Keller Administration Launches Targeted New Initiative to Support Small Businesses

September 24, 2019

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, Mayor Tim Keller and the Economic Development Department joined City leaders, small business owners and small business ecosystem partners to launch the Albuquerque Small Business Office. Located in Downtown Albuquerque at 117 Gold St. SW, the new space is a resource for helping small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and a major job creator,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Historically, the City has focused on courting out-of-state businesses, and while this is still a key part of our work, but we also need to address gaps for the homegrown small businesses that are vital to economic growth. The Small Business Office will connect our local entrepreneurs, especially people of color, immigrants and women, with the opportunities that will enable them to launch and grow small businesses that boost our entire community.”
Albuquerque’s 42,000 small businesses fuel the City’s economy and provide 300,000 jobs. The Small Business Office will serve as a resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs ready to open or expand their businesses. In addition, the City is focused on empowering minority and women-owned businesses. In Albuquerque, an estimated 16,000 small businesses are owned by entrepreneurs of color and 16,000 of small businesses are women-owned.

“Our economic development plan places a focus on small business and aims to make the small business economy thrive,” said Synthia R. Jaramillo Economic Development Director for the City of Albuquerque. “To accomplish these goals, the plan proposes policies and programs to foster an efficient support system for all small businesses. The Small Business Office will serve as the front door for small businesses, providing navigation help for permitting and licensing, and technical assistance for local, women, minority and veteran owned businesses.”

In partnership with more than a dozen leading business service organizations, the City of Albuquerque’s Small Business Office will proactively provide training, networking and one-on-one assistance. The small business office will work closely with other City Departments, including Fire, Planning and Finance to streamline processes and make sure that local businesses have access to the same programs and incentives as out-of-state businesses.

To learn more visit: https://www.cabq.gov/economicdevelopment/small-business/smallbusinessoffice.

In conjunction with the launch of the Small Business Office, Lavu, an industry leader in mobile point-of-sale and payment systems, today announced the launch of Lavu Loves Local, a new pilot program to give back to the business community. The Lavu Loves Local campaign was created to assist Albuquerque restaurants with their overall operations by providing a mobile POS and the hardware associated, at no upfront cost, a savings upwards of $2,000. Restaurants headquartered in the Albuquerque metro area are encouraged to apply.

“Lavu Loves Local is our way of showing our love for the city of Albuquerque,” said Lavu CEO, Saleem S. Khatri. “We are supporting local businesses by providing restaurants with technology that will efficiently manage all their operations and improve the experience for their customers.”

Through the Small Business Office, the City of Albuquerque will support Lavu’s program by connecting local restaurants and owners to the program.

Those interested in the program can learn more at lavu.com/lavu-loves-local/.