Economic Development
Dora Dominguez
Economic Development Director
Phone: 505-404-5825
Email: ddominguez@sandovalcountynm.gov
What We Do
Sandoval County's Economic Development Department focuses on growing the economy, business and tourism side of our county. There are three main divisions within this department, the Business Development Division, the Tourism Division and the El Zocalo Event Center Division. The Economic Development Department also administers the Economic Development Fund to help draw in new businesses to our area in order to create jobs and stimulate our economy.
How We Serve You
The Economic Development staff is here to promote business growth, attract companies to create new jobs, and to answer questions about doing business in the county. In addition, they are a great resource for tourism information or details on how to book an event at the El Zocalo Event Center. We have compiled several resources to help you with doing business in the county or visiting the county.
Resources for Creative Entrepreneurs
Not every business is ready for an SBA loan. That's where B: Side Funds leads the way. B: Side Capital and B: Side Fund are two sides of the same mission-based lending organization focused on fostering the economic growth of diverse small businesses.
Resources for Creative Entrepreneurs Suffering Hardship
Resource Tool for Start-up and Small Businesses in New Mexico
I-40 Tradeport Corridor Partnership Project
I40 Tradeport Corridor Partnership is a coalition of Bernalillo County, Sandoval County and the Village of Los Lunas, together with tri-state partners including the Port of Los Angeles, CA, Kingman, AZ and Winslow, AZ will be designated a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator for an I-40 TradePort Corridor – an integrated supply chain system of clean energy-logistics-industrial hubs.
The I40 Tradeport Partnership was created over the past year to initiate a discussion among key partner communities located along I-40 looking to build trade and logistic capacity with a focus on job creation.
More Information on the I-40 TradePort Corridor Partnership
and recent U.S. Dept. of Transportation Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) grant announcement access I-40 TradePort Corridor (I40TPS)
State Launches NM CreativeCon to Boost Creative Economy
New Mexico is investing in its creative economy with a new statewide event series, NM CreativeCon, offering business workshops and networking opportunities to creative professionals across the state.
Hosted by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Creative Industries Division, NM CreativeCon will bring together creative entrepreneurs and community leaders for a series of full-day events through education, networking, and hands-on learning. Beginning in March 2026, the NM CreativeCon lineup includes five regional events, culminating in a statewide convening in June.
2026 NM CreativeCon Schedule:
- March 7 – Carlsbad, NM (Southeast) – Cavern Theater
- March 28 – Raton, NM (Northeast) – Shuler Theater
- April 11 – Gallup, NM (Northwest) – El Morro Theater
- April 25 – Silver City, NM (Southwest) – WNMU Fine Arts Theater
- May 30 – Pueblo of Pojoaque (Northcentral) – Buffalo Thunder Casino
- June 6 – Albuquerque (Central) – National Hispanic Cultural Center
Read the Full Press Release
Click to view/download PDF.
For More Information
Creative Industries Division - EDD.newmexico.gov
DOL Regulation Information
New DOL Regulation Regarding Exempt Employees
Click to read notice (PDF).
Project Ranger
READ: Sandoval County celebrates Castelion groundbreaking - Sandoval County
Click to read post.
Timeline of Public Notice & Outreach
Phase 1: Pre-Announcement
- November 24, 2024 – Notice of request to submit Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) sent to County, City, State, AREA, and SEA.
- December 11, 2024 – Project Site Visit
- March 4, 2025 – Project Site Visit & Meeting – Topics: Site Delivery & Incentives. 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
- March 4, 2025 – Project Site Visit Luncheon at The Block w/City, County, SEA, and AREA
- March 4, 2025 – Project Ranger Leadership Reception – National Atomic Museum 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- May 13, 2025 – Project Site Visit
- September 25, 2025 – Project Site Visit
- September 30, 2025 – Zoom meeting with CID, County Fire, City Fire, and State Fire Marshal
Phase 2: Public Notice (News Releases)
- August 7, 2025: Project Ranger and company name released in NM Business Weekly news story.
- August 22, 2025: NM Economic Development Department release of official project announcement with company name disclosed w/o the company quoted.
- July 17, 2025: Tribal Consultation Letters: Notification letters sent to 26 tribal partners with standing in New Mexico.
Phase 3: Tribal Community Outreach
- July 17, 2025: Tribal Consultations Letters sent to all tribal entities with standing in New Mexico, sent by Sandoval County
- July 29, 2025: Tribal Consultations Letters sent to all tribal entities with standing in New Mexico, by the NM State Land Office
- Tribal Meetings:
- July 14, 2025, Zia Pueblo Project Briefing provided by NMEDD Cabinet Secretary (in-person meeting)
- October 22, 2025 – Tribal Consultation Meeting – Santa Ana Pueblo
- November 17, 2025 – Tribal Consultation Meeting – San Felipe Pueblo
- February 4, 2026 – Santa Ana Pueblo Site Visit (Section 36), 10 a.m.
- February 5, 2026 – Laguna Pueblo Site Visit (Section 36), 10 a.m.
- February 5, 2026 – San Felipe Pueblo Site Visit (Section 36), 1:30 p.m.
- February 28, 2026 – Santa Ana Pueblo Meeting with Governor Armijo, Co-Founder & CFO, Castelion
Other Community Outreach
- October 21, 2025 (or week of) – Community meeting, City of Rio Rancho for the Northern Meadows Neighborhood, Cielo Azul Elementary Cafeteria
- December 9, 2025, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The HUB @ Enchanted Hills, Rio Rancho
- December 10, 2025, 11 a.m. Star Heights Recreation Center, Rio Rancho
- December 10, 2025 – Castelion Corporation Office Hours with Andrew Kreitz, CFO at Enchanted Hills
- December 10, 2025 – Community Meeting, City of Rio Rancho for the Star Heights Community at the Star Heights Community Center – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- December 10, 2025 – Community Meeting, City of Rio Rancho for the Mariposa Community at 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Mariposa Community Center
- December 18, 2025 – City of Rio Rancho work session to discuss the Project Ranger facility at 3 p.m. in person at the Council Chambers. City staff to update the Governing Body on the progress of the project. Watch and download City of Rio Rancho meetings
- January 21, 2026 – Project Official Groundbreaking
- February 23, 2026 – Town of Bernalillo Project Update with Mayor Torres and Christina Jones, Community and Economic Development Director, Town of Bernalillo, at 11 a.m.
Phase 4: Public Meetings
- May 28, 2025: Adoption of Resolution 5-28-25.9.D Approval of Resolution No. 5-28-25.9D for the County to submit a NMDOT grant in the amount of $5 million to support the funding of the Paseo Del Volcan expansion from Unser to Rainbow, support economic development projects in the region, and grant signature authority to the County Manager for establishing agreements, letters of intent, and pledging resources/funds in support of said projects.
- May 28, 2025: Adoption of Resolution 5-28-25.11A. Adopt Resolution No. 5-28-25.11A for participation in the Capital Outlay Program with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for Paseo Del Volcan in the amount of $2,780,000.
- June 24, 2025: County submittal to the New Mexico State Board of Finance for the approval of a sale of certain real estate that is part of the Project Ranger. Posted on the State Board of Finance public website.
- June 25, 2025: Approval of Resolution No. 6-25-25.9B(1) and Resolution No. 6-25-25.9B(2) authorizing and directing the County Manager, County Attorney, and County Finance Director to take all necessary steps to facilitate the purchase and sale of certain real estate within Sandoval County.
- July 15, 2025: New Mexico State Board of Finance considers and approves the sale of certain real estate that is part of the overall Project Ranger transaction. Public meeting held in Santa Fe, NM, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Governor's Cabinet Room.
- July 23, 2025: Adoption of Resolution No. 7-23-25 Approving a Resolution funding the purchase of certain real estate in conjunction with an economic development project called Project Ranger from existing funds within the County Economic Development Department.
- July 23, 2025: Adoption of Resolution No. 7-23-25 declaring the Commission's approval of two loans from the existing Economic Development Department's 6504 and 6505 funds for $2,173,789 plus closing costs for an economic development project in an unincorporated area of Rio Rancho Estates. The development is called "Project Ranger".
- July 31, 2025: Closing of land purchase from AMREP Properties adjacent to Section 36 finalized.
- August 27, 2025: Adopt Ordinance No. 8-27-25.10 Approving an Ordinance issuing Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2025, for up to $125,000,000 for a defense equipment manufacturing facility to Castelion Corporation.
- September 24, 2025: Authorize the County Clerk to publish a notice of intent to adopt an Ordinance to approve the provisions of the Local Economic Development Act assistance for a defense equipment manufacturing facility to be located in the County.
- September 24, 2025: Adopt Resolution No. 9-24-25.11A Approving a Lease between the County and the New Mexico State Land Office.
- September 24, 2025: Adopt Resolution No. 9-24-25.11B Approving a Sub-Lease between the County and the Castelion Corporation.
- September 24, 2025: Adopt Resolution No. 9-24-25.11C Approving a Lease between the County and the Castelion Corporation.
- [TBD]: Open house format sessions hosted to provide Q&A opportunities by the company.
- [TBD]: Follow-up stakeholder briefings.
Phase 5: Ongoing Engagement
- November 2025 – Project updates shared via email distribution list.
- November 2025 – Social media updates provided on milestones.
- [Ongoing] – Responses to feedback collected and responses documented.
Phase 6: Formal Public Hearing & Decision
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