U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5.4 Million to Support Workforce Development and Disaster Recovery in New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $5.4 million in the state of New Mexico to support economic and workforce development following natural disasters in the state.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Mora County will receive a $3 million EDA grant to support construction of the Mora County Complex which will house county operations, provide small business support, and economic development activities. The project will be matched with $750,000 in local funds.
• The city of Las Vegas will receive a $1.9 million EDA grant to support planning, design, and construction to revitalize the Douglas-Sixth Historic District to support business and economic growth. The project will be matched with $462,500 in local funds.
• Luna Community College, Las Vegas, will receive a $500,000 EDA grant for the development of a Wildfire Resiliency Training Center to support workforce development and economic diversification in the region. The project will be matched with $165,000 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring all communities in New Mexico and across the country have the resources needed to not only recover from natural disasters, but also grow and prosper,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will support Mora County and the city of Las Vegas as they recover and rebuild after devastating wildfires and flooding.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to assist Mora County and Las Vegas in their disaster recovery work to develop strong, resilient regional economies.”

“The EDA is a valuable partner for New Mexico, and these grants provide much needed relief to a significant pain point in our communities,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Addressing disaster preparedness and building a skilled workforce are essential components of economic development, which is crucial to the health of our rural communities.”

“As Northern New Mexico communities continue to rebuild from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, I’m focused on bringing home investments that provide New Mexicans the relief they are owed while creating lasting economic opportunity for the future,” said Senator Martin Heinrich. “These investments in Mora County and the City of Las Vegas will do just that — helping make communities whole again and driving economic development for the future. We look forward to continuing to welcome investments across New Mexico from this program.”

“I’m proud to welcome these critical investments to New Mexico to help expand economic opportunities, support local businesses, and boost our workforce pipeline,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “These investments will help support construction of the Mora County Complex, restore Douglas-Sixth Historic District, and develop a Wildfire Resiliency Training Center in Las Vegas to help protect our communities from wildfires while expanding our local workforce.”

“Communities in Mora County and Las Vegas are too familiar with the struggle to clean up and rebuild after wildfires. This $5.4 million investment will fund a Wildfire Resiliency Training Center to better prepare our communities for wildfires and revitalize our infrastructure to boost New Mexico’s economy,” said Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “The Biden-Harris administration continues to show its commitment to supporting local economies in New Mexico and across the country. I’m proud to have voted for the legislation that granted these funds.”

These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.