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Newberry Springs Economic Development Association

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  • Home Business Spotlight: How One Newberry Resident Built the High Desert’s Digital Swapmeet

    For years, the Newberry Springs Economic Development Association (NSEDA) have highlighted a recurring dream: a dedicated local marketplace where neighbors can buy, sell, and trade without the noise and high fees of big-box platforms.

    As it turns out, we didn’t need to look far. Newberry resident Heng Ung has already built it. His platform, HighDesert365.com, is a home-grown online classifieds and marketplace designed specifically for our region.

    More Than Just a Website

    HighDesert365 isn’t just another Craigslist clone; it’s a digital extension of the community spirit seen at local swapmeets and farmers’ markets. From farm-fresh eggs and local produce to professional services and yard sale finds, the site provides a structured space for the High Desert to conduct business at home.

    “I wanted to create something that felt like our community,” says Heng Ung. “Traditional social media marketplaces are often disorganized or filled with scams. HighDesert365 was developed right here in Newberry to give our neighbors a reliable, community-focused alternative for local trade.”

    A Digital Farmers Market for Local Producers

    For Newberry’s small farms and home-based artisans, the “barrier to entry” for selling online can be steep. HighDesert365 aims to lower that wall. By focusing on a “neighbors-selling-to-neighbors” model, it allows local producers to advertise their harvest or crafts directly to those within driving distance.

    “We have so much talent and production happening behind the fences in Newberry Springs,” Heng notes. “Whether you are a hobbyist selling handmade soaps or a farmer with a seasonal surplus, this platform acts as a digital farmers market that stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

    Why “Local” Matters in the Digital Age

    While the internet allows us to buy from anywhere, it often disconnects us from our own backyard. Heng’s vision for HighDesert365 is to revitalize the local “circular economy”—keeping Newberry dollars in the High Desert.

    “There is a unique level of trust when you know you are dealing with a neighbor,” says Heng. “When you see a listing on HighDesert365, there’s a high probability you’re looking at products from someone you might see at the post office or the local diner. It’s about restoring that community-based commerce that our town has always valued.”

    Supporting the NSEDA Mission

    By utilizing existing local tools like HighDesert365, the NSEDA can focus on what it does best: promoting the people and businesses that make Newberry Springs unique. Supporting entrepreneurs like Heng is a direct investment in the technical sovereignty and economic independence of our community.

    How to Get Involved

    Residents are encouraged to visit HighDesert365.com to browse current listings or create a free account to start advertising their own goods and services.

  • Advancing Local Business: The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce

    Advancing Local Business: The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce

    The Newberry Springs Chamber of Commerce is the dedicated voice for the local business community. From legacy agricultural operations to the growing hospitality sector along Route 66, the Chamber provides the networking and promotional infrastructure necessary for desert-based businesses to thrive.

    The Chamber’s mission is to encourage a strong local economy by promoting Newberry Springs as a destination for travelers and a stable home for enterprise. Through their annual events and business directory, they ensure that local operators have a platform to reach both residents and the thousands of people passing through our corridors daily.

    Business Resources:

    • Website: newberryspringschamber.com
    • Focus: Business promotion, community events, and economic advocacy.
    • Join: Membership information is available for local vendors, home businesses, and organizations.
  • Supporting the Backbone: Mojave Trails Outreach & Food Pantry

    Supporting the Backbone: Mojave Trails Outreach & Food Pantry

    For residents in the Silver Valley, Mojave Trails Outreach & Food Pantry (MTOFP) is more than just a resource—it is a vital community safety net. Operating out of Newberry Springs, MTOFP focuses on direct food distribution and outreach services to low-income families, seniors, and veterans across our rural landscape.

    The logistics of running a food pantry in the high desert are significant, requiring a dedicated volunteer base and consistent community support. MTOFP serves as a primary example of how localized leadership can address immediate human needs that larger, city-based organizations often overlook. NSEDA supports MTOFP’s mission as a pillar of community stability.

    Fast Facts:

    • Website: mtofp.org
    • Mission: Food security and community outreach for the Silver Valley.
    • How to Help: Donations and volunteer opportunities are available directly through their portal.
  • Growing the Oasis: How Newberry Can Expand Its Hospitality Sector

    Growing the Oasis: How Newberry Can Expand Its Hospitality Sector

    As tourism on Route 66 grows, so does the demand for unique lodging. Newberry Springs is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the “Boutique Stay” trend. By utilizing the NSEDA Tourist’s Guide, local property owners can see where the gaps in our current hospitality sector lie.

    From converted vintage trailers to quiet desert retreats, there is immense room for growth in our short-term rental market. The NSEDA is here to help residents navigate the regulations of launching a hospitality business, ensuring that as we grow, we maintain the quiet, rural quality of life that makes Newberry Springs so special in the first place.

  • Service Industry Tips: Turning “Pass-Throughs” into Customers

    Service Industry Tips: Turning “Pass-Throughs” into Customers

    With the I-40 and Route 66 running through our backyard, Newberry Springs has a “captive audience” of thousands. The key to growing our hospitality sector is shifting the tourist’s mindset from “driving through” to “stopping in.”

    NSEDA Tip: High-visibility signage and “Instagrammable” moments are key. Tourists today are looking for unique, authentic desert experiences. Whether you run a cafe, a shop, or a roadside stand, simple upgrades—like a dedicated Route 66 photo spot or a “Local Guide” pamphlet—can drastically increase your foot traffic and average spend per customer.

  • Going Green: The Annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival

    Going Green: The Annual Newberry Springs Pistachio Festival

    Every year, the Pistachio Festival transforms Newberry Springs into a bustling hub of agriculture and art. Celebrating one of our most successful local crops, the festival is a vital economic driver for our small businesses and artisans.

    The NSEDA booth will be front and center, providing resources for local growers and information for visitors interested in our rural preservation efforts. From pistachio-themed treats to handmade crafts, this festival is the ultimate showcase of Newberry’s talent. It’s the perfect time for visitors to see what makes our community “The Oasis of the Mojave.”

  • Red, White, and Newberry: Celebrating the 250th Independence Day

    Red, White, and Newberry: Celebrating the 250th Independence Day

    This July 3rd, Newberry Springs is going big for the 250th Independence Day. As the nation looks back at two and a half centuries of freedom, our community will be gathering to celebrate our shared heritage.

    The NSEDA will have a featured booth at the festivities. We invite all residents and visitors to stop by, meet the Board, and see a live demo of the Newberry Springs Business Portal. Whether you’re here for the fireworks or the food, make sure to visit us to learn how we are working to ensure the next 250 years of Newberry Springs are prosperous and preserved.

  • The Orcutt Legacy: Preserving the House that Named a Town

    The Orcutt Legacy: Preserving the House that Named a Town

    If you’ve driven past the historic Orcutt House, you’re looking at the birthplace of Newberry Springs’ modern identity. In the 1960s, it was Mrs. Orcutt who spearheaded the petition to change our name from “Newberry” to “Newberry Springs,” forever linking our town to its most precious resource.

    The house and its distinctive driveway are more than just architecture; they represent the civic pride that built this community. Preserving these “Hotspots” is a primary mission for the NSEDA. By honoring the Orcutt legacy, we provide visitors with a narrative of Newberry Springs that goes deeper than the pavement of Route 66—we show them a story of determination and community spirit.

  • Hollywood in the High Desert: The Global Legacy of the Bagdad Cafe

    Hollywood in the High Desert: The Global Legacy of the Bagdad Cafe

    Long before it was a cult-classic film location, the site of the Bagdad Cafe was a vital rest stop for travelers braving the Mojave. Today, it stands as arguably the most famous landmark in Newberry Springs, drawing a constant stream of international tourists from France, Germany, and Japan.

    For Newberry Springs, the Bagdad Cafe isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a cultural anchor. It proves that our community has “Global Brand Recognition.” As we approach the centennial of Route 66, the Bagdad Cafe serves as the perfect example of how local history can be preserved while fueling a modern tourism economy. It is a reminder that in the desert, a warm welcome and a cold drink are timeless commodities.

  • Innovator Spotlight: How SilverHost.net Utilizes the NSEDA Partner Ecosystem

    Innovator Spotlight: How SilverHost.net Utilizes the NSEDA Partner Ecosystem

    Every great system needs a “Client Zero,” and for the NSEDA Business Portal, that is SilverHost.net. As a hosting and technical consulting firm, SilverHost deals with sensitive data and complex project timelines daily. By integrating his operations into the NSEDA portal, Bradley Forschner has turned the Association into a silent partner in his success.

    “With the Business Portal, Secure Vault, and Support Center, I know that my information is confidential,” says Bradley. By using the integrated Project Management tools, SilverHost can coordinate with local leadership and other entities in a structured, professional environment. It’s important to note that this portal doesn’t replace a business’s existing email or cloud services; instead, it provides a specialized relationship with NSEDA to facilitate expansion and stability.

    The SilverHost Model:

    • Secure Collaboration: Utilizing the Secure Vault for confidential technical blueprints and contracts.
    • Streamlined Growth: Using the Support Center to navigate regional opportunities and administrative milestones.
    • A Rising Tide: Demonstrating how one business’s growth contributes to the economic health of the entire Newberry Springs community.