Twelve projects spanning eleven New Mexico counties will receive a share of over $263,000 in economic development grants to create jobs, support local businesses and strengthen both rural and urban communities.
State support incentivizes business development in 11 New Mexico counties
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 23, 2026
SANTA FE — Twelve projects spanning eleven New Mexico counties will receive a share of over $263,000 in economic development grants to create jobs, support local businesses and strengthen both rural and urban communities.
Through the Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) program, Economic Development New Mexico awards annual grants for projects that create jobs, enhance the tax base and incentivize business development.
“LEADS Grants offer us a unique opportunity to invest directly into communities, large and small,” said Economic Development Secretary Rob Black. “These projects lead to real, tangible improvements that strengthen local businesses, attract new employers and enhance the experience of residents and visitors alike.”
The grants will fund programs across seven rural and frontier communities and five urban areas in the following categories: retention and expansion, technology, entrepreneurship, startup growth, workforce development, real estate development and business attraction. Awards range from $19,500 to $25,000 each.
“The LEADS grant will accelerate the growth of our local farmers’ market and the community as a whole,” said Jodi Diaz, executive director, RCCDC. “This investment allows the RCCDC to move forward with expansions and much-needed improvements, creating an even better space to support local vendors and bring people together.”
“The LEADS award allows Nambé Pueblo Development Corporation to activate a long-vacant industrial building as the first commercial home of a deep-tech company graduating from LANL’s entrepreneurship fellowship,” said Kristen Thomson, Nambe Pueblo Development Corporation executive director. “It’s proof that Pueblo land is where world-class research becomes New Mexico industry.”
“The LEADS Grant was the catalyst that transformed our site readiness vision into real, measurable impact,” said Mike Espiritu, president and CEO, Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation. “By preparing land to a true shovel-ready standard, we positioned Roswell to attract Amazon and Equipment-Share — projects that delivered millions in capital investment and created high-quality jobs that strengthen our region’s economic future.”
The awarded projects for fiscal year 2027 are:
Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (Bernalillo County) — The project will develop site advancement packages to enhance business attraction and economic competitiveness. Key activities include research, workforce analysis, infrastructure assessments and funding gap identification.
Aztec Chamber of Commerce (San Juan County) — The chamber will launch a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program and hire a contractor to survey local businesses, conduct one-on-one visits for insights and produce a report on their needs, barriers and growth opportunities.
Cibola County Economic Development Foundation (Cibola County) — They will conduct a feasibility study and develop a plan for a Regional Workforce Innovation Hub & Entrepreneurship Center in Grants, assessing viability, workforce alignment, facility needs and economic opportunities.
Greater Gallup EDC (McKinley) — The project enhances business attraction and industrial development in Gallup-McKinley County through an integrated BRE, focusing on advanced manufacturing, energy, logistics and recycling. It includes outreach, site selection and partner engagement to support the TradePort Master Plan.
Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce (Los Alamos County) — The Subsidized Marketing Program: Hands-On Guided Marketing Strategies Assistance for Small Businesses provides direct marketing expertise to help businesses implement specific marketing tasks, process learning and possible AI use for content creation.
Mesilla Valley Economic Dev. Corp. (Doña Ana County) — The project enhances the “AutomateUp” initiative by expanding skillset development and industry certifications for employees, career-advancing individuals and students. It targets key industries in the NMBorderplex region, particularly advanced manufacturing and high-tech trades, while offering flexible learning paths like pre-apprenticeships.
Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association (Socorro County) — The organization will purchase and install retail furniture and equipment to create a welcoming environment. It will also include branding and marketing efforts to promote the storefront and participating businesses.
Nambe Pueblo Development Corp. (Santa Fe County) — The project will fulfill the final requirement for manufacturing occupancy standards for the warehouse and attached office space. A contractor will deliver design, permitting, installation, testing and commissioning of a code-compliant fire alarm system to return the manufacturing facility to active commercial use.
Roosevelt County Community Development Corp (Roosevelt County) — This project will enhance the Portales farmers market with new lighting, tables and benches to improve safety and aesthetics, creating a welcoming environment for vendors and visitors while boosting attendance and local economic activity.
Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corp. (Chaves County) — The RCCEDC, in partnership with the City of Roswell, will develop a shovel-ready site in Chaves County during FY 2027. This project includes a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and a geotechnical study to prepare the site for commercial or industrial development, which will be submitted to EDNM’s site-readiness program.
Sandoval Economic Alliance (Sandoval County) — The “Sandoval Workforce” pillar creates a centralized database to connect companies in aerospace, biotech and defense with educational institutions, ensuring training matches real-time demand. The Sandoval Tribal Site Readiness Partnership offers services to the ten Pueblos and two Tribal Nations to identify infrastructure gaps and prepare tribal lands for investment.
City of Santa Fe (Santa Fe County) — The project aims to create a governance and engagement framework for the city’s Go Local Go Different initiative, enhancing coordination and economic activity in commercial corridors and business districts. A contractor will assist with stakeholder engagement and implementation planning, delivering a framework, sustainability recommendations and an implementation roadmap.
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Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation (CCEDF) supports economic activities throughout the region. The Grants Farmers Market provides a welcoming space for local entrepreneurs to showcase homemade products while strengthening community connections and supporting small business growth.
A rendering of partial improvements to the Portales Farmer’s Market. Roosevelt County Community Development Corporation will use funding to add shade structures and seating areas.
McKinley Paper & Packaging Company (MPPC – foreground) and decommissioned Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association’s Escalante Generating Station (EGS – background). MPPC received a $5 million LEDA grant after the closure of EGS to address the loss of resources that the company managed and supplied to the paper mill. Greater Gallup EDC will use funding to assist MPPC in becoming a key stakeholder in the development of the Prewitt Industrial Cluster in Prewitt, NM.