The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The program aims to incentivize workforce diversity by offering up to $2,400 in tax credit to any employer that hires an individual identified as being a member of one of 10 targeted groups.
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Community Advantage Loan Helps Arborists Scale to Meet Demand
Eric’s Tree Care is deeply rooted in a love for all things nature. The Albuquerque-based landscaping and arborist service has been in business since 1997. And as its reputation has grown over the years, so has the range of services and scale of jobs its team of tight-knit arborists can tackle.
When Eric’s Tree Care needed a larger loan to support the next chapter in the business’ development, they turned to DreamSpring for capital through the Community Advantage program. A loan from DreamSpring ensured Eric’s Tree Care had the tools they needed to succeed and the capacity to keep scaling to meet customer demand.
Today, the Eric’s Tree Care team provides complete care from root to tree-top. They specialize in tree management advice; careful pruning and root work; removal and stump grinding; and planting services. They’re also skilled in adding structural supports to trees — a technical feat where cabling or customized bracing is used to increase safety and extend the lifespan of a tree for years to come. Estimates are always free.
Continue readingPaid Sick Leave Law Starts July 1
New Mexico’s Healthy Workplaces Act takes effect on July 1, 2022, and the Department of Workforce Solutions is offering webinars to help businesses that employ workers comply with the law. Webinar participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of DWS subject matter experts.
Continue readingConstruction Businesses Get Free Advice from Homewise
The nonprofit organization Homewise, known for supporting homeownership and communities, is offering up to $850 of business consultation services for free to businesses in the construction industry. The program, dubbed Buildwise, offers individual consulting and networking events with industry peers and experts to help contractors and construction businesses develop the skills and resources needed to build a successful business.
Continue readingMicroloan Program Fills Lending Gap
The U.S. Small Business Administration partners with nonprofit lenders to help businesses access small infusions of cash for working capital and expenses related to inventory, supplies, equipment, furniture, and fixtures. The SBA Microloan Program aims to help small businesses that are unable to access capital from traditional sources. The average loan size is $13,000.
Continue readingNorthwest NM Council of Governments
Economic development organizations recruit new businesses and support existing businesses through relationships and programs that accelerate individual business growth. ED organizations help with site selection, financial incentives and connections to region-specific resources.
Continue readingLoan Gives New Life to Las Cruces Cafe
Melissa Salazar was a manager at a Las Cruces McDonald’s when she and her father, Jaime Salazar, an executive chef at the Holiday Inn, took over La Nueva Casita Café, a Mexican restaurant in the Historic Mesquite District in 2005.
“My brother was driving through the neighborhood and saw the building was for rent. My dad grew up two blocks from here,” said Melissa, describing downtown Las Cruces and the original township. “We applied to be occupants and the owner said there were several people who inquired about it but he thought that my dad would be the right one to carry on what his mother started.”
La Nueva Casita was created in 1957 along the Camino Real, the same route that brought conquistadors from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Historians note that the path was also likely used by Indigenous people for travel years prior. Many who remain in the neighborhood are descendants of the original settlers who created Las Cruces, with some of the homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Continue readingSBA Small Business Week – Virtual in 2022
Congratulations to Joy Colucci, CEO of Metis Technology Solutions, who has been named New Mexico Small Business Person of the Year by the US Small Business Administration New Mexico District office. Ms. Colucci will speak about her business journey at an award ceremony on May 3 and will join other state and regional awardees at this year’s SBA Small Business Summit on May 5 as part of the SBA National Small Business Week Summit, which runs from May 2 through May 5. All events are offered virtually this year.
Continue readingHelp for New Mexico Tourism Businesses
The New Mexico Tourism Department has launched the Tourism Event Growth & Sustainability Program to help preserve, grow, and sustain New Mexico’s tourism events. Businesses engaged in tourism can get financial and planning assistance to develop or support their tourism-related events.
Continue reading7A Community Advantage Still Available
The U.S. Small Business Administration created the 7A Community Advantage loan program as a pilot program to help small businesses in underserved markets. The program was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2022.
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