U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.9 Million to Support Disaster Recovery and Workforce Development in New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $3.9 million in the state of New Mexico to support economic and workforce development following natural disasters in the state.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• The city of Raton will receive a $2 million EDA grant for building renovations and equipment to support the development of a media training center. The project will be matched with $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 35 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

• Mora County will receive a $1.1 million EDA grant to provide planning, infrastructure, and staffing assistance for economic development following devastating wildfires, flooding, and straight-line winds.

• Lincoln County will receive an $800,000 EDA grant for disaster recovery capacity building and a comprehensive bridge inspection to support economic development following devastating wildfires and straight-line winds. The project will be matched with $202,047 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that all communities in New Mexico and across the country have the resources needed to not only recover from natural disasters but to grow strong, resilient, and prosperous local economies,”  said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will support the city of Raton, Mora County and Lincoln County as they recover and rebuild after devastating wildfires and flooding.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “EDA is pleased to assist these New Mexico communities in their disaster recovery work in order to develop strong, resilient regional economies with the right plans and infrastructure needed to weather future disasters.”

“As climate change causes more damaging and expensive natural disasters, our state appreciates this investment in disaster recovery, infrastructure planning, communications, and more to help support local economies and jobs. It’s clear that the Biden Administration understands the threat and is working to help ensure that economic development is not derailed by natural disasters,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“I’m proud to welcome nearly $4 million to help Raton build a new media training center and assist Mora and Lincoln Counties as they recover and strengthen their economies after wildfires and flooding disasters. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am committed to delivering the investments New Mexico needs to grow our middle class and build a resilient economy,” said Senator Martin Heinrich.

“These critical investments show how the Biden administration continues to support the people of New Mexico by helping develop local economies and build the workforce,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “I’m proud to welcome nearly $4 million to help renovate a media center in Raton and improve wildfire recovery services in Mora and Lincoln Counties. This welcome investment will create more jobs and help New Mexicans recover from the historic wildfires and subsequent flooding.”

“This $3.9 million investment from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will provide tools for our communities to flourish,” said Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “These funds, in addition to the Community Project Funds I secured for Raton’s Film Studio and Education Center, will build the classrooms and provide the equipment to nourish the minds of tomorrow’s great artists. The funds to Mora County will also help recovery efforts and grow our economy after the devastating Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire. When we invest in the people of New Mexico, we can do great things – that is why our delegation championed these funds.”

These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.