Sole proprietors, self-employed, and gig workers can apply for more PPP money than was allowed under the program in the past. New rules released by the U.S. Small Business Administration on March 3 use gross income as the base calculation when determining the amount a solopreneur can access. Previous rules used net income, which often resulted in just a few hundred dollars of PPP loan eligibility for self-employed workers.
Continue readingCategory Archives: New Programs, Open Opportunities and Announcements
Las Cruces Businesses Offered Free Social Media Training
The City of Las Cruces Economic Development Department and Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University have teamed up to help entrepreneurs take their business online. The free assistance, which focuses on social media proficiency, aims to augment the marketing of local businesses, especially those that were impacted by the pandemic.
Continue readingEDD offers Grants to “High-Growth” Science & Tech Businesses
New Mexico companies in a science and technology field, with fewer than 50 employees, and who are deemed to be “high growth” may qualify for a grant up to $25,000, courtesy of the state Economic Development Department Office of Science & Technology. The department will accept 2021 applications until 5:00 pm on Monday, March 29.
Continue readingUnrestricted USDA REAP Applications Open Until March 31
The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan and grant funding to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. While loan applications are accepted on a continuous cycle, Unrestricted Grants or Loan/Unrestricted Grant Combo applications are due by March 31, 2021.
Continue readingHB-11 Promises Grants for Businesses
The New Mexico Legislature passed HB-11, which funds a new covid-recovery business grant program, among other things.
Grants aim to help businesses significantly impacted by Covid-19 with rent, lease, and mortgage obligations in exchange for job creation.
Continue readingPPP to Target Smallest and Minority Businesses
Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program aim to better reach very small businesses and those owned by people of color —and particularly those who struggled to access the program during the first rounds of funding last year. The changes, which will be implemented on February 24, 2021, include:
Continue readingWinner of Online Pitch Competition to Receive $5k + Benefits
Arrowhead Innovation Fund (AIF), housed at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, is hosting an online pitch competition to introduce investors to companies with promising technologies developed and/or licensed by New Mexico start-up companies. AIF is focused on startups working in the agriculture, biotechnology, health/devices, information technology, engineering, energy, and water technology industry sectors.
Continue readingOutdoor Recreation as Economic Development: New Toolkit Available
The Rural Economic Development Toolkit, created by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, outlines best practices for building an outdoor recreation economy. Outdoor recreation offers opportunities for sustainable economic and community development, and most communities need help implementing those ambitious plans. The toolkit contains a list of federal grants and technical assistance programs that can support communities in securing funding and services, along with many other resources.
Continue readingDoes Crowdfunding Still Work?
SCORE of Northern New Mexico is offering a webinar from 2:00 – 3:30 pm on Feb. 23 to help entrepreneurs determine if raising money through crowdfunding is a viable option for their business or idea.
Continue readingAlbuquerque Businesses Can Get Free PPE from WESST
Nonprofit economic development organization WESST has partnered with the City of Albuquerque to distribute free personal protection equipment (PPE) to businesses located within city limits.
Preregistered businesses can pick up a PPE box on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Each box contains 10 cloth masks, 100 disposable masks, and 3 bottles each of sanitizer and disinfectant.
Interested business owners must fill out this form prior to picking up their box. Pick-up location and details will be provided after registration.