Positive impact on New Mexico's economy, communities

Through our relations and partnerships across government agencies, laboratories, universities, and industry, Los Alamos National Laboratory delivers the best possible science and technology results for the nation while making a positive impact on our New Mexico communities and economy.

Check out the Economic Impact on New Mexico webpage for the latest information and data on our efforts in

• economic development, including investment and technical assistance
• small business procurement
• employment

Community Leaders Update, April 26, 2016

View slides of Projected Workforce Needs (pdf) »

Los Alamos Connect

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New Mexico based HydroBio receives grant

Los Alamos Connect is the principal economic development investment by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) and administered by the Regional Development Corporation. It is a collection of

• investment
• market research
• technical assistance
• business coaching

activities to help businesses reach the next level of success and create an entrepreneurial culture in Northern New Mexico.

Los Alamos Connect has served 470 companies and entrepreneurs since its inception in 2006. Its clients have attracted $57 million in new financing and created or retained 481 jobs with salaries totaling $15 million.

New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA)

New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA) helps for-profit small businesses in New Mexico access cutting-edge technologies, solve technical issues and gain knowledge from technical experts at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The assistance is provided at no cost to the small businesses.

In 2012, the State of New Mexico, along with Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, invested $4.5M, helping 349 companies in 27 counties solve their technical challenges.

Economic and business development partnerships

The Laboratory is involved with the Northern New Mexico business community through economic development and business service partners. We participate in the following organizations:

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico
• Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Española Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Espanola Valley Community Development Corporation
• Las Vegas First Independent Business Alliance
• Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
• Mora Valley Chamber of Commerce
• NM IDEA
• Regional Development Corporation
• Greater Sandoval County Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
• Taos Entrepreneurial Network
• Taos County Chamber of Commerce

LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium

The Laboratory's major subcontractors have economic development requirements as part of their subcontracts with the Laboratory, making each major subcontractor a valuable source of resources for the region's economic development.

Subcontractors with contract awards of $5 million or greater submit a Subcontractor’s Regional and Community Development Plan to address economic development, education enrichment, and corporate citizenship in Northern New Mexico. The LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium enables these subcontractors to collaborate and increase the impact of their regional community development plans to enhance the economy, education system and quality of life in Northern New Mexico.

Economic Development Grant Pool

The LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium's Economic Development Grant Pool is a program that allows members to leverage their resources for the diversification of Northern New Mexico's economy for greater impact in education and economic development. Grants have been awarded to nonprofits in two areas: Youth Entrepreneurship and Industry Cluster Development.

In 2013, the funds available for grants were more than $100,000, thanks to the LANS match.

Native American Venture Acceleration Fund

The Native American Venture Acceleration Fund is a new program created by LANS that makes awards to tribally-owned companies for critical technical services, which leads to increased revenues and employment for the company. Awards are intended to provide services to tribal business entities that will allow the company to diversify revenue, create new jobs and have systems in place that lead to growth.

In 2012, the following six Native American businesses received grants:

• San Ildefonso Development Corporation: $20,500 for upgrades to existing accounting software and training
• Three Eagles Development Corporation, Picuris Pueblo: $10,800 to update computer and account systems, software and hardware
• Cochiti Pueblo Development Corporation: $20,000 for restructuring of the corporation to include an environmental services firm
• Avanyu Construction Services, LLC: $25,000 for new accounting software to fulfill federal contracting requirements and begin 8A certification process
• Sunbeam Indian Art: $3,400 to develop website capabilities to increase online sales
• Than Povi: $4,400 to develop website, online sales capability and point-of-sales software for its new retail outlet

Funding was provided by LANS and the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department. The program is administered by the Regional Development Corporation. For more info, contact Vangie Trujillo at vangie@lanl.gov or Kathy Keith at kathy@rdcnm.org.