The Questa Economic Development Fund has won the state’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Award for its efforts to support and grow local businesses. The award, presented by the New Mexico Economic Development Department and sponsored by El Paso Electric, recognizes programs that uniquely strengthen existing businesses within a community.

Officials noted the Questa Business Retention and Expansion Program helps local enterprises remain viable and find opportunities to grow, boosting the economy of Questa and the surrounding region. The award underscores the importance of investing in businesses already part of a community. Retention and expansion programs often provide technical assistance, connections to funding, workforce development resources, and strategies to help companies adapt to changing market conditions.

“The award is a celebration not only for the data we collected and analyzed from 48 local businesses and the resources we connected them too, but the recognition of our businesses and the multigenerational families who are the heart and soul of this community,” Monique Parker said.

The BRE award is one of several given annually to acknowledge innovative efforts that contribute to the state’s economic vitality