BernCo Essential-Business Grant Program Opens

For-profit and nonprofit organizations that were deemed “essential” during the pandemic and are located in Bernalillo County can apply for up to $50,000 in one-time financial support to assist in retaining workers. The money, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, must be dispersed to workers by awarded companies and nonprofits. (See update below.)

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STEP Grants Help Businesses Begin Exporting

The New Mexico State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) helps businesses expand into new markets or begin exporting by reimbursing eligible costs such as securing foreign trade show booth space, hiring interpreters, and attending export training programs. The program also offers the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Gold Key matchmaking services in major markets abroad.

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Construction 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.

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Grants for Black & Underserved Entrepreneurs

Several national organizations and retailers are celebrating Black History Month by offering new grants or highlighting existing grants available to Black entrepreneurs. Eligibility in most of these programs is also open to Indigenous and Female entrepreneurs. Most of the grants award credit for services rather than cash, and applicants compete against similar businesses nationwide.

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Recovery Grant Program Coming to an End

The New Mexico Finance Authority, which manages the state’s Small Business Recovery Grant program, is accepting applications until December 7, 2021.

The pandemic recovery grant program was authorized by the New Mexico Legislature in the 2021 regular session to assist businesses that suffered financial hardship during the pandemic. Grants are tied to job creation, and funds must be used as reimbursements of rent, lease or mortgage payments. 

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Grant Refresh for Sandoval County Businesses

The Sandoval County Board of Commissioners has added money to its CARES Grant pandemic relief program — now referred to as ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) — that was offered to local businesses last year. Pandemic-impacted businesses located in Sandoval County, including the City of Rio Rancho, towns of Bernalillo and Cuba, and Village of Corrales, may apply for a grant of up to $20,000.

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LANL Fellowships Offered to Startups and Entrepreneurs

Small businesses and entrepreneurs working to solve national security challenges are invited to apply for a two-year fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The fellowship includes up to $100,000 in yearly stipend, health insurance, a travel allowance, and $100,000 per year in technology advancement support. Part of the New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (NM LEEP) and operated by Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation in conjunction with LANL’s Feynman Center for Innovation, the fellowship offers the opportunity to become immersed in the laboratory’s technology and talent.

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State Offers Grants to Promote Tourism

New Mexico attracts more visitors every year, but the state wants to further boost tourism and related revenue by expanding on successful programs like New Mexico True and the Cooperative Marketing Program (CoOp).

New Mexico True is a brand that businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations can use by partnering with the New Mexico Tourism Department. That involves demonstrating how the organization expresses or evokes the state’s distinctive landscapes, cultures, food, art or history.

The CoOp program gives local nonprofits, municipalities and tribal governments a financial incentive to market what’s uniquely New Mexican about their event or location and even participate in existing advertising campaigns. Through the CoOp program, state money is leveraged with money from other public entities to amplify media buying power for all involved parties. (Private businesses can contribute up to 50 percent of a public entity’s total CoOp investment.) Continue reading