New Mexico’s New Area Code And Its Impact On Business

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Las Cruces will undergo a major change this weekend when a new southern New Mexico area code debuts.

On Sunday, most of New Mexico will change from 505 to 575. For some, it’s just another set of numbers to memorize. But to business owners, the new change means spending more money.

“I’m still giving people the old area code right now. So it will be a couple of years getting used to it,” said one resident. Las Crucenssaid the change from area code 505 to 575 is just another inconvenience. The switch means reminding friends and family calling from out of the area code to dial the new number, and remembering to dial out themselves.

But for Robert Davenport, the change means money. “You spend the money on nice business cards and then they change the area code. Then you have to go back and reprint everything-redo some of your commercials,” the Las Cruces Jewlery store owner said. He will now have to spend an extra $1,500 dollars in advertsing with the new 575 area code.

“It’s very frustrating because we’re trying to make ends meet as is,” Davenport said. As a small business owner, advertising can be the difference in making it or not. He says he has no choice but to go along with the change.

“[Customers] are going to be calling a 505 number and they’re not going to get me,” Davenport added. There will be a one year grace period where callers can either use 505 or 575. Davenport says he is spending money on the advertising now anyway.