About the Economic Recovery Team Support for Small Businesses
The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) has a team actively working in disaster-impacted communities to support small businesses with disaster recovery. The team helps connect businesses to available grants, loans, and other disaster recovery resources. They can also work with small businesses to recommend strategies for disaster preparedness. This support is free and available to small businesses in Lincoln County and Mescalero.
To request support or to let us know about resources you have to support small businesses, call the State Disaster Case Management mainline at 505-670-4662 or email us at DHSEM-DCM@dhsem.nm.gov.
Grants for Disaster-Impacted Small Businesses
The Business Development & Expansion Grant
The New Mexico Economic Development Department Creative Industries Division is offering the Business Development & Expansion Grant. The grant provides funding for inventory, equipment, marketing, promotion, and digital presence, small infrastructure improvements that can be completed in a 12-month period, technology and software improvements, and uses that help strengthen a business’ capacity for measuring impact, engagement, evaluation, and economic contributions.
To qualify, the business must be engaged in a creative enterprise with a minimum of a three year history of operations. Awards are up to $25,000.00.
There are two grant cycles for this funding: 12/1/2026 through 12/26/2025 and 2/2/2026 through 2/27/2026. A business may apply for only one of the cycles.
Doordash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund
This initiative strengthens local communities that have experienced a natural disaster by providing funding to small businesses that serve their neighborhoods every day. Selected small businesses will receive grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to invest in rent, utilities, maintenance, supplies, payroll, and other essential expenses that strengthen business operations and fuel recovery.
Heart on Mainstreet
This program provides financial assistance to independent retailers affected by natural disasters. The grant up to $10,000 is intended to help businesses recover by covering immediate expenses for reopening and sustaining operations.
VERIZON SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL READY GRANT
This Grant is part of Verizon’s commitment to equip one million small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s digital economy, ultimately strengthening their local communities.
Loans for Disaster-Impacted Small Businesses
Small Business Adminisatration (SBA)
The program provides small business disaster loans covering physical damage, mitigation assistance and economic injury at rates typically more competitive than traditional loans.
Additional Resources for Disaster-Impacted Small Businesses
NFIP FLOOD INSURANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Get Insured | National Flood Insurance Program
RUIDOSO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
https://www.ruidosonow.com/
membership@ruidosonow.com
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
New Mexico State University at Alamogordo, New Mexico
575-439-3662
www. nmsbdc.org