After nearly a year of rapid expansion and renewed visibility, the Aztec Chamber of Commerce is asking the City of Aztec to enter a $25,000 purchase‑of‑services agreement to support its growing slate of business and community programs.
Executive Director Hannah Browning told commissioners on May 26 that the chamber has undergone a full restructuring since mid‑2025, transforming from a struggling organization with fewer than 40 members into a revitalized hub with 122 active members, new branding, a downtown office, and more than 75 annual events.
Browning said the requested funding would help sustain that momentum, generate an estimated $278,000 in local spending, and formalize the chamber’s partnership with the city under New Mexico’s anti‑donation clause. Mayor Mike Padilla directed her to work with the city manager to draft a formal agreement.
Browning’s presentation provided extensive data on their rapid growth after she took over the reins as executive director of the revitalized Aztec Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re here tonight to share what the Chamber has accomplished over the last 10 months, and to make a final request for city funding support,” Browning said. “The Chamber has been a part of this community since the 70s. We are not new, but we are new again, and we are excited to show you what that looks like.”
Browning said the chamber was reorganized and restructured in 2023 and brought on “active leadership” when she stepped into her role in July 2025.
“The chamber was lacking consistent programming, a defined event calendar, an active office presence, an ambassador network, established sponsorships, and a significant membership base,” Browning said.
There were less than 40 paid members, she said, adding there was a lack of a “consistent and recognizable face showing up” for the community on behalf of the chamber.
“We saw what was needed and we got to work,” Browning said, noting a primary priority was making the chamber “visible and accessible.”
A full rebranding of the chamber was done between October 2025 and March 2026, with a new logo, new signs, new website and branded materials.
“The logo itself was designed intentionally around our community, the Moneysaving Bridge, the blue and green representing financial growth, and orange for the Aztec Tigers,” said Browning, noting their new office, 123 S. Main, became a “true walk-in resource for businesses and residents.”
She said the rebranding and new office presence were well received by community members and “serious internal work” has been undertaken to strengthen the Aztec Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.
“For the first time, community members and business owners came to us asking to join our board,” she said, adding new board members have been welcomed this week.
The Chamber of Commerce’s goals for next year include sustaining event presence, expanding the educational and business support programming, with a stronger focus on economic development and helping new businesses, Browning said.
A $25,000 investment in the chamber would fund over 75 events, covering expenses the chamber absorbs internally and generate an estimated $278,000 in local spending and supports business retention and economic development, Browning said.
“We are requesting $25,000 from the city of Aztec,” Browning said
She said the funding is not about “maintaining the status quo, it’s about building the capacity to do more for the community.”
Browning said the chamber acknowledges New Mexico’s anti-donation clause and is fully prepared to enter into a formal service agreement with the City of Aztec, which would be a “purchase of services.”
Mayor Mike Padilla said he would like the chamber to present a formal agreement to the city manager, who could bring it back to the commission.