Angelina Romo believes small businesses in the central region of New Mexico are standing on their own again after the devastating effects of the pandemic. She should know. Romo is a loan officer with The Loan Fund, a nonprofit lender that offers loans and technical assistance to businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the state. Romo serves the Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI’s) central region encompassing Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

“Many small businesses did a tremendous job learning to pivot with COVID limitations,” she said, citing clients who switched to selling sterilization items and protective gear or utilizing delivery services when they were unable to work directly with their customers.

Three years on, Romo sees businesses expanding their networks to achieve growth.

“Some of my independent trucking clients have even taken subcontracts with large corporations to ensure they continue to prosper,” she said. “Covid separated everyone for so long, but businesses have now banded together to continue growth and to survive.”