LACDC News:

The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) is looking for businesses, individuals and organizations that can make a donation of any size, between $5 and $500, to benefit the Youth Business Grant Program. Youth ages 13-19 wishing to create a new business or build on one from a previous year are eligible for the program.

“We are promoting our local youth by creating young entrepreneurs; giving them an opportunity to experience, first hand and at a very young age, what it takes to start and grow a local business,” LACDC Executive Director Scott Randall said. “One hundred percent of all donations go directly to selected students.”

Building the financial base of the program is just one component. The program will also seek to build the foundation for youth by pairing them up with business leaders from the community, with whom they share a vision. Businesses can also participate by hanging posters or have YBGP business cards or listings available.

After donations are solicited from the community, the YBGP program will release the annual application for youth wishing to apply for the program. Once again, the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (JJAB) Assets In Action program will be made available to students to learn how to build relationships and loyalty with customers and how to best market themselves in and around the community.

The LACDC will begin accepting youth applications later this spring from Espanola, Santa Clara, Nambe, San Ildefonso Pueblo and Los Alamos. So far, 275 young entrepreneurs have had help making their start since the program began in 1985.

To learn more, make a donation or find out more information on becoming a business mentor, call 505.661.4846. Donations can be sent to the Youth Business Grant Program at 190 Central Park Square, Los Alamos, NM 87544.