Business in New Mexico

As required by state law, New Mexico Department of Agriculture issues licenses to businesses/individuals cultivating hemp.

Pesticide Compliance works to ensure compliance with pesticide laws and regulations concerning the use of pesticides.

Local Economic Development Act, provides assistance to economic base businesses looking to grow or relocate in New Mexico. Since 2002, a record 83 New Mexico communities have now passed a Local Economic Development Act (LEDA). Through passing LEDA, a community adopts an ordinance creating an economic development organization and a strategic plan. The enactment and utilization of LEDA allows public support of economic development to foster, promote, and enhance local economic development efforts while continuing to protect against the unauthorized use of public money and other public resources. This empowers communities to embark on economic development projects tailored to their LOCAL needs. In essence, LEDA is used to enter into a “public private partnership” for an economic benefit.

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 50-75% of employee wages. Custom training at a New Mexico public educational institution may also be reimbursed.

The Construction Industries Division protects consumers by regulating the industry through policies that promote business growth, safety, and general welfare of the public.

The Boards and Commissions Division licenses and regulates more than 30 different professions and specialized trades, from accountants to funeral directors. This division establishes specialized standards on education and training to ensure New Mexicans receive quality care and services from qualified professionals.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division issues, transfers, and revokes liquor licenses as per the provisions set forth in the Liquor Control Act. It also administers the Alcohol Server Training Program.

The Motor Vehicle Division’s Online Services page allows New Mexicans to take care of some of the most common MVD transactions, such as renewing their licenses and registrations, from the comfort of their own homes. It can be found at the link below.

Facilitating Fair and Open Competition - Our mission is to obtain “best value” in acquisitions through compliance with the New Mexico procurement code, providing training, reaching out to vendors, engaging with all executive branch agencies, enriching the Chief Procurement Officer Program, ensuring a fair and open procurement process and continually maximizing the benefit to the state.

Need help navigating the workers' compensation system? The WCA's Ombudsman Program provides a neutral source of information for workers, employers and other parties. The service is free of charge.

The eServices page provides resources for electronic submission of information. E-Services available include: Employer Coverage Look Up, Electronic Case Filing, Electronic Data Interchange and Inpatient Hospital Date Filing.

Getting back to work as quickly as possible is important. Once the HCP indicates it is all right to do so, a worker can return to work (RTW). At that point, it is important to contact the employer, even if work is to be done on a limited basis. Keep the employer and claims adjuster informed about medical progress.

What is Workers' Compensation? Workers' compensation is a system of insurance that protects workers and employers from some of the losses caused by on-the-job accidents and job-related illnesses.

Safety is a priority in any workplace, and strong safety standards help prevent accidents. Keeping workplace accidents at a minimum helps keep insurance costs down and makes for a more productive workplace. WCA safety consultants provide a range of free safety services for the workplace, such as consultations and inspections. The WCA also publishes two booklets devoted to safety.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The Small Business Administration has 20 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.

The Capital Outlay Bureau (COB) is responsible for coordinating the funding and administration of capital projects under the statutory authority of the State Budget Division, Department of Finance and Administration.

New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration added the Federal Grant Bureau to the organizational structure to work directly with state agencies to track federal funding received by the state, notify agencies of federal funding opportunities available, and aid with grant applications. Lastly, staff will assist agencies with internal federal grant accounting, audit, and monitoring issues that may hold an agency back from receiving federal funds.

The Department of Finance and Administration, Local Government Division (LGD), provides administrative and technical support to local entities throughout the State of New Mexico.

A program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico MainStreet works throughout the state to help affiliated local organizations create an economically viable business environment while preserving cultural and historic resources.

In fiscal year 2016 the Certified Communities Initiative (CCI) evolved into the LEADS Program. LEADS is a funding program for economic development projects that produce sustainable outcomes. The funding provided through LEADS is intended to create jobs through recruitment, retention/expansion and startup activities; develop the tax base; and provide incentives for business development. LEADS applications will be evaluated based on these objectives.

Capital Outlay funds are used to build, improve or equip physical property that will be used by the public. Roads, computers, museums, playgrounds, schools, irrigation ditches, hospitals, lands, and furniture can all be capital outlay projects.

NMDA issues a broad array of licenses, permits and registrations. Visit the program area to find the one you’re interested in.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard and reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The Small Business Administration has 20 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.

The New Mexico Environment Department Food Safety Bureau protects public health by permitting, inspecting and providing technical assistance to food establishments in New Mexico to prevent foodborne illness. The Bureau also permits events where food will be served, like county and state fairs.

The New Mexico Environment Department is responsible for permitting hemp warehouses, extraction facilities, manufacturing facilities, and processing facilities throughout New Mexico to ensure consumer health is protected.

The Occupational Health and Safety Bureau works to ensure that all employees in New Mexico have a safe and healthful workplace.

On November 30, 2021, the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee approved the Cannabis Microbusiness Loan Program, a new $5 million program that will offer affordable loans to licensed cannabis microbusinesses.

The Cannabis Control Division oversees licensing and compliance under the Cannabis Regulation Act, Lynn and Erin Compassion Use Act, and rules promulgated by the division in the interest of regulating a new industry in New Mexico while protecting public health and safety.

As part of our commitment to New Mexicans, we have compiled these financial education resources for a better understanding of how consumers can improve their financial future. The Department offers a variety of information and resources to educate consumers regarding financial topics.

The New Mexico Film Office, a division of the Economic Development Department, serves the film and television industry locally, nationally and internationally. Our purpose is to market the state to this industry, service the productions, and create jobs for New Mexicans. The office is headed by Director Amber Dodson.

The Outdoor Recreation Division works to ensure that all New Mexicans gain from the public health, environmental, and economic benefits of sustainable outdoor recreation. The department is headed by Acting Director Alyssa Renwick.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law by President Biden in 2021, Congress has allocated $10 billion to increase small businesses access to equity and debt capital through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI 2.0) program. Administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the funds are distributed to each state, territory, and Tribal jurisdiction. EDD is administering New Mexico’s SSBCI 2.0 allocation. To support business growth in New Mexico and to create and retain jobs, EDD encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses in underserved markets. EDD can pledge cash to cover a collateral shortfall of a loan to enable financing that otherwise might not be available to a small business. Preference is given to business owners who are women, US Veterans, ethnic minorities, or part of other socially disadvantaged groups. Special focus is on (but not limited to) projects in industries related to: intelligent manufacturing, sustainable & green industries, value-added agriculture, outdoor recreation, film & media located in rural areas. Loan proceeds can be used toward the following: Any tangible or intangible asset purchase, including; construction, renovation or improvements of an eligible place of business Start-up costs Working capital Franchise fees Equipment Inventory Bridge loans needed prior to the borrower obtaining permanent financing or support