BY ALLAN SAENZ
My name is Allan Saenz, and I’ve been a business owner in Los Alamos for 26 years. I operate two local businesses—SALA Los Alamos Event Center, which has been a part of this community for two years, and Los Alamos Network, which has been providing high-speed internet for over two decades. Throughout this time, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of doing business in this county. And now, after many years of witnessing the same patterns, I feel compelled to share my concerns and call for change in how Los Alamos County operates, especially with the upcoming election for county councilors.
Los Alamos County Council’s 2024 Strategic Leadership Plan highlights economic vitality, local business growth, downtown revitalization, and community broadband as priorities. But what I’ve seen in practice is a disconnect between these strategic goals and the actions of county staff and council. There’s a lack of meaningful support for small and medium businesses, and decisions are being made without genuine input from the community.
Take, for example, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) discussion. The council recently took no action on a citizen petition to form an advisory commission for the MRA in eastern downtown Los Alamos. Despite many community members, including myself, expressing concerns at public meetings, the voices of those present were ignored. Instead, it feels like decisions are predetermined by county staff, and the council acts as rubber stampers rather than representatives of the people. This is not leadership. We elect councilors to represent our interests, listen to the community, and provide direction—not to simply approve whatever staff puts in front of them.
I’ve also gone through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) process with my business, SALA Los Alamos Event Center. After nearly a year of jumping through bureaucratic hoops and feeling like there was no real interest from the county in forming a partnership, I had no choice but to withdraw. Meanwhile, Columbus Capital is negotiating with the county to develop a conference center that would directly compete with my business. This is especially concerning because, as part of our Phase 5 plans at SALA, we also aim to build a conference center to serve the community. While I support the development and believe Columbus Capital can bring much-needed revitalization to the area, I also believe that these opportunities should be open to all—not just large corporations. Small and medium local businesses deserve the same chance to grow and thrive.
Workforce housing is something that I believe the county should seriously invest in, and it’s an area where collaboration with entities like Columbus Capital could bring real benefits to the community. Affordable, workforce housing is not just about providing more homes—it’s about supporting local businesses by ensuring that workers can afford to live and work here in Los Alamos. When people can live in the community where they work, it helps businesses thrive by providing a stable workforce and keeps the economy vibrant. Coupled with the untapped potential in tourism, which could bring an influx of visitors to support small businesses, the county needs to shift its focus toward creating opportunities that benefit everyone. By investing in both workforce housing and tourism infrastructure, we can ensure Los Alamos remains a place where businesses, both large and small, can grow and succeed.
Tourism is an area where I don’t see enough being done, and it doesn’t seem to be a priority for the county. We have a rich history and legacy here in Los Alamos, not just because of theOppenheimermovie, but due to our unique role in world history. Along with that, we are surrounded by stunning landscapes, trails, and attractions like Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera. Despite all these assets, the county has not taken the necessary action to turn tourism into a key driver for our local economy.
Tourism can bring an influx of visitors that helps small businesses thrive, yet we’re missing opportunities to capitalize on it. Many visitors come to Los Alamos and are left without direction or clear opportunities to engage with the area. With the right infrastructure and focus, we could do so much more to support both our visitors and local businesses, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment that sustains growth.
And finally, broadband. I’ve been in the internet business for 26 years, and Los Alamos Network has served 20% of the local market with fiber and wireless services. Yet, despite multiple attempts over the years, there’s been little progress on expanding community broadband. I hope this time, with new decisions on the horizon, that the county consider local providers seriously and doesn’t push us out of the market.
It’s time for the county to align its actions with its strategic goals. We need councilors who will take an active role in decision-making, who will ask the hard questions, and demand transparency and accountability from county staff. We need leadership that isn’t afraid to say no when necessary, and that will prioritize the long-term health and vibrancy of our local economy over short-term gains for a few.
As a longtime resident and business owner, I care deeply about the future of Los Alamos. But the path we’re on isn’t sustainable. It’s time for real leadership—leadership that listens to the community, supports local businesses and makes strategic decisions that benefit everyone, not just a select few.
