“We've got to tighten our belt, we've got to make government more efficient,” said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in September when visiting Las Cruces.

This year, New Mexico's legislature had to decide how they would fix a $650 million budget deficit. In 2010, state departments will see less money and furloughs, but something that will be sure to help the Land of Enchantment and Las Cruces economically will be Spaceport America, the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, which is being built just 45 miles north of Las Cruces.

“A little more than one year away we're going to have basically the version 1 spaceport ready for operation,” said Spaceport America executive director Steve Landeene in October.

Then you had a new rule in 2009 with red light traffic cams being set up in some of Las Cruces’ busiest intersections, and in 2010 a new law will prohibit cell phone use while driving unless using a head set.

And there will be a new face in with New Mexico State University’s new president Barbara Couture. However, the city will also see a couple of faces a little less come this new year. Las Cruces Police chief Harry Romero and Las Cruces Fire Department Chief Adolf Zubia both retired toward the end of the year. That’s over 60 years of combined experience gone.

“I think serving the citizens of the community has been the most memorable,” said Romero.