The City of Roswell is a vibrant community of about 48,000 and numbering over 66,000 in greater Chaves County. While known internationally for the 1947 UFO incident, the community is also an impressive participant in New Mexico’s aviation economy.
Roswell has a proud and enduring heritage in aerospace and aviation. Robert Goddard—considered the father of modern rocket propulsion—conducted experimentation with liquid fueled rockets in Roswell in the 1930-40s. The Roswell Air Center (RAC) is the site of the former Walker Air Force Base. Being an original base of Strategic Air Command (SAC), the existing infrastructure is conducive to maintenance, 24/7 operations, and aircraft storage. Roswell’s high altitude, 310 days of sunshine per year, and extremely low weather volatility make for ideal flying conditions.
Today, RAC is home to four maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, major airlines, and several manufacturing activities. The air center’s footprint is a 5,000-acre complex in a designated Opportunity Zone. It has a 13,000’ primary runway, 10,000’ crosswind runway, active rail spurs, and shovel-ready sites to include a ~2,000-acre Megasite in development. American Airlines operates three direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) daily.
Roswell has been longtime host of the annual UFO Festival, the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, the Dragonfly Festival, and most recently, the National Championship Air Races! In May 2024, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced that Roswell will be the new host of the contest known as “The World’s Fastest Motorsport.” The races are a 10-day contest structured around seven different classes of air racing. The races are expected to attract more than 70,000 visitors each year and generate an economic impact of over $100 million. In between the races, spectators will enjoy world-class military and civilian air show performers along with static displays of military and historical aircraft. The event is moving to Roswell starting in September 2025 after being in Reno, Nevada since 1964.
Our low cost of living, low property tax rates, and terrific weather make Roswell a great place to call home and to conduct business. Find out what opportunities Roswell might have for you! For more information, check out www.chavescounty.net, or contact the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation (RCCEDC) at 575-622-1975 or info@chavescounty.net.