State of New Mexico Commission for the Blind

Employment Development Center

The Employment Development Center (EDC) was established as a manufacturing business nearly 60 years ago. It was previously known as the Industries for the Blind. The EDC marketed top quality products made by blind people and sold to governments, private companies and organizations. Over the years, the EDC produced brooms, mops, and mats, and in more recent years made canvas tote bags, laundry bags, suede paperweights, coasters and placemats. The lifting of restrictions on textile imports and the resulting increase of inexpensive foreign imports adversely impacted EDC sales. After a several-year process during which employees were assisted to find other employment, the EDC discontinued production in 2008.

"Commission Helps Support National Defense"

The Commission operates the switchboard at Holloman Air Force Base. The switchboard operation employed fourteen people this year, a majority of whom were blind. The operators route incoming calls for the entire base. The switchboard operation receives excellent ratings on the quality of customer service that is provided.

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