State Awards Grants to Enhance Solo Workers and Support Job Growth

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2019 15 July 2019

SANTA FE, N.M. – The state Economic Development Department has approved $100,000 in Solo Worker grants to four entities whose programs train and support workers to run their businesses from home. These programs help make remote work a viable option for people, allowing them to continue to work in their own community.

The EDD has also approved $250,000 in Local Economic Assistance & Job Development Support (LEADS) grants.

“The grants are part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s focus of building more economic development expertise across New Mexico,” said Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes of the Economic Development Department.

“We have strong partners in every part of the state and these grants will help empower local governments, colleges, economic development agencies, incubators and other non-profits as they work to build wealth and create higher-paying jobs,” said Keyes.

One of the Solo Worker grants was awarded in Cibola County to teach workers “stay-at-home” compatible skills, such as medical coding and remote customer service. The Solo Worker initiative received special funding from the Legislature for Fiscal Year 2020.

Another grant will help The Rio Grande Community Development Corporation expand its business incubation program, which includes, amongst other services, offering a commercial kitchen, allowing food industry home businesses a fully licensed facility for preparing their products.

The LEADS program is administered by NMEDD’S Business and Rural Development Team. These grants help communities create jobs, develop their tax base, retain and recruit local talent, and encourage further economic development. They offer financial assistance for marketing, promotion, and for specific job creation projects.

Among the recipients were the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation, which strives to attract businesses that fit well in the economic trends of McKinley County. 

Another large grant recipient, the Carlsbad Department of Development, puts its funds to work with programs that help retain existing industries and local talent, particularly in the fields of medicine, aviation, nuclear, oil and gas, potash, and hospitality (retail, restaurants, and entertainment).

Click here to learn more about LEADS and Solo Worker applications.

Those receiving Solo Worker funding ($25,000 each):

  • Women's Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST) in Albuquerque
  • Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation (EDF)
  • Santa Fe Incubator
  • Rio Grande Community Development Corporation (RGCDC) in Albuquerque

Communities awarded LEADS grants are: 

  • Greater Gallup, awarded $25,000
  • Carlsbad DOD, awarded $25,000
  • Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), awarded $25,000
  • Farmington, awarded $20,000
  • Lea County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), awarded $20,000
  • San Juan College, awarded $20,000
  • Clovis Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), awarded $20,000
  • Santa Fe Business Incubator, awarded $20,000
  • Sandoval Economic Alliance (SEA), awarded $15,000
  • Cibola Communities EDF, awarded $15,000
  • Town of Mountainair, awarded $12,500
  • Greater Tucumcari EDC, awarded $12,500
  • Lovington EDC, awarded $10,000
  • Otero County EDC, awarded $10,000

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