Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS)
Forecasted
Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) funds New Mexico communities’ economic development projects to create jobs, expand the tax base, and support business growth.
Funder: New Mexico Economic Development Department
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Online application) | May 2027 (Presentation materials)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$25,000 per project per year, paid through cost reimbursement
Summary: LEADS supports New Mexico community economic development projects that create jobs, expand the tax base, and encourage business development.
Key Information: Applicants must participate in a public-private economic development effort and have current economic development and business marketing plans.
Description
Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) is a New Mexico Economic Development Department program supporting economic development projects with sustainable, measurable outcomes. Its goals are to create jobs through business recruitment, retention, expansion, and startup activities, expand the tax base, and encourage business growth. The program evolved from the Certified Communities Initiative.
The department’s Community, Business and Rural Development team, known as the Regional Reps, administers LEADS and helps communities identify projects and prepare applications. Supported work includes business retention and expansion, real estate development, technology and entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional strategic planning. Projects must advance the community’s adopted economic development plan and demonstrate specific economic results.
