Economic Development Center

New Mexico has a rich environment for technology commercialization national laboratories, renowned research universities, and many nonprofit research institutions. Most of these institutions offer specialized services and facilities to entrepreneurs and businesses. The Center for Economic Development is a nonprofit, regional economic and business development organization that serves as the primary point of contact for businesses interested in growing in or moving to New Mexico’s Las Vegas County. Whether you are looking for incentives, real estate or comprehensive demographic and business climate information, in need of entrepreneurship or workforce training services, or want to relocate or expand anywhere in the LV County, EDC knows the way and is willing to help in creating a structured outline on achieving goals necessary in seeing each business strive successfully.

Reception Rendering

The New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NM MEP) is an assistance center that works toward increasing small and mid-sized companies’ competitiveness. MEP’s expertise lies in many areas including: results-driven methodologies, best practices, and innovative technologies designed to increase profitability.

The New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program offers technical assistance to New Mexico small businesses. Businesses with a technical challenge that require special expertise can seek assistance from scientists or engineers at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Such projects include testing, design consultation, and access to special equipment or facilities.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program urges small businesses to participate in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the objective of commercialization. The program is competitive and requires an application, which can be awarded a monetary prize for the purpose of conducting the research outlined in the application.

DORMITORIES FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY, HEALTH, AND SUCCESS

Luna Community College, located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, is a public institution that offers associate degrees and certifications in various fields.

With nearly 1,000 students attending Luna Community College, the school has stated that they have a need for on-site student dormitories, as students currently have to rent from private homeowners or rent from Highlands University. While Highlands generously offers this housing opportunity, Luna students get second choice and have to commute to and from class.

Luna Community College has expressed the desire for dormitories that reinforce a sense of community, guiding residents to interact with one another while still retaining their individual identity and privacy. Alongside the primary program of a dormitory building for students, the school is looking for other options to develop its economic opportunities.

Dormitory Building from Student Plaza

Proposed in our design is a 97,427 square foot, four story dormitory building, hosting sixty-six units with two beds per unit. The first floor features ten ADA/ Universal units, allowing for residents with mobility impairments to access their homes without the reliance on an elevator. Also located on the first floor is the administration office, reception, bike storage, mail room, and community event center. The second and third floor are nearly identical, each holding twenty of the “typical” unit types, with the fourth floor featuring twelve family units and four more typical style units reserved for Resident Assistants. Each floor of the building features a community kitchen/game room, seating/gathering areas, study rooms, and a laundry room with five washers and five dryers each.

Outside the main building, to the East, is a 7,132 square foot commercial building that houses the school store, a cafe, and four micro retail spaces. The school store, selling mainly necessities for students, the cafe, for a quick bite or coffee, and the micro-retail spaces, which can be leased to students or community members looking to start a business. Alternatively, the microretail and cafe can be easily redesigned into a daycare, allowing students with kids a safe, easily accessible option for childcare while they work and attend classes.