On October 15, the Taos County Board of Commissioners formalized several contracted services with local community partners to invest their remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, in supporting the development of youth-to-adult career development services.

The ARPA act was signed into law in March 2021 by President Biden in an effort to help Americans recover from the crippling effects of the pandemic. The funds are set to expire in December 2024, by which time they must be designated or obligated to efforts which include replacement of revenue for government services which may have been hindered due to COVID-19, assistance for small businesses or households, premium pay for essential workers, or investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.

“Taos County is committed to fostering a resilient and thriving community through strategic investments in our youth and local businesses. By leveraging the remaining ARPA funds, we are not only addressing immediate economic recovery needs but also laying the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability. These partnerships with local organizations are crucial in creating a cohesive network of support that will benefit our residents for years to come. We are excited to see the positive impact these initiatives will have on our community’s economic and social fabric,” said Taos County Manager Brent Jaramillo.

Here are the initiatives approved by Taos County:

• A partnership with the Town of Taos and Taos MainStreet to support operational planning and construction/renovation for the Business Resources & Innovation Center (BRIC) at 115 Civic Plaza Drive. The BRIC will serve as a one-stop business services center for start-ups, entrepreneurs and all Taos County businesses in need of business development support. The BRIC will house the SBDC, Taos MainStreet, Taos County Chamber of Commerce, a satellite office of the UNM-Taos HIVE, and hold office hours for Town and County Planning and Economic Development and additional community and economic development partners.

• A partnership with the Town of Taos and Taos MainStreet to take the first action steps in realizing the Destination Stewardship Plan. These initial investments will focus on building a permanent network structure while identifying opportunities for long-term equitable development within the tourism industry per the recommendations of the plan.

• A partnership with Taos Center for the Arts (TCA) to support building renovations at 132 Paseo del Pueblo Norte to serve as a teen career center and culinary learning space that will act as a hub for classes, workshops, and work-based learning opportunities that connect youth to career pathways throughout the creative economy.

• A partnership with Friends of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument to support work-based learning opportunities for local youth to gain job skills and career pathways in outdoor recreation, and to work with local outfitters to identify employment needs. The Friends group will work with the TCA to utilize 132 Paseo to cross-pollinate programming and educational opportunities.

• A partnership with the Taos Community Foundation to facilitate the partnerships with TCA and the Friends Group, and to offer an open grant application and pool for one-time investments towards workforce development and work-based learning programs throughout the county that can support economic recovery.

• ARPA funds will also be used to partner with Amigos Bravos to begin planning and design for a walking and nature path along Los Pandos Road that will connect pedestrians from Paseo del Pueblo to Witt Rd. This project is part of a larger effort to increase safety along Los Pandos Road and leverage potential grant funding to address watershed health and vitality of the Rio Fernando de Taos.

• Additional ARPA funds will be invested in affordable housing developments and used to complete all improvements to Blueberry Hill Road.

“Taos County is deeply proud to partner with the Town of Taos, and these incredible community organizations to make significant investments that will support systemic impact and opportunity for our local youth and businesses. Though the ARPA funds are a one-time investment, we believe these efforts will create a lasting effect by building capacity, infrastructure and a cohesive, collaborative approach that benefits our local residents, our youth, and spurs healthy economic growth,” said Taos County Economic Development Director Jessica Stern.