By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels
Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 4/12/20
On Friday, April 3, 2020, Las Cruces City Council approved a $1.1 million economic relief measure due to the Coronavirus pandemic. One hundred and twenty-five thousand ($125,000) of the relief funding is going to Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) to financially assist customers who have fallen behind on their payments or are about to. What’s new with the extra financial aid is LCU for the first time can help not only residents, but also commercial customers.
“Our original assistance budget of $100,000 will be exhausted at the end of the fiscal year, on June 30th,” said Jose Provencio, LCU deputy director Business Services. “This additional injection of funding allows us to help not only residents, but also businesses. This will alleviate some of their stress and make sure they can get help paying their City utility bill.”
“Driving down our streets you can see businesses adapting by offering curbside pickup or delivery,” said Provencio. “We want to help businesses in need now due to the measures to halt the spread of Coronavirus.”
He explained the process will be new and LCU representatives will work with businesses one-on-one and line up the assistance needed. “The businesses that are suffering right now are the ones that bring us together,” Provencio said. “They need us all to come together to help them in different ways and LCU is going to help be part of that through this extra funding.”
If you’re a residential customer or a business owner who is looking for help with a utility bill – call Customer Central at 575-541-2111. Local LCU representatives will assess your needs and find the best option for your business. Let’s get through this crisis together so we can come out stronger on the other end. LCU wants to work with customers, especially during these trying times; a simple phone call starts the process.
You can reach Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
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PHOTO 1: Tyrell Thacker, co-owner of Beck’s Coffee, uses social media and a sign on the door to let customers know they will deliver coffee to your door during the COVID-19 crisis. Businesses needing help to pay utility bills: call Customer Central at 575-541-2111