Regional Development Corporation supports Northern New Mexico small businesses with $130,000 in funding

With funding support from Laboratory operator Triad National Security LLC, the nonprofit Regional Development Corporation recently awarded $130,000 to nine businesses through its 2026 Technology & Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund. 

Two of the businesses are in Los Alamos County, five in Santa Fe County, and two in Taos County.

Diversifying the economy

The TEAM Fund offers no-interest loans to manufacturing and technology-based companies, aiming to support growing companies that are on track to add jobs, grow revenues, and attract additional funding/investment. 

The awards of up to $20,000 per business can be used to procure necessary equipment, consulting services or specialized software.

“Our goal is to sustain and assist developing businesses with job creation and diversifying the region’s economy,” said Pat Vanderpool, executive director of the RDC. “Triad’s support has enabled us to make a significant impact on businesses and communities in Northern New Mexico.” 

Since 2006, RDC has awarded $4.99 million in funding to 139 technology and manufacturing businesses.

"I am grateful to have received the RDC TEAM fund that has helped me increase my margins on my products by allowing me to have new labels designed and have the ability to print much more economically,” said recipient Brenda Archuleta of Brenda’s Botanicals.

Joining the TEAM

This year’s recipients are:

Bandelier Technologies (Santa Fe County)
Quantum sensing company commercializing breakthrough technology developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Brenda’s Botanicals (Taos County)
Traditional piñon-based body care products and incense made from locally harvested sap and needles from the piñon tree.

Dancing Butterfly Naturals (Taos County)
Premium skin and hair care brand dedicated to honoring Indigenous wisdom by blending traditional Indigenous plant knowledge with modern innovation.

Keeping Together Brewery and Beverage Garden (Santa Fe County)
Brewery and beverage garden focused on the production of traditional styles of beer with novel and innovative ingredients.

Light Styles of Santa Fe (Santa Fe County)
Family-owned manufacturer specializing in artisan ceramic wall sconces and pendants inspired by the Southwest.

Molten Salt Solutions (Santa Fe County)
Advanced energy company that produces enriched lithium isotopes.

Palladias (Los Alamos County)
Develops high-performance separation resins to more efficiently extract and refine critical metals that are used in the advanced energy economy.

Tibbar Plasma Technologies (Los Alamos County)
Plasma-based technology company developing revolutionary plasma-based electrical transformers and conducting scientific research to develop controlled thermonuclear fusion devices.

Ursa Science (Santa Fe County)
Hardware and software company developing instrumentation for the life science and bio-manufacturing industries.

Tribal grant awardees

The RDC also awarded $46,556 to 11 businesses through its Tribal Grant program, which makes business development grants to businesses owned by a federally recognized Indian tribe or by an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Northern New Mexico.

The recipients were based in Jemez, Nambe, Picuris Pueblo, Pojoaque Pueblo, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara Pueblo, and Taos Pueblo. The Tribal Grant program is also supported by Triad, and the full list of this year’s awardees is here.