[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6626383,"mediaKeyId","2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e","parentId",2753596,"title","Quarterly economic development update highlights small‑business outreach, tourism pushes and $2M in ARPA grants","audioSeconds",1362,"startMs",791000,"endMs",2153000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e&start=791&end=2153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e/thumbnail_791000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6626383/New-Mexico/Quarterly-economic-development-update-highlights-smallbusiness-outreach-tourism-pushes-and-2M-in-ARPA-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626383-a169669ea4082caaa8f09bafd1d7c7d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146367&Signature=Sis9bagB1vY0iG5S-dmhuigT3P0ObnXf72WNdXndZizCCK3SWJ98VIOunSmmPzYAbVg9LL-UuDG3iH~EMk5UK-OXJuAGnTZeadXvWnmbYp6Ae47OMY6SE4taqEVoHPb9Q9M1xIwski7aUhYYetNp7Y8q~CEo8McdQSWvz51Hn6Cm5BDepntfcCZbdWKyvT5TLkIiuFlN-l~T0UlN2ErdGnXPw3UgsGYiSl7qIBUHUuAQspBL2Ddgz3yNFdvOdLwrtIKLLVve7lTIZAZSOVeuhgGqp5ZpjOopsaBRXPRKRoxqIkkpwxjORvysmqiEyfAlbKvlg4DAc1e5BY00w7ujKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Alamos County","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Los Alamos County and the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) presented a quarterly economic development update on March 11 that emphasized intensified small‑business outreach, tourism coordination and programs to support local entrepreneurs.

County Economic Development manager Shanna Sassen told the council the department has hired Anita Barela as an economic development program manager to lead one‑on‑one outreach to small businesses, pre‑application meetings, and change‑of‑use workshops intended to reduce costly surprises for tenants and owners who sign leases before permitting and code reviews. Sassen said surveys conducted in fall 2024 showed business owners requesting clearer information about county limits — including clarifying that the New Mexico anti‑donation clause bars local rent control — and additional help navigating funding resources.

Sassen described tourism work to recruit sporting events and niche visitor groups, including seniors and families, and steps to consolidate a public events calendar so local businesses can stagger major events. She said an organized tourism work group is helping attractions and hotels coordinate and that the county is doing outreach to bus tour operators and regional partners to expand visitor menus.

Sassen told the council the department fully distributed $2,000,000 in ARPA funds to local small businesses; 36 businesses received awards while about 20 applicants did not meet requirements. She said the department is also promoting pre‑application meetings with planning staff to help prospective tenants and property owners identify code and infrastructure needs before leases are signed.

Maureen McDaniel of LACDC reviewed LACDC programs that support the local economy: a relaunched digital Community Cash e‑gift card, Main Street and Creative District activities, a revived Chamber networking program, sponsorship of the Los Alamos Film & Culture Festival, a planned zero‑percent façade loan program, and the Lab‑Embedded Entrepreneurship Program for deep‑tech startups in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory. McDaniel said LACDC had been awarded a USDA Rural Business Development grant to support an entrepreneur in White Rock, with LACDC acting as the grant recipient and the county staff having provided a letter of support.

Councilors asked about the Council of Governments regional economic development listening session (March 13), the REDI/READY Summit timing and federal funding risks affecting tourism, and the distribution and oversight of the ARPA dollars. Staff said the USDA grant and ARPA distributions were proceeding with standard reimbursement and compliance steps and that they would share schedules and materials with councilors.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Los Alamos County - March 11, 2025 County Council Regular Session Audio - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Los Alamos County and LACDC told the council on March 11 they are expanding one‑on‑one small‑business outreach, coordinating tourism to capture niche markets and sporting events, and have allocated $2 million in ARPA funds to 36 local businesses.","taxTitle","Los Alamos, New Mexico","taxId",51137,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626385,"Council approves consent agenda, three trail grant applications and new community development director",372,4596000,4968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e&start=4596&end=4968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e/thumbnail_4596000.jpg","/articles/6626385/New-Mexico/Council-approves-consent-agenda-three-trail-grant-applications-and-new-community-development-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626385-6ae24b1895500e137daa71145abc7118/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146367&Signature=fS9zfrt00l6Io2tZmpeoo~K5IYYl2ZKSYBssrYSqkAccrfkDbSdMt5Yn3YLWsytQAMua44M~TRXOS1uDcfhCVqPIiL4jBAxvMbVGbVImz9gXM4J-uoZfINeaUpAwb7crOiC5oV6HmhIfre57crL~U93gvTwRbMPwIk6KxKQltjPIUN7rGPew4JfAeHEO0cg3DqQjYlpdoi~puJz1HkVS~bvq7yj0SwIT4xV9GvU3R4066c6QlNiUwuqFRE0dZba1KHr3ZcnB3nskVauv6S4jLqzIT4pH6jGjMk46G-VY2DgzHa0IpNl8oMgVJ7WmRTDvvWr2aZpUy~x-4e8l6vJbEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Alamos County Council on March 11 unanimously approved a set of votes that included the consent agenda, three resolutions to seek state and federal trail construction funding, and the appointment of Elias Isaacson as Community Development Department Director.

The consent agenda passed on a roll call showing six councilors present and one absent after the council adopted a last‑minute modification to the recommended appointment list for a planning and zoning board nominee. Councilors approved the consent items with the motions and staff reports included in the record.

Transportation alternatives and trails funding: The council unanimously approved three separate resolutions supporting applications to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for federal fiscal year 2026 and later funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP):

- Pinyon Elementary School Trail Connection Project (Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25‑05). Staff said the TAP/RTP program typically covers roughly 86% of eligible project costs with a county match near 14%; the staff memo cited a $700,000 total project with an approximate $100,000 local match.

- Rehabilitation of the NM‑4 Trail and Canyon Rim Trail (Resolution No. 25‑06). Staff said the award would be used to resurface and rehabilitate existing trail surfaces.

- Canada Del Buoy (Cañada del Buey / Canada del Buy?) Trail Improvement Project (Resolution No. 25‑07). Staff described this item as funding for planning, design and construction of the Cañada trail connection identified in the county’s 2017 bicycle transportation plan; planned funding would likely be staged across years for design and later construction.

County manager appointment: Council approved the manager’s selection of Elias Isaacson as the county’s Community Development Department Director; Isaacson is scheduled to start in May after relocating to the area, according to staff. The council voted unanimously to confirm the appointment.

Procedure and voting: Each of the resolutions was moved, seconded, and approved by roll call with a unanimous vote of the six councilors present and one absent for each action. Staff characterized past county success in securing TAP/RTP awards and said the county’s match obligations would be manageable within the capital program if awarded.

No formal public opposition to the measures was recorded during the meeting.

","On March 11 the Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, passed three resolutions authorizing applications to NMDOT’s Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails programs, and approved the county manager’s selection of Elias Isaacson as Community Development Director.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626387,"County hears plan to preserve 87 affordable units at Ninth Street; decision deferred",161,5477000,5638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e&start=5477&end=5638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e/thumbnail_5477000.jpg","/articles/6626387/New-Mexico/County-hears-plan-to-preserve-87-affordable-units-at-Ninth-Street-decision-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626387-0f91908ba2cc4043e5befb25a9b9ce46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146367&Signature=dnClWUMozHUQdd6Prk0Xn4T2rK-rFlGSaeujTbFUkLajg3O1t1z~RP4roRU~w67DFB6y8qrQdI4MtSWj7XzQnXSf1FsIfHvO66wIRxa5m60piPB6Wbe~THPeSqnafzg6W7yh4r9-xX~vYhvEZb-RqYBDSGBh8v9i-GQZ9MW-W~lKByYIsmqucw8sS1Poepk3jWAXnGSxtn1CYLj22ILzW~mndL6DH5JtLklyQtOa1IhxWpt71MELNJ~hetYBXTgRyILfnV5vK6DtTbvEaNHcourlOQoUoxZvZBQRcm~VidOR9RkvgqwXjkhNKsL~HIFVOyXQO9Gtsf8b4oSqDj8tSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Los Alamos County staff and a private development partner introduced a plan on March 11 to preserve 87 small rental units on Ninth and Eleventh streets under a 20‑year deed restriction intended to keep rents affordable for households at or below 45% of the area median income (AMI).

Housing Special Projects Manager Dan Osborne summarized the proposal for the Aspen Studio Apartments and Thunderbird Apartments, saying the two property groups total 87 studio units built in the 1940s and that the county’s affordable housing strategy favors preserving existing units because acquisition and deed‑restriction is faster and cheaper than building new apartments.

Osborne said the developer would contribute nearly $5 million in private capital while the county would provide two affordable housing grants: $3,480,000 to buy down long‑term rents (deed restriction) and $520,000 for capital improvements and rehabilitation. Total project uses were described as roughly $8.44 million, with acquisition at about $6.13 million and $2.3 million in rehabilitation costs. Osborne presented a rent schedule: units would start at about $900 a month in year one and increase incrementally through year seven; from years eight through 20, qualifying tenants would pay 30% of qualifying income capped to the 45% AMI formula outlined in the staff presentation. Existing tenants would be limited to a 7% year‑to‑year increase when they transition to the long‑term rent schedule, and any tenant who exceeded 80% AMI for two consecutive years would not have their lease renewed at the end of that period.

Russell Bratt, managing partner of Ninth Street Apartments LLC, described planned capital work including ADA upgrades to ground‑floor units, roof and parking repairs, and phased heating and cooling system upgrades. He said the mini‑split electric heating/cooling conversion would remove most building gas usage but some gas water heaters would remain.

Council members asked about likely tenant savings, the mechanical and electrical upgrades, and how the deed restriction and income verification would be enforced. Osborne said the county’s participation equates to about $166 per unit per month spread across the 20‑year restriction (expressed as a program‑level amortized figure), and that capital‑improvement reimbursements would be made after work is completed and inspected. Public comment included a brief statement of support from David Hampton, who said the proposal would “chip away” at local housing shortages.

The council did not vote on the proposal on March 11. Staff said the item will return to the council agenda for formal action on March 25 with a draft land development agreement, deed restriction language and implementation schedule.

Osborne and the developer said tenants would not be involuntarily displaced as part of the rehabilitation, that rehabilitation milestones must be completed within three years to receive the capital‑improvement reimbursement, and that the deed restriction would require annual reporting and allow county inspections during the 20‑year term.

The presentation cited several local housing demand metrics: long waiting lists for subsidized properties and housing choice vouchers, and local market rents for studio and one‑bedroom units ranging broadly but often above what many local workers can afford. County staff described this preservation project as targeted to households most likely to be priced out of currently available market or new units.

The council’s next review will include the draft legal documents and specific performance milestones for the rehabilitation and deed restriction.

","County staff and a private partner outlined a proposal to acquire and deed‑restrict 87 studio apartments on Ninth and Eleventh streets, preserving long‑term rental affordability for households at or below 45% of area median income; council asked questions and the proposal will return for possible approval March 25.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626375,"County to run enhanced curbside brush collection March–May to reduce wildfire risk",471,8216000,8687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e&start=8216&end=8687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e/thumbnail_8216000.jpg","/articles/6626375/New-Mexico/County-to-run-enhanced-curbside-brush-collection-MarchMay-to-reduce-wildfire-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626375-01b695156076e5b2f191f1039a3f31d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146367&Signature=hZUeNDJIhuXxDNGh5MEFTLYFbKry2vW4TCNhzM7JZU95~s3v2g5chEBpWVJcjJe5Hs368NoBRp9xbZ6pBZID0CIhKWNHDShV5QD88Lx4gTQ-wUR-rRRP33c12AozEBCK0EASOoM-QnO60AceIpsG55yytujPMy0Vbt6q029V0nDE6hfP6ecTNPDr6fehNBPNe9qAMxDdCPG3XsiOwd8YULClFarlIiUi718EpUDig9vwaEqSJfg7i2ZkrBww1Q8-ECAn5Yv2nabcs7Vy6~9YZxW8dTtJx3a0nN~NWWawq-wlIgIgZ6Da8lbjYNzL7bpuD~-aK2vc5SaoZ3FXDZ4jxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Los Alamos County announced on March 11 an enhanced brush collection program to run from March 24 through May in response to unusually dry conditions and elevated wildfire risk.

County officials said the environmental services division will expand curbside brush collection on a sign‑up basis and attempt to operate a weekly brown‑bin brush cycle during the program window instead of the usual alternating weekly schedule. Residents will sign up through the Eco Station and put brush out on their scheduled curbside collection day; staff estimated they could serve about 10–15 curbside bulk brush pickups per day depending on equipment availability and workforce.

County staff cautioned that enhanced service will require reprioritizing some work: standard bulk pickups for furniture and appliances may be delayed during the campaign and some equipment repairs (grinder and grapple) must be completed to maintain capacity. Staff said the Eco Station has a growing mulch pile and is seeking outlets and partners to take mulch as the program ramps up.

As an interim customer accommodation, staff said some curbside bulk brush pickups will be counted against residents’ existing allotment of free Eco Station loads; the county indicated it might use a conversion such as three free loads equaling one bulk brush collection, subject to final program rules.

Officials urged residents to avoid contaminating wood mulch piles with rocks and metal, which increase mechanical failures of grinders, and said more details and a press release would follow.

","Los Alamos County will run an enhanced brush collection effort from March 24 through May to reduce wildfire risk after a dry winter; the program will offer weekly curbside brush collection by sign‑up and expand brown‑bin/brush pickups while staff repair equipment and manage capacity.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6626379,"Organizer says Atomic City Winter Classic draws teams, visitors to Los Alamos; asks to return to holiday weekend",382,215000,597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e&start=215&end=597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2753596-660e888ca7f1322cb7753b80c121582e/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6626379/New-Mexico/Organizer-says-Atomic-City-Winter-Classic-draws-teams-visitors-to-Los-Alamos-asks-to-return-to-holiday-weekend","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6626379-c12f38ad5ebe7bdb660ccec3e2bf38bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146367&Signature=GURhdIVfXlmnJcaFAbMk7f1ArmVX5nRTYNShTUeftq0EItoCbws8Znu5slQGt050HWLcY0DNhyMHZA8D2AHZVgdnHLR5LdLR7SS4zVMplj2Kc2yLod7nDREey6QPW3~U7dA~qLXmyRxaFcjmCRXGXuTEFwiFvPGGIIrwP6sPJre4kbFMnKD80DsLPlmhdJnMqAv3uknGIiQMNJqAo9ii1h5p5jZtcDmFYstn8am8I5Cf2bxGUYZM3m71OAJgCOAicRequZiYqQUJ1D5Sg8jAVHkj4~HKyrU1f68EEm9pVtvC1bVIgPAKbAQHp6GzHaQAd8grqArndp74fw9bVnKZ0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oscar Salas, organizer of the Atomic City Winter Classic adult hockey tournament, told the Los Alamos County Council on March 11 that the event’s eighth annual edition produced meaningful weekend tourism and asked the council to consider returning the tournament to the Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend to increase participation and hotel stays.

Salas said the January event fielded 16 teams and about 224 adult players who traveled to Los Alamos from locations including Durango, El Paso, Dallas, Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque and other communities; two California teams had to be turned away because the tournament filled. The single‑weekend event produced 32 games over three days and required moving six games to Santa Fe because of demand.

Salas reported that a survey of players showed roughly 65% of participants stayed in Los Alamos hotels (primarily the Holiday Inn Express), 8% stayed in hotels outside Los Alamos, 8% used short‑term rentals such as VRBO/Airbnb, and 16% commuted from nearby cities. He said the tournament contracted local food and beverage vendors, hired local high‑school students to run scoreboards and worked with Discover Los Alamos to distribute player goodie bags.

Salas asked the council to consider allowing the tournament to return to its previous holiday weekend scheduling to increase hotel occupancy and local spending. He also presented council members with tournament shirts and memorabilia and invited a photo with players and volunteers.

Councilors thanked him for the presentation and for organizing an event that brought visitors to town off the peak tourist season.

","The organizer of the eighth annual Atomic City Winter Classic adult hockey tournament told the Council the event brought teams from Colorado, Texas, California and around New Mexico, produced hotel stays and local spending, and asked to return the tournament to Martin Luther King Day weekend to boost future tourism.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Quarterly economic development update highlights small‑business outreach, tourism pushes and $2M in ARPA grants

Council approves consent agenda, three trail grant applications and new community development director

County hears plan to preserve 87 affordable units at Ninth Street; decision deferred

County to run enhanced curbside brush collection March–May to reduce wildfire risk

Organizer says Atomic City Winter Classic draws teams, visitors to Los Alamos; asks to return to holiday weekend