Nov. 28, 2006 Business Digest

DOT seeks proposals for Clovis air service

The U.S. Department of Transportation will request a new proposal for air service to Clovis and Silver City, according to a news release from U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.

The request is being made under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program that provides subsidies to airlines so that smaller, more rural communities can be connected to major hubs, the release reads.

Clovis and Silver City are served by Great Lakes Airlines, which operates two daily roundtrips to Albuquerque on 19-passenger Beech 1900-D airplanes, according to the release. Great Lakes receives an annual subsidy of $1.71 million for existing service to Clovis and Silver City, the release reads.

DOT is seeking proposals for a two-year contract beginning May 1 for air service to Clovis and Silver City from a hub city. The agency will review proposals and select the best one based on such factors as the amount of subsidy requested, level of service and community input, according to the Domenici release.

City hosts program on dairy cow hoof care

Clovis hosts a program this week on dairy cow hoof care with the country’s leading veterinarian on the subject, according to one of the program organizers.

Dr. Jan Shearer, a University of Florida professor, speaks this morning at Clovis Community College in a public lecture about the impact of hoof care on dairy cow wellness.

The lecture kicks off the master hoof care technician program sponsored by Zinpro Corp. and the New Mexico State University dairy extension program, according to Dr. Victor Cabrera, extension dairy specialist at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center in Clovis.

Cabrera said all 10 spots are filled for the technical program, which will be repeated in a few months. Attendees will have the opportunity for personalized instruction at Southern Draw Dairy, owned by Ron Schaap, Cabrera said.

The public lecture is 8:30 a.m. to noon today in room 103, followed by lunch.

For information, contact Cabrera at 985-2292, ext. 127, or visit www.dairy.nmsu.edu.

Business Digest is compiled by CNJ News Editor Jean Verlich. She may be contacted at 763-6991, or by e-mail:

jean_verlich@link.freedom.com