Eddy County

Eddy County is located in Southeastern New Mexico. Around 25,000 BC, the people living in the area of Eddy County were relatives of “Sandia Man.”  Nomadic hunters wondered the area, hunting buffalo and other game, over the next several thousand years.  

In the early 1500’s, Spanish explorers Alvar Nunez, Cabeza de Vaca, Antonio Espejo, and Castano de Sosa traveled through present day Eddy County, following the life giving Pecos River.  In 1866, Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, and John Chisum drove vast herds of cattle along the Pecos and set up “cow camps” in Seven Rivers and in present day Carlsbad.  When the territorial legislature met in 1889, they set the boundaries of Eddy County. 

In 1909, oil was discovered in Eddy County near Artesia.  Another big oil strike happened in 1923 in Artesia and SE New Mexico.  In 1902, Jim White discovered “bat caves” now known as Carlsbad Caverns National Park.  In 1925, geologist Dr. VH McNutt discovered potash near Carlsbad that ushered in a “potash boom.”  In 1979, Congress authorized the US Department of Energy Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, located 26 miles southeast of Carlsbad.  This facility houses transuranic radioactive wastes in containers deep in salt beds, isolated from humans and the environment.

Over the years since, Eddy County has continued to grow and flourish. In 2018, the US Geological Survey announced that the Delaware Basin (includes southern Eddy County), which is part of the larger Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico, was the largest continuous oil and gas resource potential ever assessed in the country.  Eddy County is one of the top producers of barrels of oil in the nation. Oil and gas revenues from Eddy County contribute a significant amount to the NM State Budget. The oil and gas expansion is estimated to last for the next 25-30 years.

Upcoming Events

Apr
3
Thu
2025
FREE Online Webinar: Effective Employee Discipline
Apr 3 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

ON-LINE: Effective Employee Discipline Training

INSTRUCTOR:  Mark Allen, NMC General Counsel

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Time: 2pm-4:30pm

Participant certificates will be provided.  

Target Audience: Any county supervisor, manager, and HR employees tasked with advising on discipline.  

Description: This training will provide the keys to correct poor performance in a fair and equitable manner without inviting litigation.  Participants will come away with a better understanding of the role of discipline and when it is warranted; progressive discipline and determining the appropriate discipline; drafting effective disciplinary documents; conducting predetermination (Loudermill) hearings and understanding the principles of due process; the importance of treating employees fairly & consistently; the roles of the supervisor/manager, HR, and legal in the disciplinary process; and the keys to avoiding liability when imposing disciplinary action. The principles taught (if followed) will increase the odds of avoiding disciplinary appeals and winning if appealed.

Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AthlhFgUSN6V6DPo3fJVkw

 

 

Apr
22
Tue
2025
16 Hour Verbal De-Escalation @ PSPG Albq. Office, 8341 Washington St. NE, Albq., NM
Apr 22 @ 8:00 am – Apr 23 @ 5:00 pm

Description

This 16-hour training teaches students verbal de-escalation skills that apply psychology to aid highly agitated person in bringing their emotions under control.  This training is intended for Detention Staff and Sheriff’s Deputies.  Course is free to NMC Law Enforcement Insurance Pool Members.  Non-members can inquire about attending (pending availability) for a fee.  See attached flyer for more details. This course meets the annual NMLEA requirement.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/16-Hr-De-Escalation-Albuq-April-2025-1.pdf

RSVP

 

May
8
Thu
2025
BASIC Peer Support Training for First Responders (2 day) @ PSPG, 8341 Washington St. NE., Albq., NM
May 8 @ 8:00 am – May 9 @ 5:00 pm

Description

This four-day course is designed to be interactive with live scenario situations.  It is focused on teaching public safety personnel the art of peer support. Participants will gain crucial knowledge about communication skills and techniques that are effective in supportively working with people to gain a mutually beneficial outcome.  Participants will also learn to address people in crisis in a manner that reduces tension and the possibility for physical injury to anyone involved. This course is accredited by the NMLEA.  See attached flyer for more details.

https://www.nmcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Basic-Peer-Support-May-Albq.-2025.pdf

RSVP

 

Employment Opportunities