Los Alamos County Economic Development Program Manager Janice Krish serves a business liaison between local entrepreneurs and the County. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Opening and operating a business is not easy; the list of things to do and to remember seems to collect like ticker tape gone amok – entrepreneurs can find themselves knee-deep in a tangled mess that has no beginning and no end.
Los Alamos County’s Economic Development Program Manager Janice Krish is here to help bring order and ease for local business owners. She described her role in the Community Development Department as a “business liaison”.
“My main focus area is with the business community, providing support and communicating county code requirements.”
To do this, she said she holds one-on-one meetings as well as interacts with individuals to discuss their needs and offers County resources.
Additionally, Krish said she assists business owners to navigate various County processes such as applying for a license or permit; she will hold hands during these processes to ensure they are quickly completed.
To further offer ease, Krish said, “we also recommend a pre-application meeting” for those who are looking to start or expand a business.
During this meeting, the new business owner’s project will be reviewed, and they can meet with staff from key areas in the Community Development Department including business licensing, planning, building and fire.
Topics covered can include change of use, occupancy load, what permits are needed and how to apply for a business license.
“It helps them avoid any surprises,” she said. “The main point is we are available (to ensure that) these projects happen relatively quickly.”
“It’s really exciting to see those projects … we are trying to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true.”
Besides offering meetings to kick off the start of forming a business, Krish said the County offers other resources including funding.
She said that these funding sources are different than traditional investments because business owners receive support without giving away ownership.
One of these funding sources is the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA).
Krish said LEDA is a powerful tool that enables economic growth in the county. It is a state program but there is a local component. Los Alamos County also adopted a retail component, Krish said.
According to the County website, under LEDA the New Mexico Economic Development Department is granted authority to administer grants to locals to assist expanding or relocating qualified businesses that will stimulate economic development and produce public benefits. All grants are funded on a strictly reimbursement basis. In Los Alamos, financial support is given in four categories: industrial revenue bonds, small technology-based businesses financial assistance, building façade improvements and other economic development projects.
Krish pointed out to receive a grant, collateral must be given such as a building, a letter of credit or something that is equal to the value of the grant.
“I think this is a powerful tool that the business community can take advantage of to grow and add jobs.”
Another funding opportunity is the job training incentive program (JTIP), Krish said. This program offers funds for on-the-job training, she explained, as well as reimbursement for a certain percentage of wages for newly created jobs.
“The whole point is job creation,” Krish said, adding that this is mostly for manufacturers.
Other financial resources include micro-grants through the Regional Development Corporation, which provide an infusion of capital of up to $3,000 to help businesses diversify, sustain or grow revenue. As well as Technology and Manufacturing Funding, which provides no-interest loans to manufacturing and technology companies. A list of the funding sources can be found on the County’s website.
Krish said her department is striving to spread awareness about what resources are available.
“We want to let the business community know, these are opportunities, and it is just a matter of finding the right fit.”
While not a regular source of funding, Krish said her department is distributing the $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds the County received. To date, more than $1.7 million has been awarded to local business, more than $109,000 will be given by the end of September and the remaining $94,322.57 is scheduled to be allocated and paid out by end of 2024, Community Development Department Director Paul Andrus previously reported.
Krish pointed out that unlike other municipalities that used ARPA for infrastructure projects, the County distributed its money to retail businesses.
For example, Mesa Top Games and Toys, used its funds for its milkshake and smoothie café, she said. Despite the support the County provides, Krish said there are still challenges: lack of workforce, housing and commerce.
To address workforce challenges, she said business owners can look to local resources and think outside the box. For instance, Los Alamos National Laboratory has a retired senior employment volunteer program, there is also volunteerlosalamos.org. Plus, there is New Mexico Workforce Solutions, that connects employers with prospective workers, and the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos operates a job opening board as well as a community internship collaboration.
It is also important to be connected to the different entities in town, not only the County but also the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, Krish said.
“Being dialed in is important and reaching out to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which includes the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center.”
A big challenge is finding commercial space, she said. As a result, Krish said she can help business owners identify where they can go for commercial space.
“We really want businesses to know what the options are, where can they locate and what is coming in the future.”
This is why her job was created, Krish said, to communicate with business owners and find solutions.
“Just being able to identify and then respond to what are the barriers is important. I do a lot of listening … I always ask questions – do you have any concerns about what the County can do … and how can the County address roadblocks.”
“I want businesses to know that I am here for them. The County created this role specifically to enhance support and opportunities for the local business environment,” she added.
To contact Krish, call 505.662.8116 or email janice.krish@lacnm.us
