Santa Fe, NM - Today, the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced that the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) board approved $2,222,858 for 313 jobs announced over the last two months. JTIP is one of the many tools helping to bring new businesses to New Mexico and help those that are here grow and thrive. The board approval comes on the heels of Governor Martinez and Secretary Barela announcing more than 2,000 jobs over the last few months. The funding will also go toward six new internships and eight incumbent workers.

"Companies who receive JTIP are able to hire new employees, expand their workforce and in-turn expand the state's workforce," said Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela. "JTIP plays an important role in diversifying New Mexico's Economy."

The program reimburses qualified economic-base companies for a portion of training costs associated with job creation. JTIP provides for classroom or on-the-job training, reimbursing an expanding or relocating business for up to 75 percent of a trainee's wages for as long as six months. The amount of the award depends on the number and complexity of jobs, the wages paid, and the business location.

July's JTIP Recipients were:

Convergys Customer Management Group, Inc., Rio Rancho - Convergys is a leader in the large, global customer management business process outsourcing market. The company's agents provide a full range of contact center services including customer service, customer retention, technical support, business-to-consumer sales, complex device support, account management, collections and direct response. 100 jobs, 197,250

Vitality Works, Inc., Albuquerque - Vitality Works, Inc. is a New Mexico company providing leading edge medicinal supplements of the highest quality, purity and potency. With approximately 600 customers worldwide, Vitality Works sells their products to healthcare practitioners, health food stores, retail stores, natural food traders, multi-level marketing companies and foreign operations. 8 jobs, $32,237.60

NICOR Lighting, Inc., Albuquerque - NICOR was the first company to introduce the "Uni-Pack" concept of having the fan, blades, and light kit all in one package. NICOR manufactures over 2000 products including ceiling fans, track lighting and recessed lighting. 13 jobs, $97,848.20

Descartes Labs, Inc., Los Alamos - Descartes Labs is a technology start-up founded by scientists who spun out of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The company's licensed artificial intelligence technology teaches computers how to understand satellite imagery in order to gain a better understanding of Earth's natural resources. 3 jobs, $75,286.96

Unity BPO, Inc., Albuquerque - Unity BPO is an IT outsourcing specialist spun off from The Kemtah Group, Inc. The company delivers IT infrastructure and support services in the healthcare industry including: Healthcare Consultancies, EMR/ EHR Companies, Healthcare Providers and Home Health Agencies. 1 jobs, $30,202

New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Albuquerque - The New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a local non-profit that works with companies statewide to help grow manufacturing in New Mexico. MEP provides consulting services and hands-on training to manufacturers to streamline operations, develop strategies for growing revenue, and become more competitive. $36,003.84 in funding was approved by the JTIP board for consortium training for ISO 9001 certification through Step Up.

June's JTIP recipients were:
Zing Solar, LLC, Albuquerque - Zing Solar provides solar system design, installation and solar system monitoring services to residential customers. 12 jobs, $83,800

PCM Sales, Rio Rancho - PCM, Inc. offers a wide variety of IT solutions, services and products to meet its customers' technology needs. PCM supports businesses of all sizes, as well as government and educational institutions and individual consumers. 79 jobs, $568,676.25

Optomec, Inc., Albuquerque - Optomec is a supplier of advanced manufacturing equipment with unique 3D printing technology that supports a broad range of functional, product-grade materials and feature sizes. 9 jobs, $151,175.84

RiskSense, Inc., Albuquerque - RiskSense is an innovative provider of cyber security, incident response and compliance and regulatory services. 14 jobs, 3 interns, $310,643.08

Addmi, Inc., Albuquerque - Originally created to eliminate the need for business cards, Addmi has expanded into a location-based mobile application service (app) that simplifies contact management on smartphones. For individuals, the app is used to connect with people in close proximity, meet up with people at large events, share contact information, chat, refer friends to businesses and streamline contact management. For business, the app. is used to track customer traffic flow and behavior including when and for how long customers visit retail stores. 5 jobs, $79,988

New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos - New Mexico Consortium (NMC), was founded in 2006 through a teaming agreement between the University of California and the Regents of the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Governed by a Board of Directors, NMC partners with Los Alamos National Laboratory to define research strategies, develop the infrastructure and facilities to support the research initiatives, and proposes and pursues research programs to advance scientific research and education in New Mexico. 1 job, $18,767.20

Affordable Solar Installation, Inc., Albuquerque - Affordable Solar installs distributed generation, commercial, government and utility-scale solar installations throughout the U.S. and supplies solar systems to commercial, industrial, scientific, community and residential customers in 96 countries. 2 jobs, $25,560

Unity BPO, Inc., Albuquerque - Unity BPO, Inc. is an IT outsourcing specialist. The company delivers IT infrastructure and support services in the healthcare industry including: Healthcare Consultancies, EMR/ EHR Companies, Healthcare Providers and Home Health Agencies. 66 jobs, $490,440

Jaguar Precision Machine, LLC, Albuquerque - Jaguar Precision Machine is a veteran-owned company specializing in manufacturing of highly complex parts for defense, aerospace, medical and oil and gas customers. 8 jobs, $12,500

MrOwl.com, Albuquerque - MrOwl.com is an internet information and social media start-up that has developed a collaborative and personalized technology with social media aspects that enables individuals, companies and the community as a whole to decide what should be in their internet. 3 interns, $12,480

To qualify for JTIP, new or expanding companies must either create a product in New Mexico, or provide a nonretail service with 50 percent of the company's costumer or revenue base outside of the state. The eligible jobs must be full-time and year-round. The trainee must be a new hire to the company and have been a New Mexico resident for at least one year at any time prior to being hired. For more information on JTIP, visit www.goNM.biz.