Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer issued the following statement on the release of the Small Business CARES Relief Grant program:

“I commend Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature for reaching a bipartisan solution to approve $100 million in economic aid for New Mexico businesses at a time when these businesses need immediate support. Moreover, I commend the New Mexico Finance Authority’s collaborative approach on prioritizing the needs of the hospitality and tourism industry and working swiftly to roll this program out for small tourism businesses who need support now. The New Mexico Tourism Department recognizes the severity of the economic injury due to the pandemic and the urgency to get financial relief to tourism businesses as quickly as possible. We encourage every small tourism and hospitality business impacted by the pandemic to apply for this grant.”

On Nov. 24, 2020, the New Mexico Legislature appropriated $319 million from the state's allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, of which $100 million was designated for New Mexico's for-profit and nonprofit businesses. New Mexico businesses and nonprofits with less than 100 employees will be eligible for up to $50,000 in financial support through this grant program. The New Mexico Finance Authority will be administering this program, and will be prioritizing hospitality and leisure businesses when the applications open up the week of Dec. 7.

The New Mexico Tourism Department will be hosting a webinar with the New Mexico Finance Authority on Friday, Dec. 4, at 2:00 p.m. to review the application process and answer questions specific to hospitality and tourism businesses. Those interested in attending this webinar can register here.