The federal government is the world’s biggest customer and a major driver in New Mexico’s economy.

While only a fraction of the $8.2 billion that Uncle Sam spent in New Mexico in fiscal year 2017 benefitted local companies, advisers at the state’s four Procurement Technical Assistance Centers work to increase the flow of federal dollars to small businesses that offer products or services the government wants.

To that end, the Clovis PTAC is hosting a workshop March 20 at Clovis Community College for entrepreneurs who want to learn more about becoming a government contractor.

“The workshop is to educate business owners on how to do business with Cannon Air Force Base and other...

The Santa Fe Business Incubator (SFBI) has plenty to show for its 20 years of existence: More than 145 companies have taken flight from the ever-expanding facility at 3900 Paseo del Sol in Santa Fe, and 1,000 new jobs have been created, 49 of them in the last fiscal year.

Paying attention to the business climate and adapting to opportunities explain SFBI’s longevity, according to president and CEO Marie Longserre. SFBI is “an environment that celebrates entrepreneurship, relationships and connections,” she said. “We reduce barriers and create networks.”

Community support, reliable funding sources and collaborative partnerships with economic development organizations sustain...

Secretariat is considered the greatest racehorse in American history. In his book, author Lawrence Scanlan called Secretariat The Horse God Built. Indeed, if you haven’t seen Disney’s Secretariat I highly recommend this powerful and enjoyable movie.  However, as a matter of practice I tend to look for the hidden elements in stories that apply to the lives we live here in Gallup and our surrounding communities.

If you are familiar with the story of Secretariat then you’ve probably heard of his jockey, Ron Turcotte, Lucien Laurin, the famous trainer and Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner, but have you ever heard of Eddy Sweat? I’ll come back to Eddy Sweat in just a moment but...

The new tax law passed by Congress in December 2017 aims to lower taxes for everyone, but proponents cite its overwhelming benefits to businesses. Under the new law, companies — including sole proprietors and workers in the gig economy — can deduct 20 percent of their revenue from taxable income.

This provision alone could disrupt formal relationships between employers and workers, increasing the number of people who define themselves as independent contractors. But employees who wish to serve their former employers as independent contractors should know that even though tax laws have changed, the rules governing working relationships have not: Independent contractors still must...