New Mexico Approves $8 Million to Train Nearly 400 Workers Statewide

The New Mexico Economic Development Department's Job Training Incentive Program approved funding for 18 companies to hire, train and upskill 398 workers in the first quarter of 2026 — and the state's reimbursement rules give rural and frontier employers, including those in Hidalgo County, a built-in financial edge over their urban counterparts.

The awards support key growth industries, including intelligent manufacturing, aerospace, value-added agriculture, green energy, and film and media. Highlights from the first three months include five first-time JTIP applicants, with four approved in March alone. Funding will go to companies in Albuquerque, Alcalde, Corrales, Las Vegas, Moriarty, Portales and Taos.

The single largest award went to ABC Technology Group in Albuquerque. The company, which delivers solutions in AI, robotics, quantum computing and data engineering, was approved in March to train 111 employees at an average hourly wage of $48 and 18 interns at an average hourly wage of $43, for a total award of $3,376,345. By comparison, Kairos Power LLC, developing a next-generation molten fluoride salt-cooled nuclear reactor in Albuquerque, was approved in January to train 25 employees at an average hourly wage of $52 for a total award of $686,470.

While no Hidalgo County employers appeared in this quarter's list, the program's structure rewards exactly the kind of geography Lordsburg and the surrounding communities represent. JTIP funding covers at least 50% of trainee wages for up to six months, and the reimbursement percentage is higher for jobs located in rural and frontier areas, companies hiring New Mexico graduates, and other criteria that encourage local hiring. Companies located in an economically distressed area in New Mexico are eligible for up to 75% reimbursement; to receive that rate, a company must be located in a county with an unemployment rate significantly higher than the state unemployment rate.

The program's track record suggests staying power. PPC Solar used JTIP's Step Up program for the 13th time to upskill current employees for potential promotion, having been approved to train 98 employees to date, filled 84 of those positions, with 83 still employed at the company. Statewide, in fiscal year 2025, JTIP assisted 60 companies across New Mexico, approving projects instrumental in training up to 1,238 workers at an average wage of $25.28 per hour. Twenty-five of those companies were in rural communities, covering 820 workers.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham framed the investment as part of a long-term workforce strategy. "Companies choose New Mexico because we have invested in our workforce from cradle to career," she said. "By investing in job training across our target industries, communities all across the state are benefiting from local business growth and new jobs."

EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black pointed to the program's momentum. "Each month, these companies prove that New Mexico is truly open for business," he said. "JTIP is paying off in dividends as businesses continue to grow and expand operations here and hire and train New Mexicans across the state."

New Mexico has one of the most generous training incentive programs in the country. Hidalgo County employers in manufacturing or non-retail service industries that export a majority of their revenue out of state can learn more about applying at edd.newmexico.gov/JTIP or contact EDD media coordinator Chris Chaffin at Chris.Chaffin@edd.nm.gov or (505) 490-7962.