Gov. Lujan Grisham announces new grant for businesses impacted by wildfires

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other state leaders made their way to Las Vegas Saturday morning.

Their focus: a new temporary grant assistance program for local businesses affected by the devastating wildfires.

“I have never seen a governor visit Las Vegas as much as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has visited. People say well, she’s here because of the fire and she’s here because of this. She’s been here with us when the fire was burning the highest,” said Las Vegas Mayor Louis Trujillo.

The program is aimed at rebuilding things that were lost.

“So we’re going to take a million and a half and we are setting it aside, its meant for basically securing and backing up economic loans. And we’ve got the ability to repurpose that fund right now on our own, and to provide $5,000 to $20,000 grants to businesses that are not loans,” said Lujan Grisham.

To qualify a business has to show:

• It’s legally operating in New Mexico.
• Has a business address in the area impacted by wildfires.
• Has had physical damage to business property.
• And/or had a decline in revenue because of the fires.

The applications will be open for two weeks starting Aug. 15 through Aug. 26.

For more information you can contact edd.wildfiregrant@state.nm.us or 505-827-0300. 

The governor said the application process should be easy.

“So immediately, we are going to put out that grant application process, it will be smooth, and easy and practical. It will be for everyone, right small, medium, large ranching, farming, outdoor recreation, lumber, timber, whatever that business was, right for independent contractors, if you’re paying New Mexico taxes, and you are and you’re eligible for one of these grants,” Lujan Grisham said.