Small Business Saturday — the Saturday after Thanksgiving — draws attention to the important role that independent merchants in New Mexico play in the local, state, and national economy.
Continue readingCategory Archives: New Programs, Open Opportunities and Announcements
Outdoor Adventure Pitch Offers $15K in Prizes
The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Outdoor Recreation Division and CNM Ingenuity’s Startups and Small Business team are partnering to help outdoor companies prepare pitches for delivery at the Outdoor Economics Conference in Santa Fe on October 25. The deadline to apply is September 22, and accepted applicants are eligible for up to $15,000 in prizes.
Continue readingPatent Legal Assistance – for Free
Inventors and small business owners may be eligible for free legal assistance when preparing and filing a patent application. The US Patent and Trademark Office offers the Patent Pro Bono Program which utilizes a nationwide network of independently operated regional programs to match volunteer patent attorneys and agents with financially under-resourced inventors and small businesses to provide free legal assistance in securing patent protection.
Continue readingKindling and Accelerant: Partner with Los Alamos National Laboratory
Technology entrepreneurs interested in learning about assistance available from Los Alamos National Laboratory should attend the free Showcase and Demo Day on Monday, July 17 in Los Alamos. The event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, laboratory employees, and others seeking information about commercialization activities and technology acceleration opportunities at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Seating is limited, and attendees are asked to RSVP in advance for the free event.
Continue readingApplications Accepted for Northern N.M. Tribal Economic Diversity Grants
The Regional Development Corporation is accepting applications for 2023 grants from its Tribal Economic Diversity Fund. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2023.
Continue readingPTAP Transitioning to APEX Accelerator
“One of the best-kept secrets*” in the business resource arena is getting better. The Procurement Technical Assistance Program (along with its PTACs – Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) is changing its name to the APEX Accelerator program as it redefines its vision and mission. The program offers assistance to small businesses interested in selling their goods or services to the government, educational institutions, and Tribal entities. The change will help the program increase and improve its program offerings, said Therese Rivera, Program Manager of New Mexico APEX Accelerator.
Continue readingState Lowers GRT Again
The New Mexico gross receipts tax rate will decrease by .125 percent effective July 1, 2023. This is the second decrease enabled by legislation passed in 2022, and it affects every business and purchaser in the state. Often thought of as a sales tax, GRT is slightly different because it applies to the sale of services, as well as tangible items.
Continue readingOERF Offers Low-Interest Loans for Building and Renovation Projects
The Opportunity Enterprise Revolving Fund offers low-cost financing for purchasing, planning, designing, building, surveying, improving, operating, furnishing, equipping, or maintaining land, buildings or infrastructure. Eligible businesses must be engaged in a project that increases the inventory of commercial space in New Mexico while creating or expanding economic opportunity in the state.
Continue readingFranchise Model Offers Benefits
The Paleta Bar, a retail store specializing in “fresh gourmet Mexican pops,” started in a small strip mall in Albuquerque. Several years later it boasts 33 stores selling Mexican ice pops in 7 states. The company’s rapid growth can be traced to an aggressive plan to open its own stores in addition to selling franchises — stores owned by others that use the company’s name and retail business model.
Continue readingRCAC Still Offering Pandemic Assistance
Small businesses that continue to recover from the pandemic still have relief options. Among them is the RELieF loan offered by Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) which provides up to $25,000 to help eligible rural businesses in New Mexico emerge from the pandemic.
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