Tourism department OKs second out-of-state bid

Alamogordo Daily News - The New Mexico Department of Tourism, under fire a few months ago for hiring an out-of-state company to produce commercials, is drawing more criticism for outsourcing another contract. KRQE-TV reports that the department recently paid $180,000 to a Missouri-based company, MMGY, to redesign its decade-old website. In January, the agency drew fire after announcing it awarded $2 million to a Texas-based production house to shoot the commercials as part of its "New Mexico True" campaign. Veronica Valencia, communications and marketing director for the department, said the Missouri company scored the highest during the request for proposals, beating out the 11 other companies including five from New Mexico..

Rep. Brian Egolf, a Santa Fe Democrat, said local firms should always come first. Read More News New Mexico

Tourism department OKs second out-of-state bid