SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is now home to the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) center, offering resources to both new and established entrepreneurs in southern New Mexico. The center is located inside Genesis Center Building C at 3655 Research Road.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for January 31 at 1 p.m., followed by the 2025 Winter BizResource Fiesta: Las Cruces on February 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will take place at Doña Ana Community College’s East Mesa campus, located at 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.

The center represents the first MBDA facility in southern New Mexico, made possible through funding from the state’s congressional delegation and the MBDA itself. Its purpose is to expand services available to local businesses.

“Establishing the NM MBDA Business Center in Las Cruces is a key development for southern New Mexico,” said Candle Baca, business adviser at the center. “This strategic location will not only provide vital resources and support to entrepreneurs in this region, but also serve as a beacon of economic opportunity for the entire southern part of our state. By bridging the gap in access to capital, mentorship and market opportunities, we are empowering businesses to thrive and contribute significantly to the economic vitality of this vibrant region.”

The Winter BizResource Fiesta aims to offer networking opportunities along with growth and community engagement activities tailored for entrepreneurs seeking resources. Attendees can expect representatives from various organizations including Arrowhead Center, Casa de Peregrinos, DACC Workforce, Health Action New Mexico, among others.

In addition to networking events, there will be family-friendly activities such as raffles and food trucks available during the fiesta.

For more information about these events or services offered by the center, interested parties can visit https://www.nmmbda.com/.