Business Resources in Taos and Northern New Mexico

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Starting a business is a multi-faceted series of tasks and opportunities.  Here is helpful information of many organizations that assist businesses during development and start-up. Many offer FREE services! 

 

• New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) https://edd.newmexico.gov/

The mission of the New Mexico Economic Development Department is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive.

Business Resources: https://edd.newmexico.gov/business-development/

Start Your Business: https://edd.newmexico.gov/business-development/start/

Grow Your Business: https://edd.newmexico.gov/business-development/grow/

Community Business & Rural Development / Regional Representatives: https://edd.newmexico.gov/community-development/

Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP): https://edd.newmexico.gov/business-development/edd-programs-for-business/job-training-incentive-program/

The New Mexico State Legislature created JTIP, formerly known as the Industrial Development Training Program, or “in-plant training,” in 1972. New Mexico has one of the most generous training incentive programs in the country. The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) funds classroom and on-the-job training for newly-created jobs in expanding or relocating businesses for up to 6 months. The program reimburses 50-90% of employee wages. Custom training at a New Mexico public educational institution may also be reimbursed.

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• Taos County Economic Development Corporation https://www.taoscounty.org/474/Economic-Development

Our goal is to support responsible business and community economic development throughout Taos County. Whether it’s supporting our local small business community, developing entrepreneurs, working with businesses who want to relocate, or assisting nonprofit organizations that support economic vitality in the County and region, we strive to create the conditions for equitable community economic development. 

Doing Business in Taos County: https://www.taoscounty.org/475/Doing-Business-in-Taos-County

Current Projects & Initiatives: https://www.taoscounty.org/476/Current-Projects

The Taos County Lodger's Tax Grant Program: https://www.taoscounty.org/478/Lodgers-Tax-Grant-Program

Contact: Jessica Stern, Economic Development Director jessica.stern@taoscountynm.gov

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• Taos County https://www.taoscounty.org/

The Taos County website, you will find agendas for of scheduled meetings, minutes of all our meetings, job openings, hours of operation, forms and applications, access to our growth management plan, land use plan, information about all departments and their employees. This has been a collaborative effort with all employees to bring this information to the public and to better serve the community.

Business Licenses: https://www.taoscounty.org/430/Business-Licenses

Planning Department: https://www.taoscounty.org/189/Planning

Doing Business in Taos County: https://taoscounty.org/475/Doing-Business-in-Taos-County

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• Town of Taos https://taosnm.gov/

Business Registration / Application Packet: https://www.taosnm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2582/Business-Registration-Application- This application includes check lists for business owners!

Planning, Community & Economic Development: https://taosnm.gov/203/Planning-Community-Economic-Development

License, Permit & Development Review Applications: https://www.taosnm.gov/204/License-Permit-Development-Review-Applic 

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• New Mexico Workforce Connection https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/vosnet/default.aspx

We Educate, Empower, Employ, and Enforce. 

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions strives to be a leader in improving employment and poverty rates through workforce development, enhanced services for employers, and ensuring fair labor practices and workforce protections for New Mexicans. 

Locations: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Office-Locations

Starting a New Business: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/en-us/Businesses/Business-Outreach/Starting-a-New-Business

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• Northern Area Local Workforce Development Board (NALWDB): https://northernboard.org/

The NALWDB was incorporated in 2001 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) to operate as the Administrative Entity (AE) for workforce funds in the ten (10) northern New Mexico counties: Cibola, Colfax, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos. The Northern Area serves approximately 27.6 percent of New Mexico's total population. 

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• Small Business Development Center at UNM-Taos https://www.nmsbdc.org/locations/taos/

The UNM/Taos SBDC provides entrepreneurs with professional business consulting at no cost, management training, and vital information they need to grow and succeed in a complex and competitive and global environment.  It is a full-service office located in downtown Taos, serving emerging and existing businesses in Taos County. Consulting services and training are also provided.

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• Taos County Chamber of Commerce https://www.taoschamber.com/

The Taos County Chamber of Commerce exists to cultivate and sustain a healthy business environment in Taos County.  We provide Business Promotion and Referrals, Networking Opportunities, Member News via e-Newsletters, news flashes via e-Blasts, Seminars, representation for the business community throughout the region and state, Taos County advocacy and Responsible Economic Development initiatives.  We promote our community businesses with our Keep Taos Local--put your money where your heart is! campaign and with events such as Taos Plaza Live.

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• Taos MainStreet https://www.taosmainstreet.org/

Downtown Taos MainStreet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the action-based implementation organization coordinating with the Town of Taos, Taos County, businesses, property owners, and community partners to achieve a shared vision of our Historic Downtown District. We are committed to revitalizing the economy of Downtown Taos while preserving its culture. Taos MainStreet became an accredited MainStreet program in August 2019. 

Business Resources: https://www.taosmainstreet.org/business-resources

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• Small Business Administration https://www.sba.gov/

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

NM District Office: https://www.sba.gov/district/new-mexico

How we help small businesses:

Write Your Business Plan: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan

10 Steps to Start Your Business: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/10-steps-start-your-business

Market Research & Competitive Analysis: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/market-research-competitive-analysis

Counseling and Help: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/counseling-help

Loans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans

Find an SBA lender near you to help fund your business.

Lender Match: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match-connects-you-lenders

Disaster Assistance: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Federal Contracting: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting

How To Win Contracts: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/how-win-contracts

MySBA Certifications: https://certifications.sba.gov/

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• UNM-Taos HIVE https://www.taoshive.com/

UNM-Taos HIVE, the Hub of Internet- Based Vocation and Education is a public private partnership between UNM-Taos, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative and the Taos Community Foundation. The HIVE officially opened its doors in June of 2021, founded on three core principles: Education, Entrepreneurship and Engagement.

In January of 2020, UNM-Taos HIVE was accepted into the Center on Rural Innovation, a cohort of 38 rural communities working together on the five direct drivers of economic diversification: Tech Workforce Development and Support, Scalable Tech Entrepreneurship Support and Incubation, Access to Tech Jobs, Access to Capital and Inclusive Tech Culture building.

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• Taos County Economic Development Corporation 

Email: communications@tcedc.org

Taos County Economic Development Corporation was founded in 1987, the challenges facing our community were those of a historic, semi-isolated, rural area transitioning from a centuries-old, self-sufficient agrarian base to a commercially focused economy. TCEDC has operated over twenty-nine years utilizing a family model in its community development efforts to address these challenges.

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• SCORE https://www.score.org/

Small Business Success Starts Here

Score proudly celebrates 60 years of helping America's small businesses launch, grow and thrive. Since 1964, more than 17 million entrepreneurs have received support from SCORE, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). 

Today, SCORE has a nationwide network of more than 10,000 volunteers serving all 50 U.S. states and territories, guiding entrepreneurs on their path to success.

Get Business Advice. Chat Live with a Mentor. You can use their online chat to connect 1:1 with a mentor. Available Monday-Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM ET. https://direct.lc.chat/12212181/

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• WESST https://www.wesst.org/

WESST is a home to entrepreneurs providing a support system of consulting, training, incubation, and lending to help all New Mexicans start, strengthen, and grow their small businesses through sustainable business models, financial empowerment, and job creation. 

Start a Business: https://www.wesst.org/start-a-business/

Grow Your Business: https://www.wesst.org/grow-your-business/

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• New Mexico Community Capital https://www.nmccap.org/ (Assistance for Native-Owned Businesses)

Founded in 2004, New Mexico Community Capital is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to change the status quo in Native-owned business through tailored mentorship, financial literacy and digital skills programs, and specialized technical assistance and services for tribes and tribal enterprises. We seek to build and support a more equitable future, by providing economic and sustainability tools for success to Indigenous people in New Mexico, and throughout the U.S. 

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• ACCION http://www.accion.org

ACCION finds and helps build innovative companies with the potential to reach large numbers of underserved people and accelerate their growth by investing capital and providing strategic governance and advice. 

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• Finance New Mexico https://financenewmexico.org/

Finance New Mexico is a public service project to connect you to resources and knowledge that can help your business grow. 

Sponsored by public and private entities - all of which share the goal of increasing economic activity and development in the U.S. State of New Mexico - Finance New Mexico provides you with business-building tools and connections. 

Not sure which resource is right for you? Use this handy guide for business loan guidance and to find the help you need https://financenewmexico.org/personalized-guidance/

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• Regional Development Corporation (RDC) https://rdcnm.org/

The RDC is a private non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving economic development in Northern New Mexico. The RDC provides private investment opportunities and technical assistance to facilitate job grown and diversity the economies of communities in the following seven counties: Los Alamos, More, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos, and the municipalities and Native American Pueblos therein. 

The RDC supports economic development in Northern New Mexico through two main program areas. The Business Retention & Expansion Program provides small businesses, regional startups, and tribal communities funding opportunities and one-on-one technical assistance to help build and sustain a vibrant local economy. The Workforce Training & Education Program is a partnership between the RDC and six Northern New Mexico higher education institutions to identify training needs and develop a well-educated workforce in the region.

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• Los Alamos Community Foundation https://lanlfoundation.org/grantee/los-alamos-community-foundation/

Deeply rooted in Northern New Mexico, the LANL Foundation was founded in 1997 to develop and support learning opportunities for our area's children, youth and families. We form meaningful and productive collaborations with individuals, organizations and institutions to address educational challenges affecting our communities. 

The LANL Foundation is committed to promoting racial and social equity in all our programs and grantmaking. Through a wide range of programming aimed at reaching the diverse communities within Northern New Mexico, we work toward our vision that all New Mexicans have the skills and confidence they need to become self-sufficient, lifelong learners.

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• University of New Mexico-Taos https://taos.unm.edu/

UNM-Taos is one of the newest and smallest of the UNM branches, yet in 2011 was ranked as one of the top 25 community colleges in the nation for growth. We boast a sophisticated curriculum and highly qualified faculty. The campus is situated in a high mountain valley between the Rio Grande and the 1,000 year old Taos Pueblo. The campus is fully powered by one of the largest solar arrays in New Mexico, but still remains the laid-back "Taos style" ambience known throughout the southwest. If you are seeking quality education in a beautiful natural setting, apply now! 

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• Santa Fe Business Incubator https://sfbi.net/

Santa Fe Business Incubator provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs who have the passion and tenacity to launch and grow businesses that create new jobs, diversify the economy, and enhance the quality of life for all in the community.

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• State of New Mexico Taxation & Revenue https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/

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