Positive impact on New Mexico's economy, communities

Through our relations and partnerships across government agencies, laboratories, universities, and industry, Los Alamos National Laboratory delivers the best possible science and technology results for the nation while making a positive impact on our New Mexico communities and economy.

Check out the Economic Impact on New Mexico webpage for the latest information and data on our efforts in

• economic development, including investment and technical assistance
• small business procurement
• employment

Regional Development Corporation

Our primary economic development partner in Northern New Mexico is the Regional Development Corporation (RDC), a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and retain jobs, which receives investment from Laboratory operator Triad National Security, LLC. The RDC provides private investment opportunities and technical assistance to facilitate job growth and diversify the economies of communities in the following seven counties: Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos.

The RDC supports economic development in Northern New Mexico through two main program areas. The Business Retention & Expansion Program provides small businesses, regional startups, and tribal communities funding opportunities and one-on-one technical assistance to help build and sustain a vibrant local economy. The Workforce Training & Education Program is a partnership between the RDC and six Northern New Mexico higher education institutions to identify training needs and develop a well-educated workforce in the region.  

New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA)

New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA) helps for-profit small businesses in New Mexico access cutting-edge technologies, solve technical issues and gain knowledge from technical experts at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The assistance is provided at no cost to the small businesses.

Since 2000 the program has assisted over 2,648 small businesses in all parts of New Mexico.

Economic and business development partnerships

The Laboratory is involved with the Northern New Mexico business community through economic development and business service partners. We participate in the following organizations:

• American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico
• Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Española Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Espanola Valley Community Development Corporation
• Las Vegas First Independent Business Alliance
• Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce
• Mora Valley Chamber of Commerce
• NM IDEA
• Regional Development Corporation
• Greater Sandoval County Chamber of Commerce
• Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
• Taos Entrepreneurial Network
• Taos County Chamber of Commerce

LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium

The Laboratory's major subcontractors have economic development requirements as part of their subcontracts with the Laboratory, making each major subcontractor a valuable source of resources for the region's economic development.

Subcontractors with contract awards of $5 million or greater submit a Subcontractor’s Regional and Community Development Plan to address economic development, education enrichment, and corporate citizenship in Northern New Mexico. The LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium enables these subcontractors to collaborate and increase the impact of their regional community development plans to enhance the economy, education system and quality of life in Northern New Mexico.

Economic Development Grant Pool

The LANL Major Subcontractors Consortium's Economic Development Grant Pool is a program that allows members to leverage their resources for the diversification of Northern New Mexico's economy for greater impact in education and economic development. Grants have been awarded to nonprofits in two areas: Youth Entrepreneurship and Industry Cluster Development.