From left, Chamber Director Ryn Herrmann, Economic Development Program Manager Janice Krish and LACDC Executive Director Lauren McDaniel stand by one of the kiosks on Central Avenue that directs visitors to various local businesses and places of interest. During Economic Development Week, which goes through Friday, the community is encouraged to support local businesses. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Economic Development Week, which runs through Friday, is a chance to remind the public that if businesses are going to succeed in Los Alamos, then money needs to be spent locally.

While nothing specific is planned for Economic Development Week, it is the starting point for several big events.

These include:

• AllerPops launch party celebration 4-6 p.m. today at SALA Event Center;
  The grand reopening of Metzger’s Do It Best Hardware 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at its location at 128 State Road 4; the community can also make a fused glass butterfly at Little Studio on the Mesa from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
• ChamberFest 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 in downtown Los Alamos; and
• The kickoff of Tuesdays at the Square 6-8 p.m. June 13 on the lawn in Central Park Square, next to Boese Brothers Brewery.

During Economic Development Week or any week, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Ryn Herrmann emphasized that the best way to keep businesses alive and thriving is to spend money at them.

“It’s an opportunity to remind locals that if they want businesses here then they need to shop locally,” Herrmann said.

Los Alamos Development Corporation (LACDC) Executive Director Lauren McDaniel agreed; she noted that if people want businesses, especially restaurants, to be open extended hours then they need to show up at the businesses and prove that the demand exists. She also encouraged the community, in honor of Economic Development Week, to remember to leave a business review on Google, Facebook or Yelp since those reviews can go a long way.

Los Alamos County Economic Development Program Manager Janice Krish added some creative thinking needs to be thrown into the mix when it concerns economic development initiatives in the future.

“We need to think outside the box,” she said.

For instance, there is limited space in Los Alamos and the County is attempting to address this limitation by zoning many areas as mixed use, Krish said, which was part of the Chapter 16 development code update and downtown master plan process. She added that County management also is making it simpler for food trucks to operate out of the County with future plans for a food truck pad site in White Rock and simplifying the permitting process.

McDaniel pointed out that businesses are getting creative, too. For instance, Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse shares a retail space with STEAM Lab at 174 Central Park Square. There are also discussions on possibly obtaining shipping containers to provide space for pop-up businesses.

Krish added that economic development is a slow process so many entities in town are looking for ways to temporarily supplement needs while the big projects get underway.

There are major economic development projects in the works. The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved Columbus Capital’s site plan for the Mari Mac plaza. As of late April, the developers gave a timeline of approximately 30 days to close on the property and finalize a leasing agreement with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to begin implementing that plan. Columbus Capital’s plan is to lease for five years the former Smith’s and other buildings to LANL for heavy equipment storage to help finance its objective to construct 322 apartments and offer 1,600 square feet of retail and restaurant space.

Progress is slow but McDaniel emphasizes that it is happening.

Since April 2022, more than 100 businesses (home-based and brick-and-mortar) have opened in Los Alamos County, she said, including Business Accelerator graduates Samizdat Bookstore and Teahouse, Inspired Jewelers, Little Studio on the Mesa, Wheeed, Los Alamos Golf and Games, Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters, as well as SALA Event Center, Empower Physical Therapy, 420 TeaTime, Spiritus Technologies, Los Alamos Cantina and others. In addition, Pig & Fig owner Laura Crucet is actively working on additional restaurant concepts for Los Alamos, including Beef & Leaf.

Starting a business can often feel daunting but “for everyone interested in starting a business, know that there is a supportive community behind you,” McDaniel said.

Help is offered through Krish’s office, LACDC and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), she added.

“You don’t need to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce or located within the boundaries of the MainStreet or Creative Districts for us to help your business, as LACDC will assist any business owner seeking to start, expand or even looking into succession planning in Los Alamos County,” McDaniel said.

LACDC continues to offer the Business Accelerator Program, spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet program, with 2023 applications opening in late summer. So far six new businesses have been generated from the program.

The program’s successes have not gone unnoticed. Herrmann said Peter Mitchell from the New Mexico Economic Development Department commended the Business Accelerator when it first kicked off in 2021 with four businesses getting established.

“He said this is the best $15,000 he ever spent – to see four businesses start in the first cohort,” Herrmann said.

Help to businesses also is offered at the SBDC at UNM-LA whether that is assistance in generating a business plan or basic bookkeeping. The SBDC can do it – all for free.

projectY, 150 Central Park Square, is another asset for businesses. It is celebrating its seventh anniversary in June. McDaniel said it offers space for remote workers, entrepreneurs, students and others as well as amenities including a conference room and private phone booths. The staff can offer resources and connections to the community.

Krish said the County also continues to distribute the American Rescue Plan Act funds and micro grants. To date, more than $500,000 has been distributed with $1.5 million remaining to distribute.

“There’s a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem here,” she said. “The collaborative teamwork is a huge benefit for businesses.”

That is a key objective behind her position, Krish said.

“The economic development program manager is a new position,” she said. “I work with (Economic Development Department Administrator) Dan Ungerleider and the position was created to be a liaison and advocate to businesses. The County’s objective is to be more business friendly.”