County Economic Development Administrator Dan Ungerleider

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

As local businesses pivot from the pandemic, they are hungry for support, Los Alamos County Economic Administrator Dan Ungerleider told County Council during its work session Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The County and its partners, including the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are working to provide them with some support.

“We are happy to work with them,” Ungerleider said.

One of the things that many businesses are looking for is financial support. Los Alamos County is working on the process to distribute $2 million of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. As of right now, the County has received 51 applications requesting ARPA funds. These requests total $4.1 million, double what the County has to offer. There are three areas that businesses applied for: financial hardship, technical assistance, deferred investment assistance.

The top five industries that applied for APRA funds are:

• Accommodation and food service;
• Retail trade;
• Other services; and
• Arts, entertainment and recreation, education services.

Ungerleider reported during the work session that no funds have been awarded.

Councilor Sara Scott wondered if all the applications would qualify for something. She also asked how requests were being prioritized. Ungerleider said most applicants qualify for something. What is needed is more information about the requests so that the businesses can enter a grant agreement and an expectation needs to be set on what they will be reimbursed for.

Most businesses are asking for 100 percent reimbursement and that isn’t reasonable, he said. Scott asked if other assistance funds are available to businesses. Ungerleider said yes. The County is working with SBDC Director Sandy Jones to create a resource list. Also, the North Central Economic Development District has money for workforce development, but the details are still in development.

Councilor David Reagor said it looked like the County could fund a little more than half of the applications. Ungerleider said businesses have requested more money than they will get. The applicants need to provide details on their requests and focus on the real amount. He told the Daily Post Friday that everyone’s patience is appreciated and applications need to be completed so the County can start sharing the federal money.

He added as far as the application process, “I think while there have been some hiccups it’s been a smooth process so far.”

The support to local business extends beyond the ARPA fund. Ungerleider reported that LACDC has had a successful business accelerator program. In the first round, four new businesses formed through the program. In the current program, two businesses are going through the pop-up phase.

“I’m looking forward to working with these two businesses as they test out our market and to provide support to hopefully help them move into a permanent location,” he said.

Ungerleider further reported that there was a successful job fair on Oct. 13. More than 100 individuals were interested in potentially working in the County. Plus, there is an ambassador training program through a contract with LACDC. It is starting at the visitor center but potentially could spread to small businesses and the County.

“So, we all are committed to sharing the same message with visitors and folks who are shopping and playing in our community,” Ungerleider said.

Day care services are a big topic. Ungerleider said the County is working with LANL and other partners on this issue. Mixed messages have been received on how local daycare businesses are doing and what their admission levels are, he said, adding that LANL is having difficulty recruiting employees because there aren’t enough childcare services. The County is working with LANL and UNM-LA on how to bridge the gap and solve or at least address this problem.

Regionally, the County is collaborating with partners in the area to address transit, housing and economic development, Ungerleider said.