SANTA FEAccording to an annual survey of New Mexico True Certified businesses, 61 percent of respondents reported a revenue increase in 2021 compared to 2020.

The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) conducted the survey to better understand how program partners were adapting to business challenges and opportunities that emerged in 2021. Nearly half of NMTD’s 450 New Mexico True Certified program partners participated in the survey.

“Branding amplification through the New Mexico True Certified program was a great way for small businesses to boost the profile of their products that are 100 percent New Mexican made,” Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer said. “Many people were very intent to support local business during the pandemic, so we are pleased to see how businesses leaned into this program.”

Roughly 25 percent of respondents said that all of their products feature the New Mexico True Certified logo, suggesting a growing awareness of the value to associate locally-produced products with the New Mexico True brand. Overall, 56 percent of products made and sold by program partners feature the New Mexico True Certified logo.

According to the survey, 66 percent of respondents listed supply chain disruptions as the greatest expected challenge in 2022 with 50 percent of respondents also listing a lack of opportunities as another expected challenge. Less than 30 percent of respondents listed labor availability or government mandates as expected challenges in 2022.

One of the premier benefits of the New Mexico True Certified program for participating businesses is inclusion in seasonal gift guides. NMTD published its 2022 Summer Gift Guide before Memorial Day Weekend, which includes over 30 New Mexico-made goods to help start the Summer off right. The New Mexico True Certified Gift Guide is available on www.newmexico.org.