$2.4M Awarded in State Job Training Funds

September JTIP awarded to 12 NM companies

Contact: Bruce Krasnow

Bruce.Krasnow@edd.nm.gov

505-795-0119

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

September 30, 2024

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

Cabinet Secretary Rob Black

$2.4 Million in State Job Training Funds Approved for September

Job Training program to assist 12 companies, train up to 177 NM employees

SANTA FE, N.M. – Twelve New Mexico companies were awarded job training funds through the Job Training Incentive Program in the September 2024 monthly round of funding, announced New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. September funding could assist up to 177 New Mexico workers.

Jobs approved in September will have an average wage range from $20-$86 per hour. Eight of the companies awarded are returning to further expand their employment with the help of the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP), while four are applying for the first time. Awarded companies are located in Albuquerque, Algodones, Moriarty, Santa Fe, and Santa Teresa.

“The Economic Development Department is proud to support businesses and workers using New Mexico’s remarkable Job Training Incentive Program,” Sec. Rob Black said. “It's a joy to see New Mexico’s innovative and thriving companies utilize JTIP as a tool to expand their businesses, create new jobs, and help workers level up their skills.”

The JTIP program is an essential tool that encourages relocation, expansion, and hiring within New Mexico. JTIP supports communities and businesses as they grow New Mexico’s economy. Training funds are reimbursed as a percentage of costs incurred, with an emphasis on hiring veterans, recent New Mexico higher education graduates, and jobs created in rural and frontier areas.

The total amount approved for September is just over $2.4 million. Companies awarded include:

BlackVe, Inc. , Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $86.

BlackVe applies cutting-edge design, manufacturing, and production technologies to designing, manufacturing, and operating satellites. Target markets are US Government customers in the National Security Space Sector and emerging commercial space operations companies. Award amended amount = $98,384.

Franklin Mountain Packaging, LLC (FMP) , Santa Teresa, 63 trainees at an average wage of $20.

FMP manufactures corrugated sheets and provides digital printing and die cutting services for the corrugated box-making industry. The company has purchased new die cutters and ancillary equipment to expand its current operation, with the expectation of being fully operational by late third quarter of 2024. Total award amount = $673,551.

Geobrugg North America , Algodones, 25 trainees at an average wage of $29.

Geobrugg manufactures and sells high-tensile steel wire nets and matching services to monitor and protect against natural hazards such as rockfall, landslides, debris flows, avalanches, or coastal erosion. Their products are used worldwide to ensure safety in mining and tunneling, motorsports tracks, and industry and test facilities. This is Geobrugg’s first JTIP request. Total award amount = $410,890.

Gonzo Family Farms , Santa Fe, 19 trainees at an average wage of $29.

Gonzo Family Farms is a cannabis manufacturer specializing in unique, rapid-acting, recreational cannabis products. The company’s mission is to provide high-quality, innovative cannabis solutions and they are committed to sustainable practices and community engagement. This is Gonzo Family Farms' first JTIP request. Total award amount = $206,988.

Kairos Power LLC , Albuquerque, 27 trainees at an average wage of $51.

Kairos Power is an advanced energy technology and engineering company launched out of a broad research effort at U.S. universities and national laboratories. The company is focused on developing clean, innovative nuclear technology that has the potential to transform the energy landscape in the U.S. and around the world. Total award amount = $699,660.

Mega Corp, Inc. , Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $29.

Mega Corp., Inc. manufactures water and fuel tanks, coal haulers, bottom-dump trailers, equipment transports, specialty dumper bodies, mobile pumps, and elevating scrapers for use in construction and mining applications around the world. Mega designs and manufactures all of its products and sells and supports these products through OEM construction & mining equipment dealers. Amended award amount = $30,160.

Paseo Pottery , Santa Fe, 2 trainees at an average wage of $22.

Paseo Pottery is a working pottery studio, factory, and showroom. The company hosts a monthly Pottery Throw Down, donating 100% of the proceeds to local charities. Paseo Pottery also hosts large private pottery parties and offers long-term classes and workshops, artist residencies, firing services, and rental of studio space for local artists. Total award amount = $22,370.

Robocasting Enterprises LLC , Albuquerque, 2 trainees at an average wage of $23.

Robocasting’s industrial applications are mainly 3D-printed filters for filtering molten superalloys used in aerospace applications. It’s research and development projects include high-temperature composites and materials (Department of Energy), hypersonic-related materials and structures (Department of Defense), and high-performance carbon dioxide absorbent structures for life-support systems (NASA). This is Robocasting’s first JTIP request. Total award amount = $23,570.

Sage Botanicals , Santa Fe, 7 trainees at an average wage of $33.

Sage Botanical manufactures, assembles, distributes, and sells cacti and related botanical products, including custom soil blends. It operates three retail locations with a fourth planned for the Albuquerque Sunport. A manufacturing/assembly facility has been rented and is being developed in Cuyamungue that will house the custom soil production, pottery, and logistics functions, all to be staffed in…