The vineyard at New Mexico Wineries. Courtesy/EDD

EDD News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) has announced that the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Board approved nine companies for training funds totaling $1.1 million at its June meeting.

The companies all fall into three of the nine target industry sectors chosen by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham – aerospace, intelligent manufacturing, and value-added agriculture. Both of the value-added agriculture companies are located in rural communities.

JTIP, a program of the EDD, covers a portion of trainee wages (50-85 percent depending on location) for up to 6 months. Jobs with entry wages that align with the High Wage Job Tax Credit are eligible for an additional 5 percent and companies that hire trainees who have graduated within the past twelve months from a N.M. institution of higher education or who are U.S. Veterans may be eligible for an additional 5 percent reimbursement. Expenses are reimbursed after training is completed.

The June awards closed out the 2021 fiscal year for the program, which saw 74 businesses receive awards, a new record. The 2021 funds will help offset the job-training costs for 2,752 new hires or existing employees.

“The JTIP program is one of many initiatives in my administration to help workers learn new skills and earn a higher salary,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “It bodes well that more businesses are taking advantage of this assistance – that means and better jobs for New Mexicans who want to build a career and stay in the state.”

“As we come out of a very tough year for businesses, it’s clear there is still optimism and businesses want to invest in New Mexico and hire workers,” Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said. “The toolbox that New Mexico offers is unprecedented in creating new partnerships for growth and high-paying jobs.”

Businesses granted June JTIP awards are:

• 3D Glass Solutions, Albuquerque, was started here in 2013 and has grown steadily since. The June meeting was the 12th time 3D Glass has come to JTIP to support new hires. The company works with engineered glass to design and manufacture passive components for next generation wireless and optical communications. 3D Glass requested support for one trainee at an average wage of $55/hour, for a total award of $32,460.
• Fiore Industries, Albuquerque, began here in 1989. The company’s core competencies are focused on the design, prototyping, and operations of high-technology state-of-the-art systems including, directed energy, controls, test, data acquisition, and fuselage simulators for research and commercial applications. The company requested funding for four new positions at an average wage of $39.50/hour, for a total award of $86,592.
• Solstar Space Company, LLC, Santa Fe, is the world’s first in-flight internet of things service provider for astronauts and space. Under a space act agreement with NASA, Solstar has successfully demonstrated its technology on three suborbital flights – two flights with Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos’ rocket) and one flight from Spaceport America. Solstar requested support for one new position at an hourly wage of $28, for a total award of $14,560.
• The Boeing Company, Albuquerque, is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space, and security systems. Boeing’s Laser & Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) business unit located in Albuquerque has been fully operating there since 2009. Boeing requested funding for 16 new trainees at an average wage of $53.11/hour, for a total award of $480,353.44.
• Wavefront Dynamics, Inc., Albuquerque, was founded in 2019 and is a privately held, early-stage ophthalmic medical device company with innovative wavefront diagnostic technology for use in the vision care industry. The company is focusing efforts on its dynamic wavefront measurement device and advanced treatment solutions, which will help restore vision and quality of life for patients with highly aberrated eyes. Wavefront requested funding for six new employees at an hourly wage of $35.50, for a total award of $113,570.
• USA Beef Packing LLC, Roswell, is a family-owned and operated business ideally located to serve the large number of dairy farms in the region. The company is increasing its capacity to meet demand and has purchased a 13,000 sq. ft. facility in Roswell, requiring new positions to be filled. The company is requesting funding for 19 trainees at an hourly wage of $14.96, for a total award of $134,098.56.
• Supply One, Albuquerque, designs and manufactures packaging products, offering custom corrugated products, plastic thermoforming, vacuum pouches, packaging films, trays, containers, stock paper, packaging, and shipping supplies, as well as equipment. Since it was founded in 1998, Supply One has acquired established packaging companies and today has operations in 20 states. Increased production capacity means additional employees are needed. Supply One is requesting support for five new positions at an hourly wage of $19, for a total award of $32,580.
• New Mexico Wineries, Inc., Deming, dba Lescombes Family Vineyards, is now operated by the 6th generation of the family, which emigrated from Burgundy, France in 1981. The winery crafts an array of over 40 different wines under many labels, including Blue Teal, D.H. Lescombes, Soleil, and St. Clair. They also operate a number of bistros and tasting rooms. New Mexico Wineries requested funding for one new trainee at an hourly wage of $16.07, for a total award of $11,027.68.
• BroadSpot Imaging Corporation, Albuquerque, is conducting research on ophthalmic medical device technology related to retinal and fundus cameras to diagnose eye diseases. The company plans to begin manufacturing these devices upon approval from the FDA. BroadSpot requested funding for 11 trainees for new positions and one intern. The average wage for the new jobs is $40.34, and $22.50 for the intern. The total award was $253,126.