7-17-2024 12:34am

Grand Opening July 17th, 2024 Alamogordo Venture Academy

Chris Edwards Editor

The business district of New York Avenue organized under the Alamogordo MainStreet organization has had a busy spring and summer of 2024, as it helped assist with the launch and learning process of a business incubator project known as the Alamo Venture Academy.

Earlier this year a call out was made to businesses interested in participating in a series of workshops, lectures and training opportunities, then about 6 businesses would be selected to participate in a trail run in a store front setting on New York Avenue. The Alamogordo Venture Academy in its first year is pilot program funded through the Otero County Community Services Grant and geared toward aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners looking to launch a successful business in Alamogordo’s MainStreet District.

Alamogordo Venture Academy or AVA, is a Two phase accelerator program. Phase One consisted of a six-week business education academy. In partnership with SBDC and local business owners participants learned how to create a business plan, find customers, learn marketing, and much more. After successfully completing Phase One, applicants were invited to apply for Phase Two where they will have the opportunity to be in a physical location and launch their business right in the heart of our Mainstreet District.

Phase 2 is now coming together with the grand opening of the facility and a showcase of 3 businesses as a part of phase 2 of the project.

The project had 16 applicants.

Former school board member and local business leader, Amanda Jewell was a task leader behind this project in conjunction with Taylor Ojeda that spent many hours thinking of logistics, designing, thinking of what the entrepreneurs might need with every different business that applied.

Sean O’shea with HatchForm was the Economic Development Specialist from New Mexico Mainstreet who helped with the structure for the entirety of the program.

During Phase one the participants were able to learn from some of the best in the community, Trish Livingston with Alamogordo - Small Business Development Center SBDC, who not only presented but also facilitated a classroom for the 6 weeks of training, Michelle Perry with Learn New Mexico , Cindy Simmons Nowaczck from Our Little Country Store, Leighton Moon , Javier Casillas , Kevin Jewell , David Quinlan, Melanie Anaya, Vivian Beath,
Rick de Santiago each played a part in the success of the project facilitation.

The graduates that moved to phase 2 include…

Chelsea Hayes with Ebenezer Hats
Rhiannon Farley with Boujee Bandit
Rachel Anderson with Infinity Sweets
Enrique de Santiago with SAL LIMÓN Y CHILE
Zacharius Shaw with Cosmic Home
Patricia Gonzales with Cotton Valley Boutique
Ufuomakaro Ademila with D kouit Place

Phase 2 culminates with the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of the first 3 businesses to be showcased as pop up storefronts for the next several weeks. The launch and ribbon cutting is.

Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: 908 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico

AlamogordoTownNews.com and KALHRadio.org also located on New York Avenue is thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Alamo Venture Academy and its business showcase.

Come and support the first three businesses making their debut: Infinity Sweets, Boujee Bandit, and Ebenezer Hats.

We will be releasing more detailed information soon on each new business, in a series of articles we are currently working on, showcasing what’s new and exciting within the New York Avenue business district. And watch for some exciting news from Block 12 within the New York Business District coming soon!

Stay tuned for more information and details…