Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS)

Learn about the New Mexico LEADS Grant, providing funding for local economic development projects that create jobs, grow businesses, and strengthen communities. Home Grants Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) Local Economic Assistance & Development Support (LEADS) LEADS is a funding program for economic development projects that deliver sustainable outcomes. It evolved from the Certified Communities Initiative (CCI) in fiscal year 2016. The goal of LEADS is to create jobs through recruitment, retention/expansion, and startup activities, develop the tax base, and incentivize business development. LEADS applications are evaluated based on these objectives.  Contact your regional rep to get started!  View the FY27 webinar slides  Watch the FY27 webinar recording  Check out the FY25 awardees  Check out the FY26 awardees Funding Projects are awarded $5,000 to $25,000 per year through a cost-reimbursement contract. EDD reimburses the applicant for work performed and costs incurred, up to the awarded amount. Reimbursement occurs after project completion and submission of a project report. Eligible Applicants Are involved in an economic development effort with both public and private participation, demonstrating the ability to drive economic growth. Have an up-to-date community economic development plan and a marketing plan supporting business development and job growth. Have passed the Local Economic Development Act in their region Local Option Gross Receipts Tax for economic development, or other economic development financing tools in their service area. Eligible Projects Must achieve specific economic development goals, such as job creation, tax base expansion, and/or business development, with measurable outcomes. Must align with the community’s adopted economic development plan. Should have a clear start and end date. Must include an appropriate budget and timeline. The LEADS Program is administered by the Community, Business and Rural Development Team (aka Regional Reps) . Team members work with communities to identify projects and prepare the LEADS application.

Eligible Applicants Are involved in an economic development effort with both public and private participation, demonstrating the ability to drive economic growth.