Economic Development Excellence Awards
Applications Now Open for the 2nd Annual Economic Development Excellence Awards!
We are proud to announce that applications are now open for the 2nd Annual Economic Development Excellence Awards, hosted by New Mexico IDEA. These awards celebrate the people, projects, and partnerships driving economic growth, supporting local talent, and building stronger communities across New Mexico.
Submit your application below and help shine a spotlight on economic development excellence in our state. The application window closes on July 30. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your impact and be recognized at the 2025 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development!
Recognizing Impact. Elevating New Mexico.
New Mexico IDEA is proud to host the Economic Development Excellence Awards, honoring the individuals, organizations, and partnerships advancing economic growth and opportunity across our state.
The Economic Development Excellence Awards recognize and celebrate economic development projects and initiatives for their impact in creating a diverse and robust economy that engages local talent, cultivates innovation, and delivers prosperity for all New Mexicans. (Vision Statement, NMEDD State Plan: Empower & Collaborate).
Now in its second year, this annual program shines a spotlight on the people and projects that are shaping a stronger, more inclusive economy for New Mexico—rural and urban, public and private, large and small.
Award recipients will be celebrated during the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Isleta Resort & Casino.
Why Apply?
Whether you're working to retain local talent, grow small businesses, revitalize main streets, or attract new investment—your work matters, and it deserves recognition.
Winning an Economic Development Excellence Award:
- Elevates your work to a statewide audience
- Highlights your community’s progress and collaboration
- Builds credibility with partners, funders, and stakeholders
- Inspires other practitioners across New Mexico
Applications are now open and will close Monday, July 30, 2025. There is no cost to apply.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the celebration of economic development excellence in New Mexico. Sponsorship of the Awards provides high-profile visibility during the Governor’s Conference and positions your organization as a leader in supporting economic growth.
Excellence Awards Breakfast Sponsor – $5,000
- Opportunity to provide introductory remarks at the Excellence Awards Program
- On-stage presentation of one award to recipient
- 10 complimentary Governor's Conference registrations
- Opportunity to provide branded items to all attendees
- Premier placement of logo on all Awards Program marketing materials, application portal, sponsor screen, and all awards.
- Inclusion of logo in conference marketing emails, printed programs and event signage
- Exhibitor booth opportunity
Award Category Sponsor – $2,500
- On-stage presentation of one award to recipient
- 5 complimentary Governor's Conference registrations
- Opportunity to provide branded items to all attendees
- Logo on conference and award breakfast arketing materials, website, sponsor screen, and category award.
- Exhibitor booth opportunity
Available Award Categories:
- Talent Development & Retention
- Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development
- Placemaking
- Business Retention & Expansion
- Marketing Program
- Urban Project of the Year (Sold)
- Rural Project of the Year
To sponsor an award, contact Jason Espinoza at nmidea@newmexicoidea.org.
Award Categories
Rural Project of the Year
Recognizes an economic development project in an rural community has a significant and measurable impact on a local, regional or statewide level.
Urban Project of the Year
Recognizes a economic development project in an urban community that has a significant and measurable impact on a local, regional or statewide level.
Category Sponsor: Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance
Talent Development & Retention Award
Recognizes an initiative that enhances workforce skills, increases employment opportunities, builds talent pipelines, addresses workforce barriers, or encourages talent to stay within a community.
Category Sponsor: Lightcast
Placemaking Award
Recognizes projects or programs that make a community a better place to live, work, and play by transforming underutilized public spaces into vibrant community places.
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development Award
Recognizes a program that offers an effective approach to cultivating the entrepreneurial culture in community, region or statewide.
Category Sponsor: Rodey Law Firm
Business Retention & Expansion Award
Recognizes a Business Retention & Expansion program that impacts the ability of a community to retain and grow existing businesses.
Marketing Program Award
Recognizes an effective comprehensive or targeted marketing program to market a local community or region.
Blueprint for Growth Award
Recognizes a community, organization, or agency that has demonstrated exceptional foresight and planning in advancing long-term economic goals.
Past Award Winners – 2024 Inaugural Honorees
Talent Development & Retention
AutomateUp (Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance)
Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development
City of Albuquerque Small Business Office
Placemaking
Coal Avenues Commons (Gallup, New Mexico)
Business Retention & Expansion
Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation's BRE Visitation Program
Marketing Program
Greater ABQ Talent Profile (Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance)
Urban Project of the Year
Array Technologies Retention & Expansion
Rural Project of the Year
National Championship Air Races