Clearinghouse CDFI has provided a $550,000 refinance loan for a multi-family affordable housing property in Clovis, New Mexico. Clearinghouse CDFI is a direct lender financing projects that create jobs and services to help people live, work, dream, grow, and thrive in healthy communities.
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NMSBA Program Improves Production
FreshPure Waters was founded to replace single-use plastic water bottles by providing consumers with a more eco-friendly refillable bulk water option. Its system specializes in high-pH alkaline, reverse osmosis, and deionized water, all in one machine. However, the rapidly growing demand for its purified water systems outpaced its production capabilities.
FreshPure Waters applied for assistance through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program, a unique opportunity that brings the technology and expertise of New Mexico’s national laboratories and their partners to solve problems that inhibit business growth.
The NMSBA Program paired FreshPure Waters with Wesley Eccles and Jeff Abrams, directors at New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP), to lead the initiative to optimize production, improve system maintenance, and expand market reach.
Continue readingFood Businesses Can Get Up to $100,000
Food businesses can get up to $100,000 in funding from the New Mexico Healthy Food Financing Fund. Applications will be accepted for Fiscal Year 2026 grant awards until the end of the day on November 19, 2025. Food retailers, producers, processors, distributors, and others in the food industry are encouraged to apply.
Continue readingHow to Manage a Nonprofit
Nonprofit organizations have the same challenges as for-profit businesses – they must address everything from sales to human resources as they deliver on their mission. Unfortunately, good intentions and a solid mission aren’t enough to build a sustainable organization, no matter how worthy the cause.
Continue readingB:Side Lenders and Lunch
B:Side Fund and Capital want to help small business owners access capital to grow their business. The nonprofit lender will lead an interactive session at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce on October 8, 2025.
Continue readingGrants for Black-Owned Businesses
The Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico is offering grants to support for-profit and nonprofit/tax-exempt businesses and organizations that are registered and operating within the Albuquerque city limits, and are members of the Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico.
Continue readingResilience and Credit Support Native Owned Business

Small businesses in rural and tribal communities often lack access to affordable credit—especially during health or economic crises—putting their survival at risk. Resilience and credit from the nonprofit lender RCAC helped Native American-owned Earth & Sky Floral Designs get back to business after a health setback.
Earth & Sky Floral Designs and Gallery, LLC is a 100% Native American woman-owned business located on the Pueblo of Laguna reservation. Owned by Shayai Lucero of the Acoma and Laguna Pueblos, the business provides full-service floral arrangements for weddings, funerals, birthdays, holidays and local ceremonies. Shayai operates the shop from a renovated lodge on her property and employs seasonal part-time help during peak times like Mother’s Day and graduations.
In 2023, Shayai faced a series of severe health setbacks—including a COVID-19 infection, complications and hospitalization—that forced her to close the business for seven weeks. Without incoming revenue and facing more than $49,000 in medical bills, the future of Earth & Sky Floral Designs was in jeopardy. But it quickly became clear the shop played a vital role in the life of the community. Shayai’s customers rallied behind her, affirming that the business was essential—not just as a service provider, but as a trusted part of local traditions.
Continue readingResources for Manufacturers
Resources, inspiration, and advice are on tap during Manufacturing Day activities in October. Manufacturing Day is an annual, month-long celebration that kicks off the first Friday of October. This year’s New Mexico kick-off event is a virtual panel discussion that offers the first-hand experiences of Four Corners area manufacturers on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Continue readingPitch and Match
Startups Pitch & Match is a fun and energizing event that connects New Mexico’s startups with the people who can help them grow. Sponsored by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, the half-day event takes place at Q Station in Albuquerque on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Continue readingWhat are the 5 Cs of Credit?
Owners looking for a loan for their small business should be familiar with the 5 Cs of Credit. Character, capital, collateral, capacity, and conditions determine if a traditional lender will offer a loan to a business owner. New and aspiring business owners can learn about the 5 Cs of Credit on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in a workshop hosted by the nonprofit lender WESST.
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