New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) Acting Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper announced that 11 organizations and local governments have been awarded grants from the LEADS program to further economic capacity across the state and create jobs.
The Local Economic Assistance and Development Support (LEADS) initiative, targeted to local governments and qualified economic development organizations, offers state support to economic development projects that produce sustainable outcomes. Projects are awarded $5,000 to $25,000 per year and funded through a cost-reimbursement contract. EDD reimburses the applicant for work performed and/or costs incurred, up to the total amount specified in the grant. Reimbursements are made upon completion of the project and submittal of a project report.
“The projects this year reflect EDD’s strong and continuing partnership with our economic development partners across the state. The funds will support new initiatives, such as a commercial kitchen and creative industries, and assist with important site-readiness efforts and capacity building as local communities work toward more robust and sustainable economies,” Secretary Roper said.
EDD has awarded fiscal year 2025 LEADS awards to the following projects:
Clovis Economic Development (CED) $25,000
CED plans to have its basic database system customized to be more dynamic to enable staff to keep up with the demands of their growing organization. They plan to hire a consultant to create a comprehensive platform in Salesforce, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of nonprofit organizations.
City of Farmington $25,000
The city is creating an Industrial Park Master Plan to identify and quantify community needs and create a clear path forward for development. The plan will help bring city assets to the forefront and attract commercial and industrial users to the community.
Four Corners Economic Development (4CED) $25,000
The project will provide funding to develop engineering plans for a 50,000-square-foot spec building. The plans will include the design for utilities that can be matched for one or two potential clients, allowing the space to be divided if needed, and will include an expandable wall for additional space to be added to the building. This concept of flexibility of space and expansion gives the maximum utility for the first spec building to be built in San Juan County.
Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC) $25,000
FY25 Business, Retention, and Expansion (BRE) surveys will be collected from senior management of each BRE partner (12+). GGEDC will meet primarily with 1-2 companies that have identified expansion plans and/or specific infrastructure needs to develop strategies and action plans. Wherever possible, the strategies and action plans will seek to engage the partners in supporting the development of a regional Gallup-McKinley inland port, the subject of 2 GGEDC Roundtables under the FY24 LEADS grant.
Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA) $25,000
MVEDA will expand its “AutomateUp” skillset development and industry certification initiative to reach a larger audience of users to include both existing employees in the region and industry certifications for college and high school students pursuing technology-driven careers important in New Mexico. The program will also expand industry certification to a wider range of industries.
Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association (MRGEDA) $14,720
MRGEDA’s final phase, phase three, will continue to transform the Socorro Regional Commercial Kitchen into a true regional asset. Additional funding will facilitate the remaining equipment upgrades necessary for the kitchen's full functionality.
Questa Economic Development Fund (QEDF) $23,000
A student intern will be hired as the program coordinator to conduct business surveys and in-person visitation with community leaders to businesses of all sizes and market types. A final Questa BRE Findings Report will be compiled, detailing the collected data, identifying challenges and opportunities, and citing recommended solutions and strategic next steps to stimulate economic growth and expansion of existing businesses and jobs in the local area.
Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation (RCCEDC) $25,000
RCCEDC intends to develop an additional shovel-ready site in Chaves County at a 30-acre greenfield site owned by the City of Roswell. Throughout FY 2025, they will conduct a commercial land appraisal, environmental site assessment (phase 1), geotechnical/soil study, and archaeological/historical use study.
Sandoval Economic Alliance (SEA) $25,000
SEA's "Grow Your Own" initiative fosters a robust economic ecosystem in Sandoval County through three key programs:
BRE Program: focused on sustaining and expanding existing economic-base businesses, offering targeted assistance and access to resources. Other items reviewed include workforce, incentives, and regulatory challenges.
Micro-Economic Gardening Program: supports entrepreneurs and small businesses with a focus on SEA’s targeted industry categories.
Manufacturing Local Connections Program: provides a mechanism for economic-base businesses to connect and discuss common challenges, best practices, and available programs that can assist in their operations. These efforts enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing, and access to critical resources.
SEA also plans to acquire a custom database to maintain and report on program activities and outcomes. This database will track economic development project information and provide the ability to quickly generate activity reports.
Taos County $21,800
Taos County will utilize a LOR Foundation-funded intern to create a program plan, activate newly created tools and protocols, launch a phased BRE program beginning with the creative industries, and engage the 59 creatives recently trained in business development skills through inaugural EDD Creative Industries Division funding. This project seeks to launch phased BRE services by building off Creative Industries Division support. Phase 2 will include visitations with businesses across the Creative Economy and with workshop participants and include a juried exhibition.
Town of Taos $25,000
The Town of Taos will develop the program for the Business Resource & Innovation Center (BRIC) and decide how to best utilize approximately 14,000 gross square feet at 115 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos. BRIC is a cooperative partnership of local government, businesses, employment development, education, training, and public and nonprofit organizations, committed to developing job skills and attitudes essential for participation in today's workplace.