Ramel Family Farms is in the startup phase and intends to create 25 local jobs through greenhouse activities and partner processes (compost, fertilizer, grocer, distribution, etc.) in its first 5 years. Courtesy/EDD
EDD News:
SANTA FE — The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Board has approved funding to support the training of up to 87 new employees and 6 interns at ten companies throughout New Mexico for the month of January, Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced today.
JTIP applicants use funding to help train new employees and interns. Companies are reimbursed 50-75 percent of their costs after training is complete and all JTIP criteria have been met. Amounts cover both on-the-job and classroom training. The program allows businesses to continue to grow and thrive in New Mexico and encourages the hiring of New Mexico employees. A higher percentage of training expenses is offered to businesses that hire employees who have graduated within the past 12 months from a New Mexico institution of higher education or who are U.S. Veterans.
The 10 companies who were allotted the first JTIP allocations of 2023 are located throughout the state – Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Moriarty, Raton, Santa Fe, and Taos. They represent a large range of industry sectors with a tilt toward science and technology, including intelligent manufacturing, distillery services, aerospace, clean energy, software design, agriculture, and more.
“Since the start of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration, JTIP has helped almost 190 companies in 34 communities,” Cabinet Secretary Keyes said. “So, this is a great way to usher in 2023 by assisting 10 more businesses grow their workforce in New Mexico and help existing employees learn new skills so they can earn higher pay.”
The January JTIP awards went to the following businesses:
3D Glass Solutions, Inc. (3DGS), Albuquerque, 39 trainees at an average wage of $33.36 for a total award of $661,295.92. 3DGS is a world-class expert on the fabrication of electronic packages and devices using photo-definable glass-ceramics. 3DGS is a pure-play glass foundry that empowers high-performance electronics using engineered glass to design and manufacture passive components for next generation wireless and optical communications.
Altar Spirits LLC, Santa Fe, 1 trainee at a wage of $19 for a total award of $7,330. Altar Spirits has a wholesaler’s license to distribute in New Mexico. The company also offers contract manufacturing services to other spirits brands and currently manufactures spirits for brand owners in Oregon, Illinois, Texas, and Colorado. Direct-to-consumer bottle sales will be conducted onsite through the tasting room and at festivals and markets.
The Boeing Company (Boeing), Albuquerque, 21 trainees at an average wage of $65.33 for a total award of $780,695.44. Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space, and security systems. The company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing’s Laser & Electro-Optical Systems (LEOS) business unit located in Albuquerque delivers cutting-edge, warfighter-tested, high-energy laser defense with precision and affordability. Boeing’s Directed Energy solutions provide scalable and efficient air defense against lower-tier threats in any environment.
Emerging Technology Ventures, Inc. (ETV), Alamogordo, 2 trainees at an average wage of $25 and 2 interns at an average wage of $18.50 for a total award of $62,506. ETV provides autonomous (air, ground, maritime, space) platforms, integrated multi-modal sensing (camera, LiDAR, multi-spectral, IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) predictive analytics (hybrid edge/cloud neural networks) for timely, near real-time, actionable intelligence and response in complex environments including precision agriculture, aerospace, critical infrastructure inspection, and public safety.
Kairos Power LLC, Albuquerque, 12 trainees at an average wage of $59.54 for a total award of $381,852. 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 the development of a clean, innovative nuclear technology. The New Mexico facility will conduct non-nuclear testing.
KiloNewton, LLC, Albuquerque, 1 trainee at a wage of $38.43 and 1 intern at a wage of $25 for a total award of $29,981.96. KiloNewton is a unique service-based business providing technical and engineering analysis and software design for the renewable energy sector. The company provides a mixture of consulting and software R&D, primarily focused on the optimization of large-scale solar, wind, and renewable technology.
Paradise Power Company, Inc. (PPC Solar), Taos, was awarded $18,257.62 in “Step Up” funding for incumbent workers to gain further training to increase their potential for promotion and/or higher pay. The company intends to provide training to 34 current employees. PPC Solar specializes in the development, design, and installation of commercial, utility, and residential photovoltaic systems.
Ramel Family Farms, LLC, Raton, 2 trainees at an average wage of $17.25 for a total award of $24,892.24. Ramel Family Farms is a startup, veteran-, and employee-owned agricultural operation. The company intends to create 25 jobs over the next five years and encourage new ancillary business development. Ramel Family Farms will also bring new technologies and research to the region via the production of insect-based protein and fertilizer products.
Sceye, Inc., Moriarty, 1 trainee at a wage of $40.87 for a total award of $29,753.36. Sceye manufactures 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 stations are an excellent solution for instant infrastructure in an era where broadband access has become an essential element of everyday life.
The Verdes Foundation, Albuquerque, 8 trainees at an average wage of $21.50 for a total award of $68,549. The Verdes Foundation is the largest and one of the longest operating production and dispensaries in New Mexico. The company has two adjacent production facilities in Albuquerque along with dispensary locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho that are operated by registered nurses. JTIP funding will be used toward the production of value-added products including edibles, tinctures, and salves.
