AGP Executive Report

Utility & M&A: New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission ordered PNM and Blackstone Infrastructure to undo a controversial $400M stock sale completed without prior approval, ruling the transaction is void even as the broader acquisition case moves forward. Banking: Bank7 Corp agreed to buy about 71% of Santa Fe-based Century Financial Services, extending its Southwest footprint; the deal is expected to close in Q3 pending regulators. Digital equity: New Mexico rolled out a Community Wi‑Fi program to expand public wireless access and launched a Permit Finder Tool to help providers navigate broadband construction permitting. Public health & workforce: UNM is placing New Mexico high school students into paid lab work to monitor mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects, supporting ongoing surveillance. Local media: New Mexico in Focus’ “State of Local Media” special spotlights the future of newspapers and hyperlocal reporting, including investigative efforts and community news models. Food safety: FDA put a nationwide potato chip recall at its highest risk level over possible Salmonella contamination, affecting products distributed in most states. Energy & industry: Centrus finalized a $900M DOE task order to move its HALEU enrichment cascade toward commercial operations. Water crisis: Estancia’s wells are running dry, and the town has reduced sales to a nearby detention facility as residents push for faster fixes.

Cannabis Enforcement: New Mexico is rolling out a new cannabis enforcement push, with the Regulation and Licensing Department’s cannabis cops targeting the black market after industry complaints that legal operators are being undercut. Water Stress & Local Governance: Estancia’s water crisis is now a political fight—residents say the system is inadequate, the town is hauling in water, and the detention facility is a major customer as commissioners move to replace the mayor. Data Centers & Power/Water Planning: Santa Fe County became the latest NM community to adopt an 18-month data center moratorium, aiming to set guardrails on water, energy, and noise before new projects land. Economic Development: The state’s Job Training Incentive Program approved $12 million to support more than 440 jobs this quarter, backing hiring and upskilling across 70 companies in FY26. Public Health & Livestock Risk: New World screwworm cases remain active in Texas and New Mexico, prompting tighter animal-movement rules elsewhere and continued federal-state response planning. Local Business & Infrastructure: Albuquerque’s Bliss Building demolition is underway but delayed by safety and asbestos work after a partial collapse, with no timeline yet for when the structure will come down.

Data Center Policy: Santa Fe County approved an 18-month moratorium on data center permits, aiming to build rules around water, energy and noise before projects like “Project Jupiter” move forward. Workforce & Economic Development: New Mexico’s Job Training Incentive Program approved $12 million to support hiring and training for more than 440 workers, with tech-heavy participation. Advanced Tech Pitch: Economic Development Secretary Rob Black told lawmakers New Mexico is positioned for quantum and fusion investment, citing a strong quantum-scientist workforce and recent funding. Health Care Costs & Access: A report highlights for-profit emergency room operators opting out of Medicare, raising concerns that some patients are asked to pay before being treated. Public Records Pressure: A state task force heard complaints that New Mexico’s Inspection of Public Records Act is being used for high-volume requests, straining local agencies. Business Growth & Deals: CLA acquired Perkins & Company, expanding its Pacific Northwest footprint. Local Real Estate: Esencia de Santa Fe held a grand opening for a 277-acre master-planned community. Immigration Impact: A Supreme Court birthright citizenship ruling drew reactions from New Mexico leaders.

Wildfire response: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed emergency orders directing state agencies to fund wildfire emergency response, including $500,000 for the McCauley Springs Fire as multiple large blazes are actively suppressed. Public safety & local enforcement: The City of Las Vegas announced zero-tolerance enforcement on illegal fireworks amid severe drought and wildfire risk, warning that even one spark can ignite fast-moving fires. Energy infrastructure: Albuquerque saw temporary lane closures on 6th Street NW for natural gas pipeline repairs, with reopening expected early next week. Downtown redevelopment: Albuquerque began demolition of the Bliss Building, home to Lindy’s Diner, after owners failed to follow through; asbestos remediation is underway and Central Avenue is expected to reopen by July 15. Agriculture & livestock health: New World screwworm detections rose to 29 total U.S. cases, with ranchers facing quarantines, surveillance, and sterile fly releases as officials ramp up outreach. Tech & legal risk: Meta faces ongoing scrutiny over child safety and AI-related workplace practices, while TikTok’s parent company reportedly settled a social media addiction lawsuit out of court. Policy & business climate: New Mexico lawmakers held a press conference on Project Jupiter, as residents raise concerns about data center impacts.

Prediction Markets & Regulation: A judge blocked Kalshi in Michigan during the World Cup knockout run, after the state AG alleged violations of gambling and sports betting laws—another sign states are pushing back on how prediction markets are overseen. Childcare Costs: New national data highlights how steep childcare expenses are for families, with WalletHub ranking California among the most expensive states as a share of income. New Mexico Energy & Oil Revenue: New Mexico is projected to pull in about $500 million from higher oil prices, with lawmakers discussing how to route the windfall toward programs like universal childcare and Medicaid. State Budget Relief Proposal: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is floating $250 rebate checks funded by the $825 million oil windfall to offset high gas prices. Local Economic Development: New Mexico awarded more than $375,000 to five business incubators for certification and feasibility work under the Certified Business Incubator Program. Permian Growth: EON Resources laid out a 2026-2030 plan to grow output in New Mexico’s Permian Basin, targeting 10,000 barrels per day by 2030. Data Center Community Pushback: New Mexico residents say their names were used without permission in comments tied to Project Jupiter’s air permit process, as the public comment period runs through July 6. Medicare Contract: Novitas Solutions won a Medicare Jurisdiction H contract covering New Mexico and several other states, extending its role as a claims administrator. Politics & Leadership: New Mexico House Republicans elected Rep. Gail Armstrong as the first woman to lead their caucus, setting up a new minority floor leadership era.

Energy Relief: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing $250 rebate checks for New Mexicans, funded by a projected $825 million oil windfall, as gas prices and everyday costs keep squeezing household budgets. Local Tech Leadership: Albuquerque is searching for a permanent director for its Department of Technology and Innovation after a leadership transition, with an acting director now running cybersecurity and citywide tech operations. County Oversight: Doña Ana County has been ordered to appoint an outside fiscal agent after a special audit found systemic failures in how state funds and grants were managed. Water Priorities: Chaves County commissioners approved a resolution to prioritize and protect water for agriculture, warning that declining supplies threaten the county’s economic stability and way of life. Business Growth in Care: PACS Group agreed to buy 34 skilled nursing facilities from Eduro Healthcare, including one New Mexico site, expanding into four additional states. Albuquerque Events & Commerce: The New Mexico Indian Market is set to close after too few vendors, even as it remains open for a final stretch. Wildfire Response: Albuquerque-based 10 Tanker Air Carrier deployed DC-10 air tankers to help fight an Arizona wildfire, underscoring the state’s role in regional emergency support.

Energy & Utilities: PNM is rolling out customer-facing tools through its My Energy Usage platform to help New Mexicans track electricity use by appliance and spot bill-saving habits, with SmartMeter upgrades promising more proactive alerts. Oil & Gas Dealmaking: Matador Resources’ JV San Mateo Midstream agreed to buy Cardinal Midstream Partners’ Cardinal Delaware Basin LLC and Cardinal New Mexico LLC for $752 million, expanding Delaware Basin processing and gathering capacity. Water & PFAS Cleanup: New Mexico and U.S. Air Force officials say talks are “thawing” as they move toward remediation of PFAS contamination at Cannon Air Force Base, where the plume has spread for years and affected residents and livestock. State Budget Pressure: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham proposes a $250 rebate funded by a projected $825 million oil windfall, aiming to offset higher gas costs and broader household impacts. Public Health & Rural Economy: Lawmakers are pushing for a fully resourced, coordinated federal response to New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, warning the outbreak could threaten livestock, wildlife, pets, and rural businesses. Local Business: Albuquerque’s New Mexico Indian Market is closing due to a vendor shortage, despite strong early customer support. Aerial Firefighting: Albuquerque-based 10 Tanker Air Carrier deployed DC-10 air tankers to help fight Arizona’s Round Valley Fire. Broadband Access: Mission Telecom says it reached 20,000 connected families and is expanding library hotspot lending after E-Rate changes.

Oil & Gas Earnings: Mexco Energy Corporation reported fiscal 2026 net income of $1.31M (down 24%) as operating revenues fell 8%, with New Mexico’s Delaware Basin still central to its horizontal drilling plans. Workforce & Care Shortages: New Mexico’s adult daycare system is also strained, with only 31 programs statewide and 19 counties lacking services—adding pressure as dementia cases rise. Tech in Daily Life: Mango Automotive expanded Albuquerque EV maintenance guidance, pointing to heat-driven battery and cooling stress as summer adoption grows. Local Business & Community: Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District launched “Voltage Visions,” turning transformer boxes into youth-designed murals funded by the state. Film Economy Shock: Netflix canceled “The Boroughs” after one season, a blow to New Mexico’s film vendors that had generated major local spending and jobs. Energy Demand Watch: Colorado communities are slowing data center growth over power, water, and tax-incentive concerns—an issue New Mexico businesses are watching closely. Public Safety & Health: A New Mexico governor called for action after DEA fentanyl decisions drew criticism, while national coverage continues to spotlight healthcare fraud and social media liability lawsuits.

EV Policy Uncertainty: New Mexico’s electric vehicle mandate is stuck in legal limbo after a court fight, leaving dealers saying there’s “no EV mandate” while sales slide and the 2027-to-2032 targets remain disputed. Energy Costs & Grid Spending: Southern New Mexico ratepayers pushed back on El Paso Electric’s proposed rate hike, arguing it would add more than $40 to typical bills while critics question the need given the utility’s profitability. Cannabis Enforcement: New Mexico is rolling out a new cannabis enforcement bureau aimed at cracking down on illegal marijuana activity statewide, with industry watching for results. Small-Business & Community Events: Santa Fe’s 505 Night Market debuts this summer as a free, family-friendly showcase for local food, art, and music, with 80+ vendors already signed up. Water & Infrastructure: The state’s broader water pressures remain in focus as drought and scarcity concerns grow, while local infrastructure planning continues, including sewer design work tied to development readiness. Wildfire Risk: Extreme heat and drought fueled major wildfires across the West, including a Utah-Colorado blaze that killed three firefighters.

Colorado River Crisis: The seven basin states walked away from negotiations without a post-2026 management plan, as a new Bureau of Reclamation study warns Lake Powell could fall below levels needed for Glen Canyon Dam power generation. Cannabis Enforcement: New Mexico is rolling out a statewide cannabis enforcement bureau to target black-market marijuana, with early operations already underway across multiple regions. Energy & Rates: Southern New Mexico ratepayers are pushing back on El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increase, arguing it would raise typical bills by $40+ while boosting utility earnings. Local Infrastructure: The Kerrville Economic Improvement Corporation approved up to $500,000 for design work on a Quinlan Creek sewer line intended to unlock north-side development and position the project for federal funding. Oil & Gas Outlook: A Dallas Fed survey shows oilfield activity strengthening in Texas and nearby states, even as executives flag uncertainty around oil prices tied to the Iran conflict. Food Security: Albuquerque’s “Food Is Medicine Produce Fair” delivered free locally grown produce to residents facing food insecurity, with nutrition demos and anti-hunger program info.

Screwworm Watch: USDA says New World screwworm detections have risen to 20 total cases, with the newest in Texas and all active cases still in Texas, but New Mexico remains in the mix—raising stakes for livestock owners and animal movement rules. Local Government Pay: Grant County commissioners voted unanimously to raise pay for future elected officials, with the next sheriff salary set to jump to $92,000 effective July 1. Higher Ed & Facilities: Western New Mexico University’s Board of Regents approved its 2028-32 infrastructure plan, including planning/design money for a potential new baseball facility, while also opening the door for public bids on items from the president’s residence. Small Business & Retail: Albuquerque’s West Side is set to welcome Shoku House, a Japanese brunch spot opening by August at McMahon Marketplace, as part of a broader wave of new eateries. Community Events: The Santa Fe Wine Festival returns for its 32nd anniversary over Fourth of July weekend, featuring 17 New Mexico wineries at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. Public Health Holiday Ops: New Mexico Department of Health offices will close for July 4, with the helpline still available during regular hours. Business Climate Debate: A guest perspective argues against Sedona’s “home rule” measure, framing it as a fight over spending oversight and local control.

Public Health: New Mexico Department of Health offices will close for the Fourth of July, with the NMDOH nurse helpline still available July 4 during regular hours. Energy & Utilities: Bernhard Capital Partners is asking the state Public Regulation Commission to remove some redactions from a report tied to the proposed $1.25 billion sale of New Mexico Gas Co., pushing for more transparency in the regulatory process. Local Economic Development: Albuquerque is moving forward on an Old Town Business Improvement District, with $40,000 directed for a feasibility study and petition support, pending property-owner backing. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez opened a criminal investigation into whether DEA agents broke state law by allowing large fentanyl shipments to reach Albuquerque streets during federal probes. Agriculture & Animal Health: The New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas livestock and in a New Mexico dog, prompting urgent calls for early detection and treatment to protect herds and food prices. Tech & Security: Quantum computing is getting a major push, with the White House backing research, military use, and protections against quantum-era cyber threats. Transportation: A semitruck fire closed I-25 south of the Truth or Consequences exit, rerouting traffic through downtown while crews responded. Business & Community: Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone is set to brief county council on cameras and data collection. Sports Betting Regulation: Kalshi is asking a New Mexico court to dismiss a tribal lawsuit over sports-event prediction markets, arguing tribes can’t regulate nonmembers off tribal lands. Local Business Spotlight: Old Town’s BID effort and the city’s funding push aim to boost cleaning, security, and marketing for historic commercial corridors.

Fentanyl enforcement under scrutiny: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez opened a criminal investigation into whether DEA agents broke state law after reports they monitored but didn’t seize fentanyl shipments that later hit Albuquerque streets, turning a tactics debate into a legal question about public-safety risk. Oil & gas drilling update: EON Resources says it’s on track to start the first three horizontal wells in the San Andres formation in Southeast New Mexico this July, with a 92-well program planned across Eddy County. Tribal gaming vs. prediction markets: Kalshi asked a New Mexico court to dismiss a Mescalero Apache Tribe lawsuit, arguing tribes can’t regulate a nonmember firm and that oversight belongs with the CFTC. Small-business push: Deb Haaland laid out a small-business agenda in Albuquerque, including a statewide Office of Small Business and steps aimed at cutting regulatory barriers. Wildfire fuel removal funding: U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján introduced the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act, proposing $25M a year to move “woody biomass” out of forests and support rural jobs. Local development delay: Rio Rancho postponed a final vote on a Maverik gas station site plan, sending it to Sept. 10 after resident concerns about access and nearby competition.

Semiconductors & jobs: BHP-backed I-Pulse won a $250 million CHIPS award to develop silicon-carbide power devices, with an Albuquerque-led team near Sandia and AFRL—aimed at strengthening U.S. supply chains for pulsed-power uses like geothermal drilling. Water & agriculture: New Mexico researchers are fielding urgent questions as drought deepens and Rio Grande flows strain—what it means for farms, businesses, ecosystems, and day-to-day water reliability. Food security: NMSU received a $759,000 grant to breed mechanically harvestable, disease-resistant green chile targeting Phytophthora capsici. Local governance & data centers: Raton residents are pushing back on a proposed data center after city approval of a feasibility study, while Doña Ana County says “Project Jupiter” is out of compliance for missing job reports and environmental documents. Disaster recovery: FEMA reported more than $3.51 billion in Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire assistance to over 24,500 claims. Tribal gaming & prediction markets: Four New Mexico tribes sued Kalshi to block online sports prediction contracts, arguing they violate tribal gaming rights; a state lawmaker is weighing compact renegotiation.

Semiconductors & Federal Funding: I-Pulse Inc., which runs labs in New Mexico, is set to receive $250 million through the CHIPS program to develop semiconductor components for a geothermal drilling method using high-power electricity surges. Water & Power Risk: Lake Powell is entering summer at record-low levels, with federal projections warning it could drop to “minimum power pool” next spring—raising the odds of Glen Canyon Dam power cutoffs and a worst-case “dead pool” scenario. Animal Health & Livestock Costs: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and a dog in New Mexico, prompting tighter interstate movement rules in other states and renewed focus on prevention and treatment for ranchers and pet owners. Public Health & Commerce: Wisconsin’s DOJ welcomed Shopify’s move to ban all vaping product sales on its platform, following a coalition push—another sign of Big Tech tightening under state pressure. Local Business & Jobs: Applied Research Associates (ARA) in Albuquerque says it has achieved “awardable” status on DARPA’s ERIS Marketplace, positioning its therapeutics manufacturing approach for faster government purchasing. Community & Economy: Albuquerque Film Office was named a finalist for a major international film commission award, citing support for Apple TV’s “Pluribus” and local hiring. State Watch: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham asked New Mexico’s AG to investigate DEA agents over allegations they let fentanyl pills reach New Mexico streets.

Screwworm Watch: USDA data show the New World screwworm outbreak has climbed to 20 confirmed U.S. cases, with Texas leading and one new detection in neighboring New Mexico, as federal officials push a coordinated “One Health” response and $105M in funding for detection and eradication. Public Safety & Health: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is asking New Mexico’s AG to investigate DEA agents after reporting claims federal authorities let large fentanyl shipments reach Albuquerque-area communities, including 74,000 pills delivered without seizure. Local Business & Compliance: Doña Ana County says Project Jupiter data-center developers failed to submit required job-hire reports under an industrial revenue bond agreement, with annual reporting due July 31. Legal & Consumer Protection: Parents of a Missouri 12-year-old suing Snap allege Snapchat’s Quick Add and Snap Map features helped enable an adult stranger’s assault, adding pressure as New Mexico AG previously sued Snap over child safety. Healthcare Fraud: DOJ and NM AG filed a federal civil forfeiture complaint seeking more than $2M from a New Mexico non-emergency medical transportation company tied to Medicaid billing fraud. Housing Finance: FHLB Dallas and First National Bank Texas helped fund Laguna #4 affordable housing in Laguna, renovating 40 homes with a $1M AHP grant.