City of Santa Fe Economic Development Team Highlights Year-End Opportunities for Local Businesses

The City of Santa Fe’s Office of Economic Development outlined a wide range of business resources, holiday events, and upcoming initiatives during the latest Open for Business segment on KSWV Radio. Host Estevan Gonzales opened the program by greeting listeners: “Good morning, everybody, and welcome to Open for Business with the Office of Economic Development here with the City of Santa Fe.”

The discussion began with an update from Debra Torres, the city’s Native Business Development Tribal Liaison. She announced her final Native Business Roundtable of the year, stating, “Today, Tuesday, December 9th, from 10 to 12, I’m hosting our final 2025 Roundtable for Native Businesses.” Torres described the strong momentum since the program’s launch over the summer. “We started the roundtables in July… and going into 2026, we have some great opportunities to really interface with our community and support, advocate, share, and really collaborate with our Native folks,” she said.

Torres encouraged business owners to reach out directly, noting, “My email address is DMTORRES@SantaFeNM.gov. We’d love to hear from folks.”

Navigating Business Resources and Expanding Support

Economic Development Deputy Director Eric Renz-Whitemore highlighted the city’s continued work to help entrepreneurs access the right tools and guidance. He explained that the Small Business Navigator Program exists “to help entrepreneurs of all kinds really find the resources they need.”

Renz-Whitemore promoted several upcoming workshops, including the Navigator Program’s Maker’s Marketplace, a session focused on pricing and selling handmade products. The workshop is scheduled for the Santa Fe Business Incubator and, he noted, “It’s Practical Strategies for Selling Your Work… from 5 to 7 p.m.”

He also described two AI-focused events scheduled the same evening, including an installment of the El Ceylon series featuring the director of the New Mexico Energy Office. The event will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure. Renz-Whitemore said the conversation would examine “that interface of AI… and intensive computing needs that different businesses have really requires a lot of energy.” A separate AI networking event in Albuquerque will run “from 5 to 7.30 p.m. at New Space Nexus.”

He then detailed additional opportunities for local entrepreneurs, including outdoor recreation grants and Department of Energy showcase events. These programs, he said, represent “a lot of cutting-edge work that’s happening from companies that are looking for investment, but they’re also looking for support.”

Winter Walk, Holiday Markets, and a Push to Support Local Businesses

Economic development staff member Maciek Jasik encouraged Santa Fe residents to take part in this weekend’s Guadalupe Winter Walk and Market, describing it as a multi-stop celebration along the Guadalupe corridor. Jasik teased one of the attractions: “Don’t tell your kids, but there’s going to be multiple Santas in multiple incredible vehicles.”

He added that the event would include “s’mores and several fire pits all up and down the corridor,” along with live music, business activations, and special activities at De Vargas Park. The Winter Walk will be held “this Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m.” with road closures “from Manhattan on the south to Paseo on the north.”

Jasik also highlighted the city’s new Go Local, Go Different campaign, which encourages residents to shop locally through a digital rewards pass. “We just launched in the last week to 10 days, and it’s a citywide campaign. Go local, go different,” he said. The system allows participants to earn points by visiting businesses: “You get 100 points when you send that rewards pass to your friend… you check into a business, you get 100 points, and you get a free meal starting at 1,000 points.”

He emphasized the economic importance of the initiative, saying, “Whenever we spend at those businesses, we are keeping those funds within Santa Fe… and that makes us stronger as a community.”

Business Licensing, Artist Grants, and 2026 Workforce Initiatives

Renz-Whitemore also outlined additional programs on the horizon, including a quarterly session to help entrepreneurs understand licensing and startup requirements. The next installment of Santa Fe Business 101, he said, “returns on the 16th… from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.”

He noted several other opportunities, including the Governor’s Holiday Market “from 3 to 7 p.m.” at the Governor’s Residence and the Fulcrum Fund for artists, which has a submission deadline of “December 31st.” He also pointed to outdoor recreation grant information sessions and a forthcoming deep-dive coding boot camp launching in early 2026 for “health data innovators.”

Residents and business owners seeking updates can subscribe to the department’s newsletter through its general inbox. As Renz-Whitemore reminded listeners, “Contact OED… at SantaFeNM.gov.”

Looking Toward the New Year

Renz-Whitemore reflected positively on the year’s progress, concluding, “I think it’s been a really good 2025. We’re looking forward to some real progress and even better opportunities in 2026.”

Host Estevan Gonzales closed the segment by thanking the team for its work on behalf of local businesses, saying, “Thank you for making it special for our business community here in town.”