Store Front Repair Program to Offer $2,500

The Las Cruces Bulletin has reported that eligible Las Cruces businesses may apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to help repair storefront property damage that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2021. According to the article, applications will be accepted starting Feb. 1, 2023, until the program funding runs out. The Las Cruces Economic Development Department will manage the program.

Continue reading

Gas Service Company Grows with Help from LiftFund

After years of working for a large corporation in the gas & propane industry, Randy Peralta decided to pursue his own entrepreneurial project that would allow him to draw on his experience and be his own boss. In 2021, Peralta launched Gas Register Specialty Services, known as GRS Services, a mobile gas meter calibration company. Peralta’s specialty business serves commercial clients from Lea to San Juan counties.

While 28 years of technical experience in the propane industry were imperative for the nature of work that GRS Services set out to offer, operating a sole proprietorship did not come without its challenges.

“Having experience in the propane industry did not necessarily prepare me to handle all of the business and operational aspects,” said Peralta, adding that while he learned a lot in the field during his years in the industry, financial reporting and project management were new to him. He also needed to attend what he calls ‘meter school’ to be able to legally calibrate both electronic and mechanical meters.

Continue reading

Sprints Propel Businesses Off the Starting Block

Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University is accepting applications for several upcoming business sprint programs. BizSprint Roswell, a 6-week business acceleration program for startups and existing businesses located in the city of Roswell, is accepting applications until the end of the day on February 6, 2023. AgSprint, another 6-week business acceleration program — this one for existing or aspiring agricultural businesses located anywhere in the state — is accepting applications until February 15. And Feb. 27 is the deadline for San Miguel County businesses to apply to join the BizSprint San Miguel cohort.

Continue reading

Abq Sunport Looking for Vendors

According to a January 18 Albuquerque Journal article, the Albuquerque International Sunport is undergoing renovations that will make room for up to ten retail businesses and 16 concessions. Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2024, and the airport authority plans to issue an RFP seeking retail vendors by the end of March 2023.

Continue reading

SBA Looking for Rural, Women-Owned Businesses

Women-owned small business owners located in rural areas are invited to apply to join the US Small Business Administration’s free Ascent Rural program. Ascent offers group virtual learning sessions that provide a forum for program participants to meet with other women who have been selected for the upcoming Ascent cohort. The program is a combination of online self-guided learning using the Ascent platform, as well as group virtual sessions.

Continue reading

Small Business Pros and Funding Available at All Levels

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, the top reasons for starting a business have not changed much in the past decade. Chief among those reasons is the desire to be one’s own boss and have greater control over one’s income. New Mexico, whose businesses are predominantly small (as defined by the SBA), is fortunate to be home to so many people with a drive for personal self-determination.

Continue reading

EDD Offers Grants to Science & Technology Companies

The New Mexico Economic Development Department Office of Science and Technology is accepting applications from for-profit companies in the science and technology fields for grants of up to $25,000. Companies in aerospace, biosciences, cybersecurity, Intelligent Manufacturing, sustainable, and green energy fields are encouraged to apply by 5:00 pm MST on Monday, December 12, 2022.

Continue reading

Small Business Recovery Loan – One Month Left to Apply

The application window for the Small Business Recovery Loan Fund program is about to close. Authorized by the State of New Mexico and available through the New Mexico Finance Authority, the Small Business Recovery Loan program offers loans of up to $150,000 to businesses that were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Applications must be submitted by early- to mid-December in order for a loan to close by the program’s deadline of December 31, 2022.

Continue reading

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)

Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates entrepreneurship during the second week of November — from November 14 through 20 in 2022. Started in the U.S. and U.K. by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2008, GEW has grown to be a truly global endeavor with events taking place in more than 165 countries — including here in New Mexico.

Continue reading