New Mexico Approves $2.4 Million in State Job Training Funds for September

Job Training program to assist 12 companies, train up to 177 NM employees.

State Agency Press Release – From the New Mexico Economic Development Department

SANTA FE, N.M. – Twelve New Mexico companies were awarded job training funds
through the Job Training Incentive Program in the September 2024 monthly round of
funding, announced New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary
Rob Black. September funding could assist up to 177 New Mexico workers.

Jobs approved in September will have an average wage range from $20-$86 per hour.
Eight of the companies awarded are returning to further expand their employment with
the help of the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), while four are applying for the first
time. Awarded companies are located in Albuquerque, Algodones, Moriarty, Santa Fe, and
Santa Teresa.

“The Economic Development Department is proud to support businesses and workers
using New Mexico’s remarkable Job Training Incentive Program,” Sec. Rob Black said.
“It’s a joy to see New Mexico’s innovative and thriving companies utilize JTIP as a tool to
expand their businesses, create new jobs, and help workers level up their skills.”

The JTIP program is an essential tool that encourages relocation, expansion, and hiring
within New Mexico. JTIP supports communities and businesses as they grow New
Mexico’s economy. Training funds are reimbursed as a percentage of costs incurred, with
an emphasis on hiring veterans, recent New Mexico higher education graduates, and jobs
created in rural and frontier areas.

The total amount approved for September is just over $2.4 million.

Companies awarded include:

BlackVe, Inc., Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $86.
BlackVe applies cutting-edge design, manufacturing, and production technologies to
designing, manufacturing, and operating satellites. Target markets are US Government
customers in the National Security Space Sector and emerging commercial space
operations companies. Award amended amount = $98,384.

Franklin Mountain Packaging, LLC (FMP), Santa Teresa, 63 trainees at an average
wage of $20.
FMP manufactures corrugated sheets and provides digital printing and die cutting
services for the corrugated box-making industry. The company has purchased new die
cutters and ancillary equipment to expand its current operation, with the expectation of
being fully operational by late third quarter of 2024. Total award amount = $673,551.

Geobrugg North America, Algodones, 25 trainees at an average wage of $29.
Geobrugg manufactures and sells high-tensile steel wire nets and matching services to
monitor and protect against natural hazards such as rockfall, landslides, debris flows,
avalanches, or coastal erosion. Their products are used worldwide to ensure safety in
mining and tunneling, motorsports tracks, and industry and test facilities. This is
Geobrugg’s first JTIP request. Total award amount = $410,890.

Gonzo Family Farms, Santa Fe, 19 trainees at an average wage of $29.
Gonzo Family Farms is a cannabis manufacturer specializing in unique, rapid-acting,
recreational cannabis products. The company’s mission is to provide high-quality,
innovative cannabis solutions and they are committed to sustainable practices and
community engagement. This is Gonzo Family Farms’ first JTIP request. Total award
amount = $206,988.

Kairos Power LLC, Albuquerque, 27 trainees at an average wage of $51.
Kairos Power is an advanced energy technology and engineering company launched out of
a broad research effort at U.S. universities and national laboratories. The company is
focused on developing clean, innovative nuclear technology that has the potential to
transform the energy landscape in the U.S. and around the world. Total award
amount = $699,660.

Mega Corp, Inc., Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $29.
Mega Corp., Inc. manufactures water and fuel tanks, coal haulers, bottom-dump trailers,
equipment transports, specialty dumper bodies, mobile pumps, and elevating scrapers for
use in construction and mining applications around the world. Mega designs and
manufactures all of its products and sells and supports these products through OEM
construction & mining equipment dealers. Amended award amount = $30,160.

Paseo Pottery, Santa Fe, 2 trainees at an average wage of $22.
Paseo Pottery is a working pottery studio, factory, and showroom. The company hosts a
monthly Pottery Throw Down, donating 100% of the proceeds to local charities. Paseo
Pottery also hosts large private pottery parties and offers long-term classes and
workshops, artist residencies, firing services, and rental of studio space for local artists.
Total award amount = $22,370.

Robocasting Enterprises LLC, Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $23.
Robocasting’s industrial applications are mainly 3D-printed filters for filtering molten
superalloys used in aerospace applications. It’s research and development projects
include high-temperature composites and materials (Department of Energy), hypersonic-
related materials and structures (Department of Defense), and high-performance carbon
dioxide absorbent structures for life-support systems (NASA). This is Robocasting’s first
JTIP request. Total award amount = $23,570.

Sage Botanicals, Santa Fe, 7 trainees at an average wage of $33.
Sage Botanical manufactures, assembles, distributes, and sells cacti and related botanical
products, including custom soil blends. It operates three retail locations with a fourth
planned for the Albuquerque Sunport. A manufacturing/assembly facility has been rented
and is being developed in Cuyamungue that will house the custom soil production,
pottery, and logistics functions, all to be staffed in 2024. This is Sage Botanicals’ first JTIP
request. Total award amount = $164,260.

Sceye, Inc., Moriarty, 1 trainee with a wage of $55.
Sceye is a manufacturer of High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) for the stratosphere at
65,000 feet. From here, Sceye connects directly to mobile devices and observes the Earth
in real-time at resolutions never before possible. Sceye’s HAPS design, in the form of an
enhanced balloon, can lift a variety of payloads for connectivity, earth observation, and
scientific research. Sceye is expanding its operations in New Mexico to include
engineering, production, operations, and services for a fast-expanding customer base in
telecommunications, maritime, earth observation, climate monitoring, and large-scale
surveying markets. Total award amount = $40,091.

STEM Boomerang, Albuquerque, 25 trainees through the Step Up Program.
STEM Boomerang addresses New Mexico’s workforce recruitment challenges by
providing a training program aimed at helping businesses develop successful recruitment
strategies to grow and retain their workforce. The training program is designed for
representatives from New Mexico-based companies (senior leadership, HR
representatives, and managers) who experience challenges recruiting for open positions.
Through JTIP’s Step Up Program, incumbent employees can become upskilled, giving
them the opportunity for employee advancement. Total award amount = $49,000.

Tumbleroot Brewing LLC, Santa Fe, 2 trainees at an average wage of $20.
Tumbleroot is a boutique craft producer specializing in craft beer styles and premium
spirits. Tumbleroot has a tasting room at their production space, and their flagship
taproom is the Historic Club Alegria and a pottery / bottle shop and tasting room in
downtown Santa Fe. The company also produces beer, spirits, and canned cocktails for
distribution. They have become one of the largest producing distilleries in the state, and
are now distributing to West Texas. Total award amount = $18,098.

To learn more about JTIP, visit EDD.NewMexico.gov/JTIP