Doña Ana County Community Network

Doña Ana County lies among the scenic mountains and desert landscapes near the Rio Grande. The southern end of the region borders Juarez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, and is an area of over 3,800 square miles. The population is ever changing with approximately 210,000 people currently living in there, and the county estimates 325,000 people will make Doña Ana County their home over the next 30 years. The county’s temperature and rich environment supports an agrarian lifestyle and is the backbone of the local economy. Doña Ana County includes five incorporated municipalities: Anthony, Hatch, Las Cruces, Mesilla, and Sunland Park.

The Doña Ana County Community Network and Community Network Host, Mesilla Valley Public Housing Authority are working together to build a network of partnerships to identify the community’s needs throughout the county. Most of these communities are designated colonias with special challenges and needs per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The county began a regional planning effort several years ago to address issues related to public services, infrastructure capacity, environmental risks, community engagement, and private development.