FW: Gov. Richardson outlines economic plan for New Mexico

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Thought you might be interested in the Technology part - scroll down!
Cathie

Catherine E. Zacher, President
Santa Fe Economic Development, Inc.
624 Agua Fria (87501)  P.O. Box 8184 (87504)
505.984.2842   www.sfedi.org <http://www.sfedi.org>     [hidden email]
<mailto:[hidden email]>

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world....indeed it's the only thing that ever has!

> State of New Mexico
> Office of the Governor
>
> Bill Richardson
> Governor
>
> For Immediate Release
> Contact: Gilbert Gallegos
> Sept. 15, 2004
> (Santa Fe) 505-476-2217
>
> Governor Bill Richardson outlines economic
> plan for New Mexico
>
> CARLSBAD - Governor Bill Richardson today announced his jobs and economic
> opportunity agenda for the 2005 legislative session.
>
> Governor Richardson will work with the Legislature to build on New

Mexico's
> economic successes during the past two years.
>
> "We have taken bold steps to create better opportunities for New
Mexicans,"

> Governor Bill Richardson said. "We're doing that by attracting new
> businesses, assisting existing businesses and creating high-wage jobs for
> our people.
>
> "But we can't rest on our laurels. There is more to be done. Today, I have
> put forward a specific agenda - an agenda that we must adopt if we are to
> continue to move New Mexico forward."
>
> Governor Richardson is focusing on four areas:
>
> Rural New Mexico
> 1. Committing $2 million in capital outlay money to the state
> Main Street Fund. The money will supplement the money that Governor
> Richardson targeted for several communities this year to expand design,
> planning and small business assistance programs.
> 2. Request an additional $600,000 to expand New Mexico's Rural
> Entrepreneur Development program. The money will allow the state to hold a
> statewide competition and select three more counties to participate in

this
> innovative and results-oriented program.
> 3. Ask the Legislature to permanently extend the Rural Jobs Tax
> Credit that is set to expire in 2005. This tax incentive provides roughly
a
> $1,000 credit, for four years, for every new economic-base job in rural
New
> Mexico.
>
> Film and Digital Media
> 1. Designate $1 million for a comprehensive film-training
> program. The money will be used as part of the Advanced Worker Program
that
> targets existing film-crew members who need to upgrade or enhance their
> skills.
> 2. Expand the state's 15% refund on expenses made in New Mexico
> while shooting a film here to include all types of pre- and post-
production
> so that we can encourage filmmakers to employ more New Mexicans and
editing
> facilities, sound mixing, animation, and other digital technologies.
>
> High Technology
> Create a tax holiday for small, early-stage, technology
> companies that are heavily investing in research and development.
Companies

> will be eligible for the tax holiday if they:
> o Have fewer than 25 employees
> o Generate less than $10 million in
> revenue
> o Invest 20% or more of that revenue
> in research and development
>
> Aviation
> 1. Propose specific changes to attract small planes, corporate
> jets and commuter airlines to New Mexico for servicing and repair.
> 2. Form a New Mexico Spaceport Authority so that it can be in
> charge of planning and construction of this important facility. The
> Authority will be able to receive state and federal funds, grants, and

work

> in partnership with the private space industry to develop the area around
> the Spaceport.
>
> #30#
>
> Gilbert Gallegos
> Deputy Director of Communications
> Office of the Governor
> Telephone:  [phone]
> Fax:  [phone]
> [hidden email]
>
>
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