Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million to Support Workforce Training Efforts in Taos, New Mexico

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.3 million grant to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Ranchos De Taos, New Mexico, to construct a new workforce development training facility in Taos, New Mexico. This EDA project will be matched with $315,000 in local funds.

“President Biden is committed to supporting workforce development programs that provide growth opportunities for workers as communities build back stronger from the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps with construction of a workforce training facility that will produce a workforce uniquely trained to the needs of the region, creating a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps as it seeks to provide new employment possibilities in New Mexico,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “Rocky Mountain Youth Corps offers comprehensive workforce development programs to hundreds of youth and young adults in New Mexico and their new facility will expand the program’s capacity to produce a trained workforce.”

“Workforce development programs are crucial to train the workers of the future, fill in-demand jobs, and support local economies. I’m glad that the Department of Commerce is investing $1.3 million to support the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps to construct a new training facility for New Mexicans,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “As a member of the Senate Commerce and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committees, I’ll continue working with the Biden-Harris administration to strengthen workforce development programs to create new opportunities. These investments are how our state will recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and keep our homegrown talent right here in New Mexico.”

“The Rocky Mountain Youth Corps sees the promise in our youth and trains young New Mexicans with the skills they need to get a good paying job,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “My first job was with the Youth Conservation Corp and I know the benefits of working on our land as a launchpad. This EDA funding for a new development training facility in Taos will help the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps continue to empower our communities and strengthen our local economy. We hope this is one of many more investments to come for our state as we care for our planet and address our economic crises.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD), which EDA funds to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.