The past year has been one of growth, innovation and community impact for the Questa Economic Development Fund (QEDF). With a renewed focus on local businesses, QEDF secured a LEADS grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to lead a comprehensive Business Retention and Expansion (QBRE) program. QEDF conducted interviews, site tours and surveys with more than 45 local businesses to learn what obstacles and opportunities exist in the community. The resulting report is already shaping strategic planning and earned statewide recognition, receiving the award at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development for excellence in the Business Retention and Expansion category.
To support small businesses and sole proprietors, the Questa Business Bridge (QBB) continues to connect the community to business resources, training and services. Backed this year by a $15,000 grant from the LOR Foundation, QBB hosted weekly business workshops, classes and resource sessions, including a Networking Breakfast, which connected local businesses directly with regional resource partners.
One of the year’s highlights was the first-ever Questa Business Bridge Pitch Contest. Fourteen local entrepreneurs took part in workshops to strengthen their business strategies, fine-tune their budgets and perfect their pitches, then competed for $22,500 in prize money from QEDF and the Questa Credit Union. Seven winners received grants for equipment, signage, technology, marketing and supplies, investments that are already boosting local economic activity and gross receipts tax revenues. The second annual QBB Pitch Contest will kick off early in 2026.
Workforce housing continues to be a top concern for our area. QEDF partnered with the Taos Housing Partnership and other collaborators to advance preliminary initiatives: exploring zoning updates through the Village of Questa for accessory dwelling units (casitas), rehabilitating vacant homes for rental properties and laying groundwork for new affordable housing developments.
Environmental stewardship remains a high priority. QEDF partnered with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative and the Village of Questa on the green hydrogen project slated to break ground this year. A sponsorship of Cultivo youth internships focused on sustainable agriculture, and work with Chevron on produced water innovation is helping to protect northern New Mexico’s freshwater resources.
QEDF secured more than $125,000 in New Mexico Trails+ grants for outdoor recreation, which supported trail mapping in Largo Canyon, identified beginner rock-climbing routes and invested in engineering and environmental work on the Questa to Red River Trail, positioning Questa within one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.
Beautification and the creative economy continued to reshape the look and feel of the village. Youth-led “dumpster art,” the installation of new activity- and attraction-themed light pole banners and a new Highway 38 welcome sign, painted by local artist Peggy Trigg, are helping tell Questa’s story to residents and visitors alike.
That story is also being told through the Questa del Rio News, which had a banner year. The paper raised more than $140,000 in grants, donations and subscriptions, plus doubled its advertising sales projections. The paper’s digital reach for breaking local news now tops over 300,000 monthly Facebook viewers. These stories are also honored by being archived in Washington, D.C.’s Library of Congress.
Tourism and marketing efforts, through the New Mexico True Cooperative Campaign, leveraged a $30,000 annual investment into $90,000 in marketing value promoting Questa. QEDF continues to stand out as a Certified Economic Development Organization. For the second consecutive year, it was one of only 12 organizations statewide to receive a $40,000 operational grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department for meeting stringent economic development standards.
As QEDF looks ahead to 2026, our mission remains rooted in community values, supporting business opportunities, preserving our cultural heritage and building a future that reflects what makes Questa unique.
