7/2020, 60-100 jobs lost }

Tierra Grande Improvement Assn.
La Puerta Natural Burial Ground New Mexico [est. 2016] at the Valencia-Socorro County border

City of Socorro, New Mexico 87801 [founded circa 1620, incorp. 1884]
Socorro County [NM] Chamber of Commerce
more detail on the Socorro County, New Mexico Page

here on G.E. Nordell's ity of Rio Communities, New Mexico Business & Travel Links Page

top of page   •  Valencia County gov't   •  a few important people   •  City of Rio Communities, NM   •  Rio Communities events   •  businesses   • 

nearby City of Belén, NM   •  nearby Village of Los Lunas, NM   •  north of RC   • south of RC


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