Local Business
Dear business owner,
I'm pleased to announce the City of Hobbs' fresh initiative to better serve our business community by making local entrepreneurs aware of the many free and low-cost services that exist to help them succeed. This welcome packet is part of that effort.
Here you'll learn about what's expected of you as a registered business and what you can expect from us in turn. We've included guidelines for how to develop a business plan and what steps to follow to put that plan into motion.
The city's website now features links to public and private organizations that offer personalized assistance, low-cost loans, grants, training, networking, technical support and other services, some at no cost to you. You can obtain answers to common questions about employment law or the advantages of becoming an incorporated business, for example.
Evidence of the city's commitment to business is all around us. The city passed a Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), and we see this "Grow It" effort as a deepening of that commitment.
I'm confident your neighbors in Hobbs share my hopes that your business prospers, because your success increases the quality of life for all residents. But we offer more than our best wishes - we offer tangible resources and all types of assistance.
Don't hesitate to call me or other city employees if we can help you in any way.
Sincerely,
Mayor Sam Cobb
Dozens of organizations, public and private, local and national, are in business to help business. They offer free or low-cost advice, training, technical assistance and industry expertise. Some will connect you with money, whether it's a loan, a grant or direct investment.
Many nonprofit organizations and government agencies have offices or field representatives throughout New Mexico and they are only a phone call or email away.
Local Area Assistance, Networking and Workshops
- Small Business Development Center at New Mexico Junior College - Hobbs (492-4700 or nmsbdc.org) for workshops and business consulting
- Economic Development Corporation of Lea County ((575) 397-2039 or edclc.org) for regional market statistics and potential business development incentives
- Hobbs Chamber of Commerce ((575) 397-3202) for networking, events and connections
- Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce ((575) 393-1030) for networking, events and connections
- Fast Forward NM (fastforwardnm.org) for computer classes
- New Mexico Biz Calendar, Southeast Region (bizcalendar.org) for business events
Specialized Assistance Offered By New Mexico-Based Organizations
(Many Of Which Have Field Representatives Who Serve Our Area)
- New Mexico Economic Development Department (gonm.biz) for potential tax incentives, certification training, international trade assistance and community programs such as Arts & Culture District development and the MainStreet Program.
- New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (newmexicomep.org) for help setting up or streamlining manufacturing processes that lead to higher profits
- Veteran's Business Outreach Center (vboc.org) for business assistance provided to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans
- Arrowhead Center at NMSU Las Cruces (arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu) for research and support of technology ventures
Capital, Financing And Special Grants
- Your community bank for financing your business; your local banker knows the community and has an interest in helping it thrive
- USDA Rural Development (rurdev.usda.gov/nm) for business development loans, grants to upgrade energy systems and loan guarantees for biorefineries; the agency also offers various producer grants on a competitive basis
- WESST (wesst.org) for microloans smaller than your bank may provide
- Accion (accionnm.org) for startup loans your bank may not be able to accommodate
- The Loan Fund (loanfund.org) for startup and expansion loans and lines of credit
- The City of Hobbs (hobbsnm.org) for potential business development incent