18 companies approved for Job Training Incentive Program funding in first quarter of 2026
SANTA FE, N.M. (Mar. 23, 2026) — New Mexico continues to strengthen its workforce pipeline through targeted investment in job training and talent development. In the first quarter of 2026, the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) approved funding through its Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) to support 18 companies in hiring, training and upskilling a total of 398 workers statewide.
The approved awards reflect the state’s strategic focus on high-growth sectors including intelligent manufacturing, aerospace, advanced energy, value-added agriculture, and film and media production — industries that are increasingly shaping New Mexico’s economic trajectory.
“Companies choose New Mexico because we have invested in our workforce from cradle to career,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “By directing job training resources toward our target industries, we are ensuring that communities across the state benefit from local business expansion, higher-quality jobs and long-term economic growth.”
Through JTIP, the state reimburses employers for at least 50% of trainee wages for up to six months, with enhanced incentives available for companies operating in rural and frontier communities, as well as those hiring graduates from New Mexico’s education and training institutions. The program is designed to accelerate workforce readiness while supporting business expansion and recruitment efforts.
EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black emphasized the program’s growing impact on economic competitiveness. “JTIP continues to deliver measurable results as companies expand operations in New Mexico and invest in local talent,” he said. “These approvals demonstrate that the state remains open for business and committed to building a workforce that supports emerging and advanced industries.”
Statewide Workforce Investment Highlights
Key highlights from the first three months of 2026 include:
- Five of the 18 approved companies are first-time JTIP participants, underscoring the program’s expanding reach among both new and existing employers.
- Funding will support workforce development efforts in communities including Albuquerque, Alcalde, Corrales, Las Vegas, Moriarty, Portales and Taos.
- Navitas Global plans to hire 38 new employees in Portales as part of its expansion in low-carbon fuel and feed additive production.
- PPC Solar continues to leverage JTIP’s Step Up program to enhance internal talent mobility, with 98 employees approved for training to date and strong retention outcomes.
- Companies such as Mantis Space are utilizing JTIP in conjunction with other state programs following relocation or expansion into New Mexico.
The 18 companies approved for JTIP funding from January-March 2026 are:
- 3D Glass (Albuquerque) designs, prototypes and produces next-generation glass micro-devices, circuits and bio-arrays. In February, it was approved to train one employee at an hourly wage of $79 for a total award of $44,994 (amended from previously awarded amount).
- ABB Installation (Albuquerque) is a manufacturer of underground cable connections and accessories for electrical distribution grids, fault circuit indicators and current sensors. In February, it was approved to train 77 employees at an average hourly wage of $24 for a total award of $534,174.
- ABC Technology Group (Albuquerque) is an advanced technology company delivering solutions in AI, robotics, quantum computing, data engineering and more. In March, it was approved to train 111 employees at an average hourly wage of $48 and 18 interns at an average hourly wage of $43, for a total award of $3,376,345.*
- Apaluma (Albuquerque) is a unified intelligence platform for government data. In January, it was approved to train two employees at an average hourly wage of $83 for a total award of $92,637.
- B PUBLIC Prefab LLC (Las Vegas) focuses on addressing housing and climate challenges through high-performance building systems, sustainable materials and accessible design. In January, it was approved to train three employees at an average hourly wage of $25 for a total award of $39,266.
- BlackVe Inc. (Albuquerque) is a privately held defense and space technology company. In January, it was approved to train nine employees at an average hourly wage of $57 for a total award of $295,335.
- Eden Pharmacy LLC (Albuquerque) is a high-growth sterile and non-sterile compounding prescription pharmacy. In March, it was approved to train 31 employees at an average hourly wage of $40 for a total award of $$641,278.*
- FishSki Provisions (Alcalde) is a dry food manufacturer, private label manufacturer and co-packer of “adventure-ready meals.” In February, it was approved to train five employees at an average hourly wage of $24 for a total award of $71,874.*
- halflife* digital (Albuquerque) is a film production and post-production company specializing in commercial work and branded content. In March, it was approved to train six employees at an average hourly wage of $38 for a total award of $133,060.*
- Ideum Inc. (Corrales) creates educational software exhibits, multitouch tables and touch walls. In March, it was approved to train nine employees at an average hourly wage of $31 for a total award of $202,952.
- Jaguar Precision Machine Corp (Albuquerque) is a veteran-owned, high-precision manufacturing company, specializing in prototype machining for aerospace, defense and government clients. In January, it was approved to train one employee at an hourly wage of $40 for a total award of $18,264, amended from their November 2025 application.
- Kairos Power LLC (Albuquerque) is developing a next-generation molten fluoride salt-cooled reactor designed to deliver safe, scalable and cost-effective clean nuclear energy. In January, it was approved to train 25 employees at an average hourly wage of $52 for a total award of $686,470.
- Mantis Space (Albuquerque) builds orbital infrastructure to grow the space economy. In February (amended from its January award), it was approved to train three employees at an average hourly wage of $88 for a total award of $152,508.
- Mesa Quantum Systems Inc. (Albuquerque) develops chip-scale quantum sensors and atomic clocks. In March, it was approved to train five employees at an average hourly wage of $51 for a total award of $145,776.*
- Navitas Global LLC (Portales) produces low-carbon-intensity ethanol fuel along with high-value protein feed additives. In March, it was approved to train six employees at an average hourly wage of $27 for a total award of $713,680.
- Paradise Power Company Inc. (PPC Solar) (Taos) specializes in the development, design and installation of commercial, utility, and residential photovoltaic systems. In January, it was awarded Step Up funding to upskill 15 trainees with an award of up to $9,651.
- Sceye Inc. (Moriarty) designs and deploys advanced, solar-powered stratospheric airships to provide connectivity, earth observation, and environmental monitoring. In March, it was approved to train seven employees at an average hourly wage of $60 for a total award of $315,482.
- Securin Inc. (Albuquerque) provides customers with a suite of security solutions. In January, it was approved to train 12 employees at an average hourly wage of $54 and 18 interns at an average hourly wage of $19, for a total award of $480,632.
* This is the company’s first JTIP application.
Learn more about JTIP at edd.newmexico.gov/JTIP
Supporting Innovation Across Target Industries
The first-quarter approvals include companies operating in a range of advanced technology and manufacturing sectors. From aerospace and defense suppliers to quantum technology developers, renewable energy firms and digital media producers, JTIP funding is helping to strengthen talent pipelines aligned with New Mexico’s long-term economic development strategy.
Notable participants include advanced manufacturing firms such as ABB Installation and Jaguar Precision Machine Corp.; technology innovators including ABC Technology Group and Mesa Quantum Systems; energy and clean-technology leaders such as Kairos Power and Paradise Power Company; and space-economy companies including Sceye and Mantis Space.
Collectively, these investments reflect New Mexico’s broader approach to economic development — aligning workforce training resources with targeted industry recruitment and expansion initiatives to drive sustainable growth.
As competition for skilled labor intensifies nationwide, programs like JTIP are becoming a critical tool in site-selection decisions. By reducing training costs for employers while strengthening local talent pipelines, New Mexico is positioning itself as a competitive destination for companies seeking operational efficiency and long-term workforce stability.
