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OFFICE OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
January 2025
Para ver este boletín en Español, ábralo en su navegador web y aparecerá una opción para Google Translate en la esquina superior derecha.
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
We’re jumping right into action this year with a full slate of events and collaborations lined up. Santa Fe’s entrepreneurial energy is unstoppable, and we’re ready to keep the momentum going, making sure our local businesses have everything they need to grow and thrive.
The top five items I am most excited to share this month...
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Congratulations to OED's Lizzy Portillo and Eric Renz-Whitmore for receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Santa Fe's Finance Department for their service and support on encumbering the funds for ARPA programming (see picture below).
- The Office of Affordable Housing has launched two Request for Proposals (RFPs) seeking projects addressing affordable housing solutions. The deadline to apply is February 14.
- We are partnering with UNM Rainforest Innovations to fill a Tribal Liaison position in their new Santa Fe Tribal Entrepreneurial Office. Those interested may apply here.
- The Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute (SFMI) is a recipient of the inaugural round of awards through the EDD’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Office. This $2,500 JEDI grant will assist efforts by the institute to increase access to fresh, local food.
- A warm welcome to our newest VISTA volunteer, Norma Pagan, who will help our team with economic mobility.
Stay tuned for updates on our ongoing efforts to strengthen and diversify our local economy. Please reach out if there is any way we may be of assistance.
With respect and in service,
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Johanna Nelson, Director, Office of Economic Development (OED)
OED team members
Lizzy Portillo and Eric Renz-Whitmore received a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Santa Fe's Finance Department.
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On the first and last Monday of each month, the OED hosts bilingual office hours at two convenient locations in town to provide assistance and connections for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Schedule an appointment and stop by with questions about business resources and/or share ideas or concerns regarding economic development.
To schedule an appointment, please email Casey Dalbor at cjdalbor@santafenm.gov.
Jan 27, 10 AM – 2 PM
3286 Cerrillos, Del Norte Credit Union
Feb 3, 10 AM – 2 PM
3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe Business Incubator
Feb 24, 10 AM – 2 PM
3286 Cerrillos, Del Norte Credit Union
Feb 18, 11:30 AM – 1 PM
3900 Paseo del Sol, Santa Fe Business Incubator
OED partners with the City of Santa Fe Planning and Land Use Department and others for this bilingual workshop to share steps to license your business and provide an overview of resources available from the city and our community.
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Santa Fe is a great place to launch and operate a business. Each month, our team meets with a new business to learn more about their entrepreneurial experience and share insights.
 Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals offers fun, easy, and safe bike rentals and tours throughout Santa Fe in their new location at the Railyard Depot in Santa Fe.
ENTREPRENEURIAL INSIGHTS WITH
HEATHER AND JOSH ARNOLD
- What are you most proud of in establishing your business?
The connections we’ve built—both with our guests and our communities. These meaningful relationships and our focus on approachability and inclusivity have helped us become a cornerstone of mindful and heartfelt tourism in Santa Fe and beyond.
- What skill or ability has been essential in growing your business?
Adaptability and collaboration have been essential to our growth. With its unique blend of art, history, and culture, Santa Fe offers endless opportunities for innovation. In tourism, every day brings something new—and being able to pivot quickly and respond with creativity and purpose has allowed us to thrive.
- What impact do you think your business will have on your customers?
We believe Routes inspires our customers to see New Mexico through a new lens. By blending adventure with culture, history, and community, we create experiences that deepen their connection to this beautiful state.
- What’s next in your entrepreneurial journey?
As we expand further into Santa Fe with our new location at the Railyard, we are excited to grow our multimodal tour offerings. In addition to our award-winning bicycle tours, we have mapped out future walking tours, hiking adventures, and walk-on options, while also adding to our already popular snowshoe tours.
The Office of Economic Development sponsors a variety of events that drive the economy through education, networking, and new opportunities for our business community.
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 OED is proud to sponsor the monthly El Sailon event at Boxcar. The recent meetup attracted a packed room of attendees excited to hear from three experts sharing their insights and experiences with AI.
 On January 15, the annual UNM Rainforest Business and Economic Summit brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers to discuss how to cultivate innovation and drive economic growth right here in New Mexico.
 Creative Mornings Santa Fe hosted an inspiring monthly breakfast lecture featuring Ana Gallegos y Reinhardt that zeroed in on the journey of Warehouse 21.
 The Santa Fe Gloom soccer game on January 18 against Brusa FC was a lot of fun and OED is a proud supporter. Thanks to the GCCC staff for hosting.
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 On January 15, New Mexico LEEP fellows pitched their business ideas, based on research at the labs, to potential investors and incubator experts at the annual Celebrate & Support New Mexico's Deep Tech Entrepreneurs event.
 The monthly Equal Grounds meeting was hosted at The Mystic. These meet-ups are a safe space for the LGBTQA+ community and allied businesses to share ideas and concerns that will build a stronger city.
 Creative Santa Fe and the UNM Center for Responsible Entrepreneurship hosted an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Partner Luncheon on January 22 at Kitchen Table on the power of community and collaboration.
 On January 24, OED hosted its quarterly Workforce Development meetup and discussed vital initiatives to support the business community. Thanks to the Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board for hosting in the soon to be Job Center.
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The Office of Economic Development partners with many organizations that focus on economic development and we feature their work to elevate businesses and/or entrepreneurs.
 MAKE Santa Fe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community workspace where people can access tools, resources, and workshops to make, repair, invent, or create anything they can dream of in more than 15 industrial arts disciplines.
Make Santa Fe empowers creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators to turn their ideas into reality. Designed to provide you with the tools, resources, and community you need to build, prototype, and grow your business, the fully-equipped fabrication workshop awaits. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, Make Santa Fe is the perfect launchpad for your entrepreneurial journey.
For $85 per month, members gain access to laser cutters, 3D printers, electronics and programming tools, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) mills and routers, a full metal shop, a plasma cutter, metal lathes and mills, a waterjet, a woodworking shop, wood lathes, a blacksmithing forge, sand and aluminum casting, a ceramic studio, kilns, and a variety of digital fabrication and prototyping tools. Take classes, multi-track courses, and expand your creative skills in more than 15 disciplines.
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Recently, the Santa Fe City Council passed a resolution for Santa Fe companies to take advantage of the C-PACE program.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program is a financing structure enabled by state statute and local ordinance that provides eligible property owners with access to long-term fixed-rate financing for a range of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, and resiliency improvements. The program allows local governments to secure the financing via a special improvement assessment on the improved property.
Orange Barrel Newsletter
Sign up for the City of Santa Fe's weekly newsletter that provides updates on road work, official announcements, and much more.
Apply for the RFP for Community Development Block Grant (#25102).
Apply for the RFP for Affordable Housing Trust Fund (#25103).
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The City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development works to cultivate a vibrant business community and to build a diverse, innovative economy that provides equitable opportunity and prosperity for the residents of Santa Fe.
La misión de la Oficina de Desarrollo Económico es cultivar una comunidad empresarial vibrante y construir una economía diversa e innovadora que brinde oportunidades equitativas y prosperidad para la comunidad.
The City of Santa Fe offers several choices for receiving communications via email. Our newsletters address library events, new and upcoming road work, official announcements, and much more. Remember, you can manage your account at any time.
CALL 211 FOR HELP
If you need help with rent, nutritious food, secure housing, utilities, reliable transportation, and safe physical and social environments, call 211 for help.
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