Via our sister brand in a regional article by journalist Chris Edwards it’s announced that Southern New Mexico’s entrepreneurial corridor—from the Mesilla Valley to the oil‑patch communities of the southeast—is gaining new visibility as three regional businesses join the inaugural cohort of Capital Connect, the state’s new bilingual program designed to help very small and minority-owned businesses access the capital they need to grow.

Representing the region are FAMCo Inc. and INTTRA A to Z Language Consulting Services, Inc. of Las Cruces, along with Calclo LLC of Artesia, bringing both the borderlands and the Pecos Valley into the statewide initiative.

The program, launched by the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD), aims to remove long-standing barriers that have historically limited access to financing for rural, bilingual, and underserved communities across the southern half of the state.

“These 20 companies reflect the innovation, determination, and cultural diversity that make New Mexico such a strong place to do business,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “Capital Connect is designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are, in the language they prefer, and give them the tools they need to grow.”

A Program Built for the Realities of the South

Capital Connect is led by EDD’s Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Office and delivered in partnership with Revby, a national consulting firm specializing in small-business growth and capital readiness.

For Southern New Mexico—where bilingualism is woven into daily life and many businesses operate with lean teams—the program’s design aligns closely with regional needs.

“Making Capital Connect fully bilingual was never up for debate; it was essential from the start,” said JEDI Office Coordinator Rita Veleta. “This approach isn’t just about language access. It’s about making sure entrepreneurs feel seen, supported, and equipped to grow their business.”

What Participants Receive

Beginning in January 2026, each business will receive three months of free, hands-on support valued at more than $4,000 per company, including:

• Group workshops

• One-on-one financial technical assistance

• Bookkeeping and financial planning support

• Loan-readiness preparation

• A fully bilingual learning environment

For communities like Las Cruces and Artesia—where access to capital often requires navigating distance, limited local lending options, and language barriers—this level of support is rare and strategically significant.

Southern New Mexico’s Representatives

• FAMCo Inc., Las Cruces

• INTTRA A to Z, Language Consulting Services, Inc., Las Cruces

• Calclo LLC, Artesia

The Full Statewide Cohort

(Full list preserved for context and transparency.)

• 123 Child Development Center Inc., Albuquerque

• Andino Mini Market LLC, Santa Fe

• BodySculptNM, Albuquerque

• Calclo LLC, Artesia

• Casa Cocktails LLC, Albuquerque

• Chocolate Dreams Pastries, Albuquerque

• Dulce Tradicion LLC, Albuquerque

• FAMCo Inc., Las Cruces

• Fiori e Sale, Los Alamos

• Flyby Holding/Flyby Provisions, Albuquerque

• INTTRA A to Z, Language Consulting Services, Inc., Las Cruces

• J’s Heaven, dba Duke City Herbs, Albuquerque

• New Mexico Pack Burros LLC, Edgewood

• Pequenas Sonrisas, Albuquerque

• Red Root Acupuncture & Herbs LLC, Albuquerque

• Sage Botanical Ltd, Santa Fe

• Trzato Esthetics LLC, dba The Male Room, Santa Fe

• Wendy Gallegos M.A. LLC, dba Bosque Hearing, Corrales

• West Coast Automated Systems LLC, Albuquerque

• Wilder Gardens LLC, Albuquerque

A Win for the Region

With Las Cruces and Artesia both represented, Southern New Mexico’s diverse economic identity—borderland, agricultural, energy-driven, bilingual, and deeply community-rooted—is finally reflected in a statewide capital-readiness initiative.

For the region, this isn’t just participation. It’s recognition.

More information about Capital Connect is available at edd.newmexico.gov/capital-connect.