The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced that it approved funding for up to $2.4M to assist companies in hiring and training New Mexico employees. The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) approved this monthly allotment to nine New Mexico companies.
The JTIP board meets monthly to review applications from New Mexico companies hoping to train new employees or upskill incumbent employees through the Step Up program. The state offers reimbursements of 50% or more, with higher percentages for trainees who are recent New Mexico State higher education graduates, veterans, rural or frontier located, and other criteria.
“This month, three of the nine companies are receiving JTIP support for the first time, EDD Acting Cabinet Secretary Mark Roper said. “This participation furthers our mission to support communities with new job growth and help New Mexico businesses thrive.”
The nine companies receiving JTIP and JTIP Step Up awards this month are located in Albuquerque, Clovis, Roswell, Santa Fe, and White Rock. They are:
Aliya’s Foods USA, Inc. (dba Aliya’s Limited Food), Albuquerque, 51 trainees at an average wage of $19.46. Total award amount: $243,540. This is the first JTIP application for Aliya’s Foods. Aliya’s Foods is a family-owned and operated food manufacturing company specializing in boldly flavored, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals.
BiltWise Structures of New Mexico LLC, Roswell, 103 trainees at an average wage of $22.05. Total award: $1,216,412. This is the company’s first JTIP application. Biltwise Structures is teaming up with Turnkey Ventures to open a modular home manufacturing center inside a vacant building at the Roswell Air Center. The modular homes will be constructed in an environmentally controlled factory setting.
Century Sign Builders (CSB), Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $27.75. Total award: $29,590. CSB designs, manufactures, and installs interior and exterior signage nationwide. They are one of the few companies that handles signage from design through installation and guarantees its work for the life of the building.
General Airframe Support, Inc., Roswell, 32 trainees at an average wage of $18.04. Total award: $321,226. General Airframe Support is an Aviation Supplier Association (ASA) accredited distributor of aircraft parts and accredited by the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) in the disassembly and recycling of aircraft. The company offers comprehensive disassembly and reclamation services, from basic component removal to complete teardown and disposal of aircraft.
Mega Corp, Inc., Albuquerque, 15 trainees through Step Up. Total award: $22,226. Though this is Mega Corp’s ninth JTIP award, it is their first request for Step Up funds – showing that they are not only hiring, but also promoting from within. Mega Corp is a leading producer of specialty haulage equipment for the construction industry.
Orenda Farms, LLC, Clovis, 6 trainees at an average wage of $17.41. Total award: $56,108. Orenda Farms is a minority- and women-owned enterprise specializing in cannabis cultivation. The indoor state-of-the-art facility allows them to grow 1,496 plants.
Reflective Images Designs LLC (dba Reflective Jewelry), Santa Fe, 2 trainees at an average wage of $25.50. Total award: $25,730. This is the company's first JTIP application. Reflective Jewelry has a well-equipped manufacturing facility housing a wide variety of tools and machinery. Rooted in a Southwestern design, they also produce modern CAD/CAM designs.
Payfave, Inc. (dba Wink), Albuquerque, 8 trainees at an average wage of $55.22. Total award: $254,414. Wink’s mission is to redefine authentication with biometrics and eliminate the reliance on passwords. With a focus on creating highly secure and seamless interactions between businesses and individuals on any device, Wink is revolutionizing the way identity is verified and transactions occur.
Spiritus Technologies PBC, White Rock, 11 trainees at an average wage of $46.14. Total award: $235,580. Spiritus is a climate technology company at the forefront of Direct-Air-Capture (DAC) technology. The company is partnering with industry leaders in CO2 compression and handling as well as former oil and gas experts for land use, well permitting, and drilling.