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