Quarterly economic-vitality update highlights housing pipeline, small-business outreach and tourism recovery

Los Alamos County staff delivered a quarterly update on economic-vitality efforts at the June 17 work session, reporting progress on housing, business retention and expansion, downtown revitalization, tourism, events and community broadband.

Housing: Dan Osborne (housing and special projects manager) reported upward movement on preservation and new-housing pipelines. Notable items include closeout of the Ninth Street deed‑restriction preservation work (closing imminent), ongoing partnerships with Santa Fe Community Housing Trust to administer rehabilitation loans and down-payment assistance, planned coordination with Housing New Mexico on weatherization funding for low‑to‑moderate income homeowners, and the recent draft North Mesa Transportation and Utility Study (staff expect $5–8 million of infrastructure needs there). Osborne listed several projects at various stages: Canyon Walk and The Bluffs (134 units combined), Mirador (transfer property), Sherwood Rounds (entitlements under review), Arbelotta/Arbelada (recent sketch plan approval for 137 units), and others. He noted the county’s new dedicated quarter‑cent GRT funding for housing will be leveraged to support projects and match outside grants.

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Staff said code changes in recent years clarified where ADUs are allowed, but no ADU permit applications have been issued since the update; staff suggested an outreach/education program to let residents know whether their lot qualifies and how to apply.

Business retention and downtown revitalization: Dr. Shanna Sasser (economic development director) and LA CDC representatives described intensified outreach to local businesses, a new “check‑in” intake for business needs (staffer Anita Barela), regional outreach to site selectors and tribal economic developers, timelines to implement a downtown sign‑code update and a draft Main Street/Creative District program, and plans for a Veil Leader retail support program (application and eligibility being refined). Staff described pilot efforts to assist DP Road businesses during construction with additional sandwich signs and direct outreach.

Tourism and events: Staff presented visitor and event-data trends showing tourism recovering toward pre‑pandemic levels but not yet back to 2019 figures. County staff consolidated community and tourism event calendars, participated in regional outdoor-recreation planning, and pursued niche tourism markets (senior groups, outdoor recreation). Staff also reported coordination with tour‑guide networks and outreach to Bandelier and neighboring visitor centers to encourage routing visitors to Los Alamos businesses.

Broadband and infrastructure: Deputy County Manager Juan Veil said high‑level fiber‑network design is approved and physical installation (11 miles of county‑contributed fiber) is underway, with county contribution of $2,000,000 and ongoing work to finalize a long‑term operations agreement.

Community-development partners: Laura McDaniel of Los Alamos Community Development Corporation (LA CDC) reported business-marketing support, a small‑business 401(k) program to help employers recruit and retain staff, a relaunched facade-loan program (LA CDC board committed up to $100,000), visitor services coordination, and ongoing collaboration on a unified online business directory. LA CDC said it is working with the county and Main Street to amplify support for small businesses during DP Road construction and other downtown activity.

Councilors asked for more data on vacancies, parking rules that affect housing and parking-minimum reconsideration, and a briefing on ADU rules and parking requirements as part of forthcoming code amendments. No formal action was taken; staff said they will follow up with more detailed metrics and consider outreach materials on ADUs and business-resource guides.