TOTAL LABOR POOL: APPROXIMATELY 800 DRAWN FROM ANGEL FIRE, EAGLE NEST, CIMARRON, GUADALUPITA & MORA

Continued growth in the tourism, services and construction sectors of the Angel Fire business profile has resulted in an increasingly competitive labor market.

Many of the long-term rental homes and cabins available in the past to the labor force have been sold as vacation homes over the last three years. The reduction in the number of long-term rental housing units has caused a significant increase in the cost of housing. The increased expense and reduction in available long-term rentals has resulted in fewer "resident" workers in the labor pool.

A 2001 survey of Moreno Valley businesses showed total winter employment in the Angel Fire area of 723 wage earners. Summer employment is currently estimated at 481. It is currently estimated that half of the workers, during the winter months, commute from outside the Moreno Valley on a daily basis. Preliminary surveys of the labor base in 1997 and 1998 showed significant numbers or workers driving from Mora, Guadalupita, Cimarron, Red River and Taos. Some businesses in the Moreno Valley have resorted to removing nightly tourist rental accommodations from inventory in order to provide housing for employees.

Average wages: Construction sector at $13.31 per hour, full-time year-round clerical/administrative positions at $9.75 per hour and seasonal tourist services positions at $8.16 per hour.

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An increasing trend in the tourism business sector is scaled back services or hours of operation by businesses to fit the available labor supply. Some business owners are increasing wages or benefits in order to attract and keep well-trained employees.

The current profile of jobs available throughout the area continues to be characterized as seasonal. However, many businesses do offer year-round employment opportunities. See the Chamber of Commerce Member's business list for possibilities.

As examples, the Village of Angel Fire (government offices) has a year-round full-time staff. The Angel Fire Resort is the largest employer in our village, with both full-time and part-time positions, and seasonal opportunities as well. There are also jobs offered in: lumber/hardware, construction, real estate, food and beverage, lodging, recreation, electronics/computer software industry and retail.
Contact the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce, 800-446-8117, for hints on job possibilities and needed businesses in our area, or click here to link to our Businesses Basics page.

For current employment listings, visit the online classified listings of the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Angel Fire's hometown newspaper, or the Taos News.