This EDA investment supports UNM rainforest innovations (UNM RI) with providing training, mentoring, and strategy development for entrepreneurship growth to mitigate barriers that have prevented…

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $1 million Project Grant to UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNM RI) on March 31, 2022 under the Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program.

UNM RI will provide training, mentoring, and strategy development services to mitigate barriers that have prevented tribal entrepreneurs from starting and growing resilient businesses on reservations and throughout New Mexico. The program aims to help tribal regions recover from negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn in the coal industry through entrepreneurship development and economic diversification. Upon completion, the project is expected to directly create jobs in tribal communities and spur private investment and regional resiliency.

The EDA EAA program supports regions facing adverse economic changes through various technical, planning, and infrastructure assistance. This award will fund UNM RI's delivery of entrepreneurship and small business support services to foster economic recovery and diversification in Native American communities in New Mexico.

This EDA investment supports UNM rainforest innovations (UNM RI) with providing training, mentoring, and strategy development for entrepreneurship growth to mitigate barriers that have prevented tribal entrepreneurs from starting and growing strong resilient businesses that promote a thriving economy for the reservations and new mexico. The program will provide the tribal regions the ability to recover from the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic as well as provide economic diversification needed from the downturn in the coal economy. Once completed, the project will lead to direct jobs for the tribal community, which will help spur private investment and advance resiliency throughout the region.