Santa Fe, NM — October Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) Awards were appropriated to ten New Mexico companies, announced Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes. More than $3 million dollars in funds will help train 312 employees and interns, helping to grow the job market in New Mexico.
Average hourly wages of the trainees run from $16.39 to $53.82. Employees will be trained to advance their careers in many industries, including solar design and installation, biotechnology, biodefense and security, aerospace, robotics, high-tech software design, advanced technology and engineering, medical use radiation shielding, and to feed our families and pets – dairy processing, and organic/non-GMO certified dog and cat food.
“Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham has designated nine target industries for growth to move us toward economic diversity and resilience,” Secy Keyes said. “These ten JTIP awardees are perfect examples of our support for several of these industries, including value-added agriculture, bioscience, intelligent manufacturing, cybersecurity, aerospace and aviation, and sustainable energy.”
The companies receiving JTIP funds are:
- Affordable Solar, Albuquerque, has installed over 2,500 solar energy systems in New Mexico and supplied more than 22,000 systems to commercial, industrial, scientific, community, and residential customers in 96 countries. Total trainees: 44; Average hourly wage: $27.79; Total interns: 2; Average hourly wage for interns: $17; JTIP award amount approved: $553,745.84.
- BennuBio, Inc. is a growing Albuquerque biotechnology startup that provides valuable cellular and particle diagnostic instrumentation for markets that include biomedical diagnostic via flow cytometry. Their technology can help researchers better identify which biological samples warrant further testing and their three-dimensional models play an important role in personalized medicine, cancer, and immunotherapy research. Total trainees: 7; Average hourly wage: $32.43; JTIP award amount approved: $121,258
- BioFlyte, Inc., Albuquerque, is a biodefense and microbial identification company that is commercializing a revolutionary new class of fieldable biological contamination sampling, detection, and identification solutions. The firm’s current application focus is critical infrastructure protection and pandemic response. Total trainees: 7; Average hourly wage: $32.43; JTIP award amount approved: $121,258
- The Boeing Company is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space, and security systems. The company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Products and services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communications systems, and performance-based logistics training. Total trainees: 17; Average hourly wage: $53.82; JTIP award amount approved: $519,855.64
- Build With Robots, Inc. (BWR) was founded in Albuquerque and showcases automation and robotic solutions at its locations within the Central New Mexico Community College FUSE makerspace and in the Verge Building downtown. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he company’s robots use the latest-generation technology to enhance productivity. BWR has built a sanitizing robot named Breezy One that provides autonomous disinfection at large facilities such as the Albuquerque International Sunport, St. Mary’s School, Houston Airport, and George Bush National Airport, as well as other large facilities throughout the country. Total trainees: 1; Hourly wage: $26.50; Total interns: 2; Average hourly wage for interns: $22; JTIP award amount approved: $ $29,238
- IDEAS Engineering & Technology LLC, Albuquerque, provides cost-effective embedded system solutions for high-reliability applications to government and commercial customers. With a strong focus in the aerospace market, the company’s portfolio of solutions includes digital microelectronics, high0performance and high-reliability embedded systems, and computing and sensing systems. Total trainees: 1; Hourly wage: $22.50; JTIP award amount approved: $10,800.00
- Kairos Power LLC, Albuquerque, is an advanced energy technology and engineering company focused on the development of a clean, innovative nuclear technology that has the potential to transform the energy landscape in the U.S. and around the world. The N.M. facility conducts non-nuclear testing of technology to utilize low-pressure molten fluoride salt as a coolant in a novel advanced nuclear reactor with an inherently safe design. Total trainees: 36; Average hourly wage: $47.67; JTIP award amount approved: $899,326.16
- Lancs Industries, Inc., Albuquerque, produces products that facilitate the safe handling of radioactive nuclear waste and provide shielding from nuclear emissions. The company has produced over 80% of the radiation shielding used in U.S. nuclear power plans and Naval facilities, and is one of the larges producers of flexible lead0free shielding products. A producer of containment products used in medical and pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, Lancs also began producing PPE at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Total trainees: 2; Average hourly wage: $27.38; JTIP award amount approved: $28,470
- Marty’s Meals, Inc., Santa Fe, prepares species-appropriate dog and cat food recipes using fresh, whole ingredients, sourced from ethical ranchers and farmers from New Mexico when available. Marty’s Meals products support special dietary needs and health conditions, and all of their food is organic/non-GMO certified. Products are sold fresh and frozen in their market locations in Santa Fe and Boulder, CO, and online. Total trainees: 3; Average hourly wage: $17.83; JTIP award amount approved: $18,120
- Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Las Cruces, is one of the top ten dairy processors in the world, employing approximately 17,200 people worldwide. The company has 66 plants and its products are sold in over 50 countries. The plant in Las Cruces produces Frigo Cheese Heads string cheese and plans to double its production capacity at that location. Total trainees: 189; Average hourly wage: $16.39; JTIP award amount approved: $779,752.32
Thanks in part to state funding, Kairos Power plans to create nearly 80 new jobs at their Albuquerque facility over the next several years. Photo courtesy of Kairos Power LLC.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department‘s mission is to improve the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunities and providing a place for businesses to thrive.
Media Contact:
Bruce Krasnow
Bruce.Krasnow@state.nm.us
cell: (505) 795-0119
(505) 827-0226
