PLANNING HIGHLIGHTS

Empowering Business Spirit Initiative – A Kellogg Foundation Project

In XXXX, a coalition of organizations that work with entrepreneurs and small businesses in northern New Mexico was awarded a $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of a national rural entrepreneurship development initiative. The coalition was led by the Regional Development Corporation.  NCNMEDD was one of the project’s initial partners and developers.
The Kellogg initiative, which awarded grants to a total of six coalitions and organizations across the country, commemorated the Michigan-based foundation’s 75th anniversary. More than 180 groups responded to the Request for Proposals for the competitive grant selection process.
“Planning districts like NCNMEDD build the foundation for entrepreneurial development by helping our members with policy, planning and infrastructure,” said Barbara Deaux, Executive Director.  “This project forges the links among policy, technical assistance, access to capital, workforce development and programs for youth in a new way.”
The announcement was made June 9, XXXX at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center with various state legislators, local elected officials and representatives from the participating organizations on hand. The $2-million grant covered a three-year period.
The twenty participating organizations aimed to increase access to services for entrepreneurs in Rio Arriba, Taos, Mora, and San Miguel counties through the newly funded partnership, called The Empowering Business Spirit (EBS) Initiative. Through the partnership, technical service providers, business capital lenders, educational institutions, governmental agencies and policy-centered organizations were to create a virtual service network for potential and practicing entrepreneurs.
The goal of the EBS Initiative was to build a small business friendly environment in northern New Mexico. Organizers wanted to see emerging entrepreneurs encouraged and nurtured by the state’s educational system, government policy, experienced business coaches and consultants, peers and organizations that provide business capital.  Among the EBS tools available to small business owners is a web portal, www.bizport.org, that offers entrepreneurs an easy way to find information about partner services, regional events and news.
The EBS Initiative is managed by the partners through a Partnership Council.  A full-time marketing coordinator and 15 community representatives will act as grassroots links between entrepreneurs and EBS service providers.

Partners include the following organizations: WESST Corp, ACCION New Mexico, Native American Lending Group, Taos County Economic Development Corporation, San Miguel Las Vegas Economic Development Corporation, Highlands University, Northern New Mexico ENLACE, Greater Espanola Valley Community Development Corporation, Santa Fe Community College, Small Business Development Centers, North Central New Mexico Economic Development District, Los Alamos National Laboratory- Technology Transfer Division, New Mexico Economic Development Department, New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund, Las Tapetes de Lana, Taos Business Alliance for Economic Development, Tsay Corporation, New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program, University of California, Northern New Mexico Office, and the Regional Development Corporation.

For more information, please call 505-827-7313 or check www.bizport.org.

North Central NM Economic Development District, District 2
P.O. Box 5115 Santa Fe, NM 87502
Phone: 866-699-4927, 505-827-7313 Fax: 505-827-7414
Tim Armer, Executive Director