Economic Development Excellence Awards
Recognizing Impact. Elevating New Mexico.
New Mexico IDEA is proud to host the Economic Development Excellence Awards, recognizing the projects, programs, and partnerships that are strengthening communities and creating opportunity across our state.
From transformational rural and urban development projects to innovative workforce initiatives, placemaking efforts, entrepreneurial ecosystems, business retention programs, strategic marketing campaigns, and long-range economic planning, these awards celebrate excellence in economic development at every level.
The Economic Development Excellence Awards honor measurable impact, meaningful collaboration, and innovative approaches that help New Mexico communities attract investment, grow businesses, develop talent, and improve quality of life.
Now in its second year, the awards shine a spotlight on the leaders and organizations helping build a stronger, more prosperous New Mexico—one community, one project, and one partnership at a time.
New Mexico IDEA is proud to announce Taft Law Firm as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Economic Development Excellence Awards. Taft's commitment to economic growth, community development, and business success helps make this statewide recognition program possible.
Award recipients will be celebrated during the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development on Wednesday, September 3, 2026, at Isleta Resort & Casino.
Why Apply?
Economic development success deserves to be celebrated.
Whether you're leading a catalytic development project, building a workforce pipeline, supporting entrepreneurs, revitalizing public spaces, helping local businesses grow, marketing your community, or creating a strategic roadmap for future prosperity, your work is making a difference.
Winning an Economic Development Excellence Award:
- Earns statewide recognition among economic development leaders
- Highlights measurable impact and community success
- Strengthens credibility with partners, investors, and stakeholders
- Showcases innovative solutions and best practices
- Inspires economic development efforts across New Mexico
Applications are open through July 31, 2026. 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 (SOLD)
- 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
- Rural Project of the Year
To sponsor an award, contact Jason Espinoza at jespinoza.kw@gmail.com.
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.
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.
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.
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
Talent Development & Retention
2025 - Job Training Albuquerque (City of Albuquerque)
2024 - AutomateUp (Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance)
Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development
2025 - New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program & City of Santa Fe Tribal Liaison Spinoff (City of Santa Fe)
2024 - City of Albuquerque Small Business Office
Placemaking
2025 - Canyon Road Summer Walk Series (Canyon Road Productions & City of Santa Fe)
2024 - Coal Avenues Commons (Gallup, New Mexico)
Business Retention & Expansion
2025 - Questa BRE Program & Report (Questa Economic Development Fund)
2024 - Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation's BRE Visitation Program
Marketing Program
2025 - The Evolution & Future Path of Greater Albuquerque's Economy (Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance)
2024 - Greater ABQ Talent Profile (Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance)
Urban Project of the Year
2025 - Vitality Works Retention & Expansion
2024 - Array Technologies Retention & Expansion
Rural Project of the Year
2025 - Designing & Moving the Gallup-McKinley Country TradePort Forward
2024 - National Championship Air Races
Blueprint for Growth Award
2025 - PRE-Spec Development: A Site-Readiness Strategy (Mesilla Valley Economic Developmeny Alliance)
New Mexico Roots Award
2025 - Humble Brands