WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE OF LOS LUNAS, NEW MEXICO
A Community That Works™

“Los Lunas, our village, is building a sustainable business community comprised of national, regional, local and home-based businesses and entrepreneurs.  We ask our businesses “What can we do to help you succeed?” and then work diligently to make this happen.”

- Ralph L. Mims, Economic Development Manager, Village of Los Lunas

The Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico is a great place to live, work and play.  We are centrally located in the state and close to everything.  With mild year-round temperatures and thriving businesses, Los Lunas is the ideal place to establish a company, raise a family and experience a quality of life second-to-none.

We encourage you to explore our website and contact us to learn why we are a community that works!

The Village of Los Lunas is and the Community Development Department are committed to supporting our local businesses.  Whether you are starting a new business or relocating an established company to the Village, our economic development team stands ready to help you succeed.

From site selection and incentives to business funding and management support, contact the economic development manager to learn how to launch your business in a community that works.

Ralph L. Mims, MCP, Economic Development Manager

Originally from the Bronx, New York, Ralph moved to New Mexico in 1995 to relocate to an environment that has open space, blue skies, less people and an opportunity to apply his skills as a City Planner and Economic Developer to the fastest growing city in the State of New Mexico. He is currently the Economic Development Manager for the Village of Los Lunas. Ralph loves Los Lunas due to its pro business development attitude and its rapid economic and residential growth in the past ten years. The Village of Los Lunas has a pro active economic development attitude and welcomes sensible development.

Ralph envisions great potential for Los Lunas, based on its community branding tag line “Small Community Big Possibilities!” His goal is to attract well paying businesses to Los Lunas and retain /expand the existing businesses. Due to Los Lunas close proximity to Albuquerque, it is poised for future economic and residential growth. Ralph holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree from Howard University in City Planning. He is a resident of Los Lunas since 1996.

Contact Information:
Ralph L. Mims, MCP
Economic Development Manager
Village of Los Lunas, NM
Phone: 505-839-5654
Email:
Skype: ralph.mims

• The Village of Los Lunas is a small community with big possibilities. We are a safe community with rich history, culture, and tradition and we will never relinquish our cherished qualities.  Our roots run deep and we cultivate our businesses with care.
• Small and rural, close to Albuquerque, buffered by native lands, the Rio Grande and scenic mountains, our village is all about family, education, quality of life, and living, working, sharing, caring.
• Los Lunas is the fastest growing city in New Mexico since 1960.  Our population is 14,835 with a 47,8% growth rate since 2000.  Our immediate trade area is 210,210 people.  We are located 22 miles from Albuquerque, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of 887,077 people.
• We are situated on Interstate 25, the major north/south freeway artery in New Mexico.  Average daily northbound traffic is 30,500 vehicles; southbound traffic is 10,000 vehicles.  In addition, Highway 6 passes east/west through our community with average daily traffic of 24,475 vehicles.
• Los Lunas is the home to some of the largest name-brands in the United States. (Drop in some logos here - see attached file)
• Our community is comprised of 994 businesses with annual retail sales of $381 million.  Our largest employers, ranging from the Walmart Distribution Center to Home Depot, employ over 3,500 people.
• Los Lunas has 1,170 acres of available commercial land complete with new infrastructure.
• Our community is situated near major universities and community colleges.  A substantial, well-trained workforce is available.  UNM Valencia has 1,901 students.  The UNM main campus in Albuquerque has 29,056 students.  New Mexico Tech has 1,921 students.  Central New Mexico, also located in Albuquerque, has 2,698 students.  Valencia County is also home to Los Lunas HS, Valencia HS, Belen HS, and the School of Dreams academy.  This student population exceeds 3,900.

Home to the Rail Runner, our commuter rail system, Los Lunas provides easy access to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.  New Mexico’s major travel destinations are nearby as well.  Whether heading to Taos, the International Balloon Fiesta, the Very Large Array, Indian Market, the Blue Hole, and Acoma Sky City, Los Lunas is a gateway to the Land of Enchantment.

Few places on earth offer the rich history and cultural diversity found in New Mexico.  Visitors are drawn to the State’s many historical sites, museums, and celebrations every year.  The State of New Mexico operates nine museums covering a range of interests, from Space History to Folk Art.  There are approximately 60 total museums throughout the State.

Start Your Business
At the foundation of our economic development program is our desire to help entrepreneurs start new businesses in the Village of Los Lunas.  Regardless of your type of business or whether or not you need a storefront, manufacturing site or desire to work from your home, we stand ready to assist you to launch your business.

Build Your Business
The backbone of any community is a successful assortment of existing businesses and services that create economic base jobs and support the commerce requirements of its residents.  Los Lunas is committed to growing and retaining our local businesses.

Relocate Your Business
The Village of Los Lunas is one of the fastest growing communities in New Mexico.  Located only 20 miles south of Albuquerque, the Village is an ideal place to relocate your business or establish another location for your existing chain or franchise.  We provide direct access to the resources and partnerships you need to relocate your business to Los Lunas.

Incentives
The state of New Mexico offers some of the most aggressive incentives in the United States.  A partial list follows.  Please contact the Village of Los Lunas economic development manager for more information.

• Property Tax Abatement - New Mexico communities can choose to abate all property taxes on an industrial plant location or expansion up to thirty years, subject to the discretion of the local community. This is not a tax freeze, but a true abatement on buildings, land and equipment. While state law allows this incentive, each city or county government controls this mechanism. At the conclusion of the abatement period, the company will be faced with paying relatively low property taxes. New Mexico property taxes are the 49th lowest in the nation.
• New Mexico Investment Credit - New Mexico offers a credit for manufacturers which is five percent of the value of the equipment and machinery used specifically for manufacturing.
• Technology Transfer - The New Mexico Economic Development Department, in conjunction with the four federal laboratories in New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratories, Air Force Phillips Laboratory and White Sands Ñ can help identify technology for product development and production problem-solving.
• Mexico Office - The Economic Development Department has an office in Mexico City for the express and singular purpose of helping New Mexico companies identify and sell products and services to the Mexican markets. The Office has served many New Mexico firms.

Funding
The state of New Mexico and the federal government provide numerous funding opportunities, including grant programs.  Please contact the Village of Los Lunas economic development manager for more information.
New Mexico & Federal Loan/Grant Programs:

• Enchantment Land Certified Development Company - a Small Business Administration licensed not-for-profit organization authorized to implement the SBA 504 and 502 loan programs.
• New Mexico Severance Tax Loan Program - is authorized to purchase up to $20 million of bonds, notes, debentures or other evidence of indebtedness, excluding commercial paper, whose proceeds are used for the establishment or expansion of business outlets or ventures in New Mexico.
• Community Development Block Grant - a grant may be made to a local unit of government which then makes loans to the private sector.

LiveWork Los Lunas
Los Lunas is dedicated to supporting home-based businesses in our community.  Because of this commitment, we have created LiveWork Los Lunas, one of the only programs in the nation devoted to providing direct support to entrepreneurs and individuals who desire to work from home.

Links
Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico
http://www.loslunasnm.gov

New Mexico Economic Development Department
http://www.gonm.biz/

Albuquerque Economic Development
http://www.abq.org/

City of Albuquerque of New Mexico
http://www.cabq.gov/

New Mexico Partnership
http://www.nmpartnership.com