News and Media

Carlsbad is Open and Ready to Celebrate Park and Recreation Month

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

July is Park and Recreation Month and Carlsbad, New Mexico, is known for its outdoor spaces. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, Brantley Lake State Park, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, and Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area enrich the excellent quality of life enjoyed by residents and create a vacation destination for visitors. They are also major economic drivers. Now that New Mexico is opening up from pandemic restrictions, programming is once again in full swing: Carlsbad is open and ready to be enjoyed. “Carlsbad is the gateway to two national parks and home to two state park...

15 Organizations Receive Economic Development Grants

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – Nearly $260,000 has been awarded to 15 local economic development organizations through LEADS, Local Economic Assistance & Development Support, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) announced today. Grant amounts ranged from $7,400 to $25,000 and funding is provided on a cost reimbursement basis. Funding provided through LEADS is intended to create jobs through recruitment, retention, expansion, and startup activities; develop the tax base; and provide incentives for business development. “LEADS is an important program because it allows us to invest in strong initiatives and collaborate with local communities as we work together to create jobs,” Economic Developmen...

Carlsbad, NM Economic Department of Development Recognizes National Homeownership Month

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Any month can be “homeownership month” when you are purchasing a home. The Carlsbad Department of Development recognizes National Homeownership Month during June and beyond by raising awareness about the benefits that homeownership brings to families, neighborhoods, and communities alike. The real estate market is thriving, and Carlsbad is working to make homeownership a reality for individuals who dream of owning their own home. Why Homeownership Matters Owning a home is a cornerstone of the “American Dream.” Homeownership produces a sense of pride, financial stability, and equity. Many homeowners benefit from tax deductions and affordable monthly mortgage payments that are lower than th...

Carlsbad Museum and Art Center gets new name and logo

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

The Carlsbad Museum and Art Center returned to its roots after a name change approved by Carlsbad City Councilors. Founded in 1931 as the first municipal museum in New Mexico, the museum was known as the Carlsbad Museum or Carlsbad Municipal Museum. In the 1980s it became the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center, read a memo from City of Carlsbad Municipal Services Director Angie Barrios-Testa. Councilors approved the name change June 8 after a presentation at the May 25 meeting by Jameson Lucas IV of Open Minds Awake, a brand and design creative agency. Read full article.

New Mexico's economic outlook continues to improve

Monday, June 14, 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – State lawmakers received a promising update about New Mexico's economy during a state interim committee meeting Monday. New Mexico businesses are expanding, according to the update. Intel, for example, is adding 700 new jobs. "We feel like this investment, which is an additional 700 jobs and 3.5 billion dollars of CapEx that they're going to spend, is not only going to be a huge uplift for that community of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, but it's also going to put this facility in line for potential federal funding,” said Alicia Keyes, cabinet secretary of the Economic Development Department. Read full article.

Carlsbad Police get $101K grant from State for Enhanced 911 system

Friday, June 11, 2021

A $101,000 grant from the State of New Mexico should improve emergency telephone services at the Carlsbad Police Department. Tuesday night, the Carlsbad City Council approved a grant agreement for fiscal year 2022 with the Local Government Division of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) for the Enhanced 911 Act. The New Mexico State Board of Finance awarded the grant to the City of Carlsbad May 18 for enhanced 911 services and equipment, read the agreement with the State. Read full article.

Here's How These Businesses Exploded During the Pandemic

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

It’s been incredibly interesting to watch just how the world has responded to the Covid-19 crisis. Some businesses and individuals didn’t seem to respond or pivot at all, but a select group of companies figured out how to not only stay afloat, but also thrive in the midst of this pandemic. These companies, the successful amidst the chaos, act as a compelling case study for many economists around the globe (since this is truly all unprecedented), and for myself. I’ve been looking at the companies that have actually grown during Covid-19, and I dug into just how they’ve been able to do it. Hopefully, this insight wil...

Front Line: Infrastructure Upgrades Vital to U.S. Economy

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

One of President Joe Biden’s first acts was to announce a $2.3 trillion bill to repair and upgrade the nation’s infrastructure. The bill addresses what has become a perennial topic of debate in Congress, and one that has repeatedly been set aside for action at some future date. It has been well-documented across the United States that years of neglect have resulted in roads and bridges in dire need of repair, outdated public transportation, subpar Internet service, and other critical infrastructure needs. In its most recent report card on the condition of America’s infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE...

In Focus: The Effects of the Pandemic on Industrial Design

Tuesday, June 01, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every facet of our economy, increasing a cultural reliance on e-commerce that is here to stay. Retailers have responded by minimizing square footage of brick-and-mortar store fronts, keeping less inventory on site, and focusing more on entertainment and experiential retail to keep shoppers engaged. As a result, the need for warehousing and industrial space has exploded, driving the desire for large-scale, innovative facilities that maximize efficiency and logistical operations. The literal driving force behind the industrial surge is the expansion of transportation capabilities worldwide, with international trade becoming the engine of the global economy. Goods ar...

Spectacular Carlsbad Caverns: Tourism and Economic Benefits

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

National Parks are some of the best destinations to visit in the U.S., and one of those gems is Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Hidden beneath the Chihuahuan Desert’s deep rocky canyons, flowering cactus, and wildlife are ancient caves of all sizes that were formed when the slow drip of water ladened with sulfuric acid dissolved the limestone. The allure of Carlsbad Caverns National Park brings in major tourism that has substantial economic benefits for the community. Quoted in a press release, Douglas Neighbor, Superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns, said, “National Park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returnin...

$200 Million in LEDA Recovery Grants Available

Friday, May 14, 2021

Grants of Up to $100,000 For Businesses to Hire Employees SANTA FE, N.M. – Applications are now being accepted for Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) Recovery Grants of up to $100,000, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) and New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) announced today. The temporary relief fund was created in the 2021 Legislative Session to help businesses that were hit the hardest by the pandemic. Applications are due no later than June 15, 2021. “We know that small businesses are the lifeline of New Mexico's economy; their success and stability is critical for building a successful and sustainable recovery," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said...

8 Strategies For Lowering Your Startup Costs

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Starting a business can cost tens of thousands of dollars, even if you’re working with something small and lean. If you’re trying to launch a business that requires heavy equipment, or if you’re looking to expand quickly, you might need millions. It’s likely that you will face a financial burden upon entering the world of entrepreneurship. Fortunately, there are many strategies you can use to get the funding necessary to cover the expenses, such as working with a VC, an angel investor, or crowdfunding. But you may still need to call upon some creative tactics to reduce the expenses your business i...

New Mexico Makes an Elite List of Top Economic Development Projects

Monday, May 10, 2021

May 10th, 2021 – The State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque have been recognized for closing one of the most impactful economic development projects of 2020. Site Selection, an international publication of business expansion and economic development, annually recognizes the Top 20 Deals in North America. The Netflix expansion in Albuquerque has made the most recent list of top 20 deals. It is the first time New Mexico has been chosen by Site Selection for Top 20 Deal recognition. “Netflix’s decision to expand in New Mexico comes at a time when we are working toward a strong, diversified economic recovery,&rdquo...

State Accepting Applications for the 2021 Outdoor Equity Fund

Monday, May 03, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – Applications for the Outdoor Equity Fund to support New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy are open, Director of the Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) Axie Navas announced today. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2021 by 5 pm MT. Now in its second year, the first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund supports organizations who focus on improving equitable access to the outdoors for local youth. The grant was created to foster transformative outdoor experiences, stewardship, and respect for New Mexico’s land, water, and cultural heritage. Spending time outside is more important than ever for our mental and physical well-being an...

The plain truth about virtual site visits for commercial real estate

Monday, May 03, 2021

There's a lot of talk and excitement among economic developers about using virtual tours to profile commercial real estate to potential investors and site selectors who may not be able to visit in person because of the pandemic. We get that - it IS genuinely exciting. There are so many compelling new ways to let people see a property - inside and out - from the comfort and safety of their offices. Even after the pandemic recedes, this will remain an excellent way to engage and inform businesses making location decisions. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of miscommunication and misinformation about what virtua...

During Economic Development Week Carlsbad, NM Celebrates Its Growth During the Pandemic

Friday, April 30, 2021

The sixth annual National Economic Development Week is May 9-15, 2021. National Economic Development Week was created in 2016 by the International Economic Development Council — the largest professional membership organization for economic developers — to recognize the unique role that economic development has in creating flourishing communities with strong economies. The Carlsbad New Mexico Department of Development is doing the work every day to support its business owners and residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a trying time, but through it all, Carlsbad’s diversified and robust economy continued its trajectory of growth. With so many companies succeeding, Carlsbad’s well-paid workforc...

Southeastern NM Business Finance Fair connects businesses to financial resources

Thursday, April 29, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – In an effort to assist businesses in obtaining the financial resources they need, and help lenders find projects they wish to finance, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) is hosting another finance fair, this time geared toward businesses and lenders located in Southeastern New Mexico, EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced today. The online event will take place on June 9, 2021 from 12 – 2 p.m. Business Finance Fairs are part of an EDD initiative which seeks to connect funding entities with local projects. The Finance Fair debuted on July 17, 2019 in Taos...

State Approves Job Training Funds for 575 Trainees

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) board approved $2.8 million in funding to 15 companies to train and upskill a total of 575 employees, Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced. This tranche of companies approved at the April JTIP board meeting included three that have never applied for JTIP funding before, DeeDee’s Finest Beef Jerky in Española and Pronto Signs and Solstar Space Company in Santa Fe. Additionally, of the 15 awarded companies, six of them have received JTIP funding only once before. “JTIP is a proven tool to help businesses create jobs and keep them in Ne...

Airports in Eddy and Lincoln Counties Receive Nearly $1M for Improvements

Monday, April 19, 2021

Nine airports in New Mexico, including those in Eddy and Lincoln counties, received $1.7 million in federal grants for various improvements, U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) announced. She said the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the funds to airports in the Second Congressional District. Sierra Blanca Regional Airport was awarded $600,000, the most of any airport in the district, to reconstruct 6,300 feet of taxiway and 6,300 feet of runway, read the press release. Read full article.

EDD Announces New Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator

Monday, April 19, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Economic Development Department (EDD) is excited to announce that Shani Harvie will be stepping into a newly created position as Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator (JEDI Coordinator), EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced today. Harvie will be responsible for connecting minorityowned businesses and community organizations in underserved communities with economic development programs, resources, and opportunities. The position, approved through Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office, will work to address systemic inequities and create equitable representation for all New Mexico businesses, while ensuring diversity and inclusion are prioritized moving forward. Read full article.

Adventure Vision Brings Eye Care to Children in Rural New Mexico

Friday, April 16, 2021

CARLSBAD, N.M., April 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In just five counties of rural New Mexico, more than 16,000 children are insured by Medicaid, but only 3% of these children have had an eye exam in the past year because, in these areas, there are not enough providers who offer appointments for children on Medicaid. At Adventure Vision, we are committed to making an impact on the access to care issue. Our mission is to provide vision care to children in underserved areas. This year, Adventure Vision is setting out to bring vision care to children in the more rural area...

How To Be Creative As An Entrepreneur

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

You might think that creativity requires the antithesis of rules and regulation. Even the thought of being creative conjures up images of disorder. Messy rooms, paint everywhere, scraps of paper with ideas scrawled across them. The frantic creative genius works away, oblivious to the world around them. Chaos. Method in madness. Flashes of brilliance among a cluttered existence. The best entrepreneurs are creative. They need to find ways of solving old and new problems. They picture a world that doesn’t yet exist, they bring products to life using only their imagination. They think of ways to move forward, grow bigger an...

In Focus: Driving Economic Prosperity Through Entrepreneurism

Monday, April 05, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic plunged the world into a deep health and economic crisis. The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine points to a “light at the end of the tunnel” for the country’s physical health, but as we collectively take stock for ways to rebuild our economy stronger and more resilient than before, we need to remember what works. Entrepreneurism has been, and will continue to be, a driver of long-term economic growth. The economic free fall brought about by the coronavirus was unexpected and unprecedented. Experts are still attempting to fully understand, quantify, and predict the full extent of the fallout...

The Secret To Business Survival In Today’s Tough Market

Sunday, April 04, 2021

As we were ringing in 2020, it’s safe to say that almost no one could have imagined the novel year that was virtually at our doorsteps. Like a monsoon, Covid-19 arrived, and with it a plethora of changes to not only how we live and work, but how business is conducted. Quarantines and lockdowns became a way of life, forcing companies to transform how they operate. Office staff, sales reps, and others who were considered non-essential workers began working from home. In-person meetings and sales calls became a thing of the past, replaced by collaboration tools to boost the efficiency o...

One Year After The First Wave Of Pandemic Jobs Losses, U.S. Adds Nearly A Million Jobs In March

Friday, April 02, 2021

A year after the devastating first wave of pandemic-related job losses came to light, the U.S. added 916,000 jobs in March, the Labor Department said. It’s an encouraging sign on the anniversary of what was an especially distressing week for the workforce. Weekly jobless claims surged to a staggering 6.65 million for the week ending March 28, 2020. At the time, it was the highest level ever recorded. That month, the U.S. economy lost a total of 701,000 jobs in the first payroll decline since 2010. This March, the unemployment rate fell slightly to 6%—down from 6.2% in February. It’s a stark difference from the unemployment rat...

Enjoy the Outdoors and Life on the Water in Carlsbad, NM

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

One reason the quality of life is superb in Carlsbad, NM is because the pioneers knew what they were doing when they settled along the Pecos River. When you think of Carlsbad, desert and caverns may come to mind, but right in town there are miles of riverfront walkways and trails, boating, fishing, and the popular Lake Carlsbad Beach Park. Travel a mere 12 miles north and the wide open spaces of Lake Brantley State Park are there to enjoy. In Carlsbad, it is easy to play as hard as you work. It is apparent why Carlsbad topped the lis...

Ring Lights And Late Nights: How The Remote Revolution Has Changed The Workforce

Thursday, March 11, 2021

It’s been one year since the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, forcing companies across the country to close their office doors. Today, nearly half (47%) of American employees are currently working from home at least part of the time, according to a study by Glassdoor. As vaccine production and distribution ramps up, some employers have announced definitive return-to-work dates. Others have committed to permanent remote-work arrangements, and freelance platform Upwork expects that 36.2 million Americans will be working from home by 2025, an 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels—and a sign that this grand experiment in telecommuting has done more than just make Zoo...

State Focuses on Rebuilding Industry Jobs

Tuesday, March 02, 2021

When the Great Recession ended in 2009, it took the United States five years to regain lost jobs. In New Mexico, recovery took twice that long, with the state surpassing its pre-recession employment levels just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the economy to a halt. It was a lost decade of job growth that stalled upward mobility for workers and families and forced college graduates – New Mexico’s future – to leave the state for opportunities elsewhere. The reason it took twice as long to recover: New Mexico’s answer to tight budgets was to cut economic development investments in the LEDA fun...

Governor Lujan Grisham Applauds Economic Security Measures

Monday, March 01, 2021

SANTA FE, N.M. – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes applaud key legislative initiatives that will grow the economy, create jobs, and provide for a new layer of economic security for New Mexico families and businesses. The stimulus and relief measures are significant in reach, tackling all aspects of the pandemic-related economic emergency, including direct assistance to front-line workers, grants for small businesses, innovative licensing reforms, local purchasing initiatives, and long-term investments in early childhood education. Gov. Lujan Grisham's executive budget recommendation included almost half a billion dollars for pandemic relief. The governor pledged to wor...

Gov. Lujan Grisham signs House Bill 11, delivering $200M to N.M. businesses

Friday, February 26, 2021

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 11 into law, delivering $200 million in grants to support New Mexico businesses to ease the hiring or rehiring of employees. “New Mexico will continue to get meaningful financial assistance out the door to businesses all across the state,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our economy will bounce back. And businesses will get back on their feet.” “We are grateful to Governor Lujan Grisham for her support on House Bill 11, and for all of her leadership throughout this challenging year,” said Speaker of the House Brian Egolf. “We convened the 2021 sessio...

Marketing Tips For Early-Stage Startups

Friday, February 26, 2021

Every business needs a way to tell its customers about its products and services. Those marketing channels differ from one business to another and can change as the business grows. And just like everything else in business, marketing needs an investment. In the earliest stages of a startup, this investment is usually best spent developing a product customers need. Imagine that you have just developed two brand new products. Product one has great signs of possible product-market fit based on customer interviews and the validation experiments data. Yet, you have no marketing budget for it. Product two is not validated at all, but you hav...

How To Attract Remote Workers To Your Community

Monday, February 22, 2021

You know you need remote workers, now let's talk about how to attract remote workers to your community. REMOTE WORKERS bring an abundance of advantages to a local workforce, from growing the tax base to diversifying the labor pool. As remote work continues to grow, more communities will benefit from adding remote workers to their local workforce. WAYS TO ATTRACT REMOTE WORKERS TO YOUR COMMUNITY REMOTE WORK IS THE NEW NORM Nearly two-thirds of U.S. workers who have been working remotely during the pandemic want to continue to work from home, according to a GALLUP POLL. Between April and May 2020, the number of remote workers in the U.S. doubled, GALLUP REPORTS...

New Housing Options in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Carlsbad, New Mexico is a desirable place to live with an enviable quality of life. With a population that has seen tremendous growth over the past 10 years, Carlsbad's cost of living is 23.9% lower than the U.S. average. Carlsbad has also seen its job market increase by 8.5% over the last year. Eddy County — home to Carlsbad, Loving, and Artesia — was assessed by financial consulting firm SmartAsset to be New Mexico’s leading county in terms of business growth with a seven percent business growth rate and an incoming investment index of 61.86. The study evaluated the number o...

How to Host Better Virtual Meetings

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

If you’re like most professionals, you spent a lot of time in virtual meetings in 2020 and will in 2021 — more than you ever thought possible in, say, 2015. And if you’re like most professionals meeting virtually, you’ve lamented the fact that they could be better. Virtual meetings suffer many of the same drawbacks as traditional meetings, including poor organization, bloated time slots and disinterested attendees. But they also suffer from a batch of problems uniquely their own, including intermittent delays, connectivity issues and the dreaded patterns of ongoing interruptions. And of course, virtual meetings aren’t going anywhere. Many businesses that transitioned t...

Lawmakers push bill to expand broadband in New Mexico

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Lawmakers are proposing a bill that would help expand broadband to everyone in the state. Eight House Democrats are sponsoring the bill, also known as the Connect New Mexico Act. It would give $950,000 to the state Department of Information Technology to create a new broadband division. "And that division can coordinate state and local and federal resources to get every community in New Mexico connected," said Rep. Natalie Figueroa. Read full article.

New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division announces new toolkit to support rural outdoor economies

Thursday, February 04, 2021

Earlier this month the NM Outdoor Recreation Division announced the development of the Rural Economic Development Toolkit, an effort to help rural communities better their outdoor economies. The collection of best practices aims to provide such communities, as well as state and local officials, with information on how to build an effective outdoor recreation economy. According to a news release, it will offer opportunities for sustainable economic and community development, and provide a list of federal grants that can aid in lifting such economies off of the ground. The department plans to share the toolkit with state outdoor recreation office, industry businesse...

4 Keys To Startup Success In Crowded Markets

Monday, February 01, 2021

Many would-be entrepreneurs spend a lot of time trying to think of the next big thing. Most end up spinning their wheels and never getting a new venture off the ground. It’s hard to come up with an original business idea. However, if you look at some of the most successful businesses in the world, you'll find that they aren't based on new ideas at all. The truth is that you don't have to be original to start a successful business. Many startups succeed in crowded markets by doing their homework and executing their business plans. Nerd Wallet, for example, succeeded amon...

Paycheck Protection Program Round Two: What Carlsbad, New Mexico Businesses Need to Know

Monday, February 01, 2021

Further assistance for businesses is now available — the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). On December 27, 2020, the Economic Aid Act became law and extended the authority to make PPP loans through March 31, 2021. With an official title of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act, the Economic Aid Act is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. This $325 billion title would provide additional assistance to the hardest-hit small businesses, nonprofits, and venues that are struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...

News and Media

We are an active community with immediate access to beautiful natural resources, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, and more.

Carlsbad residents enjoy a low cost of living. At only 93% of the national average, our residents have more money to spend doing things they love.

Our population is growing. Developers can benefit from an increased demand in housing, retail, and other amenities.

Carlsbad is the best emerging economy in New Mexico thanks to our diverse group of businesses and forward-thinking residents.

News and Media

Fast Facts

We are an active community with immediate access to beautiful natural resources, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, and more.

Carlsbad residents enjoy a low cost of living. At only 93% of the national average, our residents have more money to spend doing things they love.

Our population is growing. Developers can benefit from an increased demand in housing, retail, and other amenities.

Carlsbad is the best emerging economy in New Mexico thanks to our diverse group of businesses and forward-thinking residents.