Greater Española Valley Community Development Corporation (GEVCDC)

Mission Statement

To join with the people of Rio Arriba County and the Greater Española Valley to increase prosperity and ensure high quality of life.

Vision Statement

Promote a high quality of life and economic prosperity for all community members by making a commitment to:

Creating a sustainable and diversified economy by providing training opportunities.
Providing support for quality education.

History

The Greater Española Valley Community Development Corporation (GEVCDC) is a non-profit corporation and lead economic development organization in the region. The GEVCDC was founded in 2000 by a group of individuals representing private businesses, public governmental, observatoire astronomique des Pleines Lunes en 2024 and other community organizations for the purpose of furthering the quality of life in Rio Arriba County and the Greater Española Valley.

Board of Directors

Michelle Martinez
Chairperson
mrmartinez@espanolanm.gov
City Of Española Councilor
(505) 747-6112

Olivia Martinez
Vice Chairperson
Retired – Los Alamos National Laboratory
ovmtz2@windstream.net
(505) 901-9529

Dr. Lori Baca
Dean, College of Business
Northern New Mexico College
lbaca@nnmc.edu
(505) 747-2186

Vangie Trujillo
Los Alamos National Laboratory
vangie@lanl.gov
(505) 231-1928

Christopher Madrid
Rio Arriba County
CLMadrid@rio-arriba.org
(575) 770-0040

About

The Greater Española Valley Community Development Corporation (GEVCDC) was founded in March 2000 when a group of individuals representing private business establishments and public governmental and other organizations came together to approve the formation of this coalition dedicated to the furtherance of the quality of life in Rio Arriba County and the Española Valley, based on principles that are outlined in this plan.
These community leaders shared a sense that change was needed and it was possible to do something about community problems. They were willing to share their information, knowledge, imagination, and vision for the betterment of the community. They understood that a CDC can leverage both public and private dollars to create a more viable community, that attends to both personal as well as community needs. They set out to determine key issues of concern and find people willing to work out solutions. They wanted a CDC for the following reasons:

Private Agencies

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative was founded in 1947. The Co-op began as a small hydropower generating station in Jemez Springs serving three families. Today, JMEC is the largest electric co-op in the state serving consumers in the five counties of Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, San Juan, McKinley and Sandoval.

New Mexico Gas Company

New Mexico Gas Company is a member of the TECO Energy family of energy companies. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico Gas Co. is the largest utility in the state.

Española Presbyterian Hospital

As a not-for-profit healthcare facility, Presbyterian Hospital is dedicated to the care of its patients and community. With convenient medical facilities, including specialized centers for cancer, heart health, women’s health, and children’s health, Presbyterian Hospital is New Mexico’s flagship medical facility – with the comfort and care you’d expect from a neighborhood hospital.

Accomplishments

TWO RIO ARRIBA COUNTY BUSINESSES RECEIVE VENTURE ACCELERATION FUNDING (VAF)
(PRESS RELEASE)-ESPAÑOLA, N.M., June 26, 2014— Ten New Mexico businesses – headquartered in Abiquiu, Albuquerque, Alcalde, Santa Fe, and Taos – have been named winners of the 2014 Venture Acceleration Fund (VAF) awards. VAF was initiated in 2006 by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), the company that manages Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), to stimulate the economy by supporting growth oriented companies.

“Since the VAF was initiated in 2006, Los Alamos National Security has invested approximately $3 million in 49 New Mexico businesses,” said David Pesiri, director of the Feynman Center for Innovation. “Now it’s a community effort, with Los Alamos County, the city of Santa Fe and MEP stepping forward to partner with us. It’s encouraging to see that the payback triggers we implemented in 2013 are already creating sustainability for the fund.” Pesiri said.

The grant awards are administered by the Regional Development Corporation’s Los Alamos Connect program in coordination with Los Alamos National Laboratory. LANS invested $306,000, Los Alamos County invested $25,000, Santa Fe city government invested $30,000, New Mexico Manufacturing Extension (MEP) Partnership invested $25,000, and $30,000 came from repayment to the Regional Development Corporation by a previous year VAF grant recipient.

“This year brought in more qualified applicants than ever before, and I am excited to see the improvements in the economic climate the winners will help create here in Northern New Mexico,” said Kurt Steinhaus, Los Alamos’ Community Programs Office director.Awards were given to five companies in Santa Fe, two each from Rio Arriba and Taos counties and one from Albuquerque. 2014 Venture Acceleration Fund recipients are:

o Flow Science, Santa Fe: computational fluid dynamics modeling software packages.
o Heavy Oil Solutions, Santa Fe: converting low-grade petrochemicals into higher value products using super critical water extraction and refining.
o Keystone Restoration Ecology, Santa Fe: remote assessment of watersheds using Geographic Information Systems mapping.
o Milk+Honey, Santa Fe: expanding handmade goat milk soaps and beeswax lotion bars into the national market.
o Xpress, Santa Fe: electronic tablets to improve how health-care providers choose drugs relevant to their practice, eliminating costly pharmaceutical sales representatives.
o FLUTe, Alcalde: flexible liners for mapping groundwater contamination and municipal water supplies.
o Purple Adobe Lavender Farm, Abiquiu: expanding lavender-based body care and culinary products into the national market.
o Private Label Select, Taos: natural personal care and cosmetic for national department stores, pharmacies and large manufacturers.
o Taos Mountain Energy Bars, Taos: energy bars; to improve manufacturing and packaging and eliminate waste and ramp up production to meet demand.
o Seed Worthy, Albuquerque: start-up company provides full wrapper platform (Bow Tie) for web and application developers.

“This is an important tool in our economic development efforts,” said Kate Noble of the city of Santa Fe. “The Venture Acceleration Fund draws out and empowers really interesting and important businesses in our region.”

This Venture Acceleration Fund was originally created to commercialize technologies developed at the Lab but now includes all types of businesses in every stage of development. The Venture Acceleration Fund is part of Los Alamos Connect, that aims to help entrepreneurs and businesses reach the next level of success and grow the economy in Northern New Mexico.

About the Venture Acceleration Fund
The VAF is a collaborative investment funded by Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), Los Alamos County, the city of Santa Fe and New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership. The fund is administered by Los Alamos Connect, a program managed by the Regional Development Corporation.

About Los Alamos Connect
Los Alamos Connect (www.losalamosconnect.nethttp://www.losalamosconnect.net) is the principal economic development investment by Los Alamos National Security, LLC the company that manages Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos Connect, administered by the Regional Development Corporation (www.rdcnm.orghttp://www.rdcnm.org), provides a variety of services to help businesses achieve growth, continued success, and increase economic impact in Northern New Mexico.

Purple Adobe Lavender Farm, Abiquiu

Owners: Elizabeth and Roger Inman

“Our farm was established in 2004 to grow and provide efficient, expert solutions for growing the finest lavender. We want to bring the best growing information to provide success to our customers and individuals interested in growing their own lavender. Whether it be for personal growers of lavender flower gardens or a commercial lavender growing farm, we want you to be informed so you can grow lavender successfully. Our primary services include lavender plant sales, educational programs and information on growing lavender. We provide consultation, and, of course, our lavender bath and body product line found at our gift shoppe and in local stores. We also offer a host of specialty services catering to the unique needs of our clients. Our lavender is grown at a higher altitude which produces a finer grade of lavender essential oil that is used in our “Everything Lavender” bath and body product line. These products are available at our gift shoppe and local stores. Lavender has long been known for it’s astounding healing qualities: it is a known calmative, and has antibacterial, and anti-microbial properties aiding in its restorative abilities. “

For more information, please visit: http://www.purpleadobelavenderfarm.com/index.html

FLUTe, Alcalde

Mark Sanchez, FLUTe Production Manager

“FLUTe’s purchase of the old mica plant in Alcalde not only salvaged a degrading asset but also established the potential for substantive economic development and job growth,” stated Rio Arriba County Commissioner Danny Garcia. “I am pleased that the County has been able to offer support to the company throughout the process. Our purchase of their water rights not only helped FLUTe meet critical financial objectives, and it also preserved this most precious resource on behalf of our community.”

Founded by scientist Carl Keller in 1996, FLUTe stands for “Flexible Liner Underground Technologies” and manufactures flexible borehole liners used for mapping ground water contamination and municipal water supply resources. The company’s product is gaining ground in the oil and gas and mining industries, and has been installed worldwide from Denmark to South Africa. Recently, FLUTe added new distributors in Brazil and Australia. Clients include Boeing, GE, Exxon Mobile, Ford, GM, Dow Chemical, the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers, among others.

“In order to make this expansion to Alcalde really work, we needed to cut off our dependence on one critical vendor and bring that capability in house,” said Mark Sanchez, production manager and co-owner of FLUTe. “We would not have been able to do this without the investment from the Venture Acceleration Fund this year. We have ordered the equipment and already built the structure within our plant to accommodate it with the funds obtained from the water rights sale.”

The Venture Acceleration Fund (VAF) collaborative investment into FLUTe came from Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), the company that manages Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), as well as Los Alamos County, the City of Santa Fe and New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership. More than $407,000 was awarded to ten companies through the VAF, which is administered by the Los Alamos Connect program within the Regional Development Corporation of Española.

The VAF funds purchased critical equipment that represents more than $50,000 in annual savings for the company. In addition, FLUTe will have complete quality control over the materials – something that currently wastes precious time and resources when they have to return parts to their vendor in California. By bringing this piece of their manufacturing process in house, it eliminates shipping costs, turnaround times and is allowing the company to add four new positions immediately.

Moving from the facility the company had occupied for more than 10 years in Cuyamungue was an expensive proposition, but Sanchez saw the opportunity in Alcalde immediately. A former general contractor, he led the renovation team in transforming the dusty shell that had been repeatedly scavenged into the 30,000 square foot facility that encompasses an office building, a lounge/conference center and the plant today. The company will easily be able to double production in the new facility, which added more than 14,000 square feet to the manufacturing plant after the renovations were complete.

“Rio Arriba County, Los Alamos Connect and Dora Dominguez, director of the Office of Business Advocacy for New Mexico, really came together and made this deal work,” said Sanchez. “Without a doubt, the purchase of the water rights landed this company back on its feet after a very expensive move and reconstruction. All three entities have been very forward thinking and great to work with. It’s a pleasure to see that we have all these resources firmly behind us as we anticipate great growth over the next few years.”

Success Stories

Teen Biz Challenge

This event is a partnership between the GEVCDC, the Espanola Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center, Northern New Mexico College, Rio Arriba County, and Los Alamos National Laboratory to expose teenagers to the possibility of starting a business. Eighteen teenagers between the ages of 13-19 with the entrepreneurial spirit shared business ideas, formed into teams, and presented their business ideas to a panel of judges.

The winning team “Quality Mobile Small Engine Repair” and second place winner, “New Age Technology” competed against other teams from Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos in the Entrepreneurial Teen Grand Challenge which took place in Los Alamos. Congratulations to Quality Mobile Small Engine Repair who was selected as the 2014 top teen entrepreneurial business idea in northern New Mexico.

Quality Mobile Small Repair, Winners of the 2014 Entrepreneurial Teen Grand Challenge (from left to right)

Xena Martinez, Alejandro Atencio, Joshua Lopez

Teen-Entrepreneurial-Challenge-winners

New Age Technology, Second Place Winners in the Teen Biz Challenge (from left to right)

Anna Marie, Jose Ortega, Maria Roybal

new age technology team

Million Company, Teen Participates (From left to right)

Shaylee Martinez, Robert Bustos, Jolene Garduno

million company

Recycle for Health team, Teen Participates (from left to right)

Ariana Estrada, Amber Chavez, Tyler Archuleta, Jaden Archuleta

recycle for health team

Imagine This team (Online Wedding Planner), Teen Participates (from left to right)

Amanda Martinez, Aaron Atencio, Destiny Sandoval

Government Agencies

New Mexico Economic Development Department

The New Mexico State Data Center is a partnership with the U. S. Census Bureau. The Data Center program is designed to facilitate Census data dissemination and understanding. By statute, the Economic Development Department is the lead agency for New Mexico. New Mexico’s network of SDC affiliates is administered by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of New Mexico (BBER). The New Mexico State Library; and the New Mexico State University Economics & International Business Department are coordinating agencies in New Mexico’s State Data Center.

New Mexico Department of Tourism

Welcome to the New Mexico Tourism Department’s industry website. This site is designed as a resource for anyone in the travel, tourism and hospitality and leisure industries, as well as for journalists seeking to visit New Mexico. Here you will find information about NMTD initiatives, research, public relations, partnership opportunities, journalist contacts and the “New Mexico True” brand. You will also find industry news and links to New Mexico in the headlines.

New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center

Every veteran in our region will be made aware of the resources available to those who desire to create or expand Veteran-Owned Businesses.

New Mexico Native American Business Center

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico (AICCNM) is a non-for-profit organization, established in 2000 to assist in the development and expansion of Native American Indian Tribes and Native-owned businesses.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

Labor assistance for employers and those who are seeking work.

Los Alamos National Laboratory

To solve national security challenges through scientific excellence.

Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County will use its constitutional powers to provide for the safety, preserve the health, promote the prosperity and improve the morals, order, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of Rio Arriba County. For more information, please visit:

http://www.rio-arriba.org/departments_and_divisions/economic_development/index.html

Rio Arriba County Economic Development Department specific strategic objectives.

City of Española

Española is quickly becoming the city at the center of it all in northern New Mexico. Rich in culture and history (Española was the first Capitol City in America), the city is also leading the way into the future on major issues including transportation, water planning, and more. Seated in the beautiful Española Valley between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Jemez Mountains, Española is a wonderful place to work, play, and to call home. Relax and enjoy your visit to our site, and let us know if we can be of help to you. We invite you to visit us and see just why there is so much to love about Española!

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc.

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc. (ENIPC, Inc.) is a nonprofit consortium, of the Tribal Governments of the Northern New Mexico Indian Pueblos of:

Nambe Pueblo, Picuris Pueblo, Pojoaque Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh, Tesuque Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Taos Pueblo.

Education Agencies

Northern New Mexico College

NNMC’s communities of service are deeply tied to the region, a fact that influences both the educational choices of our students and the ways in which we serve them.

NNMC primarily serves rural communities within a 40 mile radius of the main campus in Española, New Mexico, including eight Native American communities, within one of the most underserved regions in the state.

Northern New Mexico College Small Business Development Center

The New Mexico Small Business Development Center Network (NMSBDC) was created in 1989 by the New Mexico State Legislature. For 20 years it has supported the expanding, planning, business financing, and management efforts of more than 94,000 New Mexico businesses, providing no cost business consulting, affordable workshops, and business training.

Non-Profit Agencies

Española Valley Chamber of Commerce

The history of the Española Valley Chamber of Commerce, since its original charter in 1963, is one of active participation and interest in the growth of our community and the sustainability of our cultures and traditions. Our invaluable history and our cultural community character is the foundation of who we are, where we came from and where we are going.

City of Española Official Website- Española is quickly becoming the city at the center of it all in northern New Mexico. Rich in culture and history (Española was the first Capitol City in America), the city is also leading the way into the future on major issues including transportation, water planning, and more. Seated in the beautiful Española Valley between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Jemez Mountains.

The Regional Development Corporation, RDC

The RDC is a regional economic development organization for Northern New Mexico, focused on creating a diverse and sustainable economy. The RDC works collaboratively to create new jobs in the region by strengthening services to businesses and developing the infrastructure, public policy and workforce to support job growth.

Its principal service areas are Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, San Miguel, Mora and Sandoval counties.

The RDC oversees a number of small business orientated programs in Northern New Mexico, including the Native American Venture Acceleration Fund (Native American VAF), Los Alamos Connect (LosAlamosConnect.net), Northern New Mexico 20/20 (nnm2020.org) and Regional Economic Development Initiative (NNMREDI.org).

Building Location


Community Profile

The City of Española, New Mexico is a very beautiful city located primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe, County. It seats between the beautiful Sangre De Cristo Mountains and the Jemez Mountains. The City of Española was founded in 1880 as a railroad village and incorporated as a city in 1925. The city is situated in an area Juan De Onate declared a capital for Spain in 1598. Española, NM has been called the first capital city in America. Its motto is; “The Heart of Northern New Mexico, where cultures unite”. At the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 10,495.

Demographic Data

Local profile of general demographic characteristics of the Española Valley, such as; census, social, economic and housing characteristics.

Network Facilitation

Network Facilitation – The emergence of a social group of people utilizing their human capital capabilities to enrich and empower each other in the process of the development and edification of their businesses.

To obtain entrepreneur network facilitation support for your business please contact, the GEVCDC at (505) 753-8950.

New Mexico Economic Development Department

The New Mexico State Data Center is a partnership with the U. S. Census Bureau. The Data Center program is designed to facilitate Census data dissemination and understanding. By statute, the Economic Development Department is the lead agency for New Mexico. New Mexico’s network of SDC affiliates is administered by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of New Mexico (BBER). The New Mexico State Library; and the New Mexico State University Economics & International Business Department are coordinating agencies in New Mexico’s State Data Center.

New Mexico Department of Tourism

Welcome to the New Mexico Tourism Department’s industry website. This site is designed as a resource for anyone in the travel, tourism and hospitality and leisure industries, as well as for journalists seeking to visit New Mexico. Here you will find information about NMTD initiatives, research, public relations, partnership opportunities, journalist contacts and the “New Mexico True” brand. You will also find industry news and links to New Mexico in the headlines.

New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center

Every veteran in our region will be made aware of the resources available to those who desire to create or expand Veteran-Owned Businesses

New Mexico Native American Business Center

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico (AICCNM) is a non-for-profit organization, established in 2000 to assist in the development and expansion of Native American Indian Tribes and Native-owned businesses.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

Labor assistance for employers and those who are seeking work.

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

To solve national security challenges through scientific excellence.

City of Española

Española is quickly becoming the city at the center of it all in northern New Mexico. Rich in culture and history (Española was the first Capitol City in America), the city is also leading the way into the future on major issues including transportation, water planning, and more. Seated in the beautiful Española Valley between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Jemez Mountains, Española is a wonderful place to work, play, and to call home. Relax and enjoy your visit to our site, and let us know if we can be of help to you. We invite you to visit us and see just why there is so much to love about Española!

Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County will use its constitutional powers to provide for the safety, preserve the health, promote the prosperity and improve the morals, order, comfort and convenience of the inhabitants of Rio Arriba County. For more information, please visit:

http://www.rio-arriba.org/departments_and_divisions/economic_development/index.html

Rio Arriba County Economic Development Department specific strategic objectives.

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc.

Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc. (ENIPC, Inc.) is a nonprofit consortium, of the Tribal Governments of the Northern New Mexico Indian Pueblos of:

Nambe Pueblo, Picuris Pueblo, Pojoaque Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Ohkay Owingeh, Tesuque Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Taos Pueblo.

ACCION New Mexico

A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing loans to small business owners.

The Loan Fund

A nonprofit alternative lender that provides loans, training and business consulting to entrepreneurs, business owners and non-profit organizations throughout the state and the Navajo Nation.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Helps Americans start, build and grow businesses, through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

WESST

A non-profit small business development organization offering a small business loan packages.

New Mexico Finance Authority

Providing innovative financing and strengthening communities.

New Mexico Community Capital (NMCC)

A certified nonprofit CDFI created in 2004. The organization has offered capital to high-growth New Mexican businesses and native entrepreneurs combined with expert technical assistance to help them grow. In recognition of its work in serving Native communities, NMCC was certified as a Native CDFI in 2011.

Finance New Mexico

Finance New Mexico is a public service project to connect you to resources and knowledge that can help your business grow.