AGP Executive Report

Data Center Transparency Fight: Doña Ana County is facing a new lawsuit from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government over alleged Open Meetings Act issues tied to Project Jupiter, with the complaint saying the county claimed there were no responsive records after a closed-session discussion of tax incentives and developer contracts. Local Economy & Jobs: New Mexico’s unemployment rate held at 4.9% in May, but it’s still above last year (4.0% in May 2025), with job gains in retail, transportation and health services offset by losses in construction, financial activities and information. State Economic Development: The NM Economic Development Department awarded more than $375,000 to five business incubators to pursue certification under the state Certified Business Incubator Program, including Los Alamos Makers and Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Food Safety: A multistate listeria outbreak linked to a soft cheese product has prompted recalls and ongoing FDA investigation, underscoring the risk to pregnant people, older adults and immunocompromised residents. AI & Resort Tech: Sky City Acoma Casino Hotel selected QCI Resorts’ unified platform, aiming to streamline hotel, gaming and analytics operations and support AI-assisted decision-making. Infrastructure Watch: Sierra County announced major I-25 pavement rehabilitation projects, with lane reductions starting in late July and costs totaling about $24.4 million.

Wildfire & Risk Management: A lightning-sparked Deer Canyon fire in Torrance County grew to 117 acres and triggered evacuations, with officials warning that hot, dry conditions could push it closer to homes. Utility Costs & Regulation: New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission held a public comment hearing on El Paso Electric’s proposed rate increase that would raise the average customer bill by about $42 per month, with full impact targeted for October 2027. Local Giving & Education: Albuquerque contractor HB Construction marked its 35th year by donating $500,000, including $350,000 to UNM’s School of Engineering for faculty and retention support. Indigenous Retail & Community Economy: Xol Original opened a new trading post and gallery at the Shops at Hotel Chaco, expanding a nonprofit model that supports Indigenous artists through craft sales and “sovereign economics” exchanges. Energy & Industry: A Santa Fe-hosted fusion supply chain trade show signals growing fusion momentum in New Mexico, while Albuquerque’s BlackVe expansion is backed by state and city funding to add 152 jobs. Water & Agriculture Pressure: Colorado River experts argue agriculture must make permanent cuts, and drought impacts are also hitting regional ranching operations. Public Health & Livestock Threat: New World screwworm remains a business risk for animal agriculture, with new import restrictions and confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico.

Aerospace & Defense Jobs: New Mexico and Albuquerque are backing BlackVe’s Albuquerque expansion with more than $1.5 million in incentives, aiming to add 152 high-paying jobs and a 50,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility. Data Centers & Power: Microsoft is planning a 2GW data center campus in Pecos, Texas, with Chevron supplying up to 2.67GW under a long-term power deal—another sign of how power availability is driving regional growth. Water & Industrial Tech: Sigma Advanced Technologies launched mobile all-in-one ozone water treatment containers, targeting produced water and industrial wastewater reuse across the Southwest. Workforce Development: StreetWise Partners named Anna Verdiyan as CEO to expand employer partnerships and workforce mobility programs. Local Business & Retail: Affiliated Foods joined the IGA network as a licensed distribution center, extending support for independent grocers across Texas and neighboring states including New Mexico. Agriculture: A historic drought is forcing ranchers in Johnson County to sell part of their herds early to protect long-term operations. Consumer & Cost Pressure: WalletHub says fast-food spending strains budgets most in New Mexico, where the cost hits about 0.44% of median monthly household income. Policy & Community: A New Mexico diocese is fighting a border-wall land seizure tied to Mount Cristo Rey, citing religious freedom concerns.

Space & Defense Jobs: New Mexico and Albuquerque are backing BlackVe Inc. with $1.5M+ in incentives to expand its Albuquerque headquarters and add 152 high-paying jobs, including a 50,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility. Local Business & Consumer Watch: Mango Automotive issued a seasonal A/C advisory for Downtown Albuquerque drivers, flagging common summer airflow culprits like cabin filters, blower motors and evaporator coils. Higher Ed Transparency Debate: A new U.S. Education dashboard tracks foreign gifts and contracts to colleges under Section 117, but critics say it may be used politically because it lacks key context like timing and purpose. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA flagged a Great Value Hawaiian Roll recall tied to an oily/sticky substance on packaging surfaces distributed across 26 states. Community & Tourism: Brew Lab 101 opened The Brew Dock lakeside taproom at Marina Del Sur on Elephant Butte Lake, adding a new summer hangout for beer and cider lovers. Tech & Local Opposition: Raton residents are pushing back against a proposed AI data center, citing concerns about impacts on the small community. Agriculture & Biosecurity: The New World screwworm is still spreading beyond the border, with ranchers and officials stepping up webinars and containment efforts.

Aerospace Expansion: BlackVe will expand Albuquerque satellite manufacturing, adding a 50,000-square-foot facility and 152 jobs over 10 years, with state and city incentives plus job-training support. Clean Energy Milestone: SunZia’s massive wind and transmission project in New Mexico is now fully operational after nearly two decades, delivering power to Arizona and onward to California. Local Energy/Industry: Paladin Envirotech is expanding rare-earth recovery from e-waste, aiming to keep critical materials in U.S. supply chains instead of sending them overseas. Utility Deal Scrutiny: New Mexico Gas Co.’s sale to Bernhard Capital Partners is moving forward after public regulation examiners recommended approval, even as redactions raise questions about future oversight. Water & Business Risk: New Mexico’s water debate is getting sharper as record-low snowpack threatens Rio Grande and San Juan flows, raising concerns for farms, ecosystems, and everyday planning. Public Health & Safety: Cities including New Mexico are testing wastewater for illicit drugs to spot outbreaks earlier and help responders act faster. Agriculture Biosecurity: The New World screwworm crackdown ramps up as cases are confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with new tracking tools and training resources for producers and vets. Policy & Economy: Commentary argues New Mexico should treat data centers as a security asset, tying AI infrastructure to national defense priorities.

Local Economy & Energy: Repsol reached commercial operations at its 825-MW Pinnington solar project in North Texas, a milestone it says was delivered 2.5 times faster than comparable megaprojects. Local Governance & Development: New Mexico Tech stepped back from a proposed 10,000-acre Socorro County AI data center after residents and officials scrutinized the developer’s track record and land control concerns. Workforce & Innovation: New Mexico’s quantum and advanced-tech pipeline got a boost via CNM’s Quantum Technician Bootcamp, landing a paid internship with Bandelier Technologies. Community & Business Support: Rio Rancho’s Juneteenth event at Haynes Park mixed celebration with resources for small, Black-owned businesses, including microloans and training. Consumer & Cost Signals: The national gas price average dipped below $4 as summer travel ramps up. Legal & Policy Watch: A New Mexico Tech data-center retreat adds to the broader debate over affordability, water, and local impacts as big tech expands. Sports & Local Economy: The Albuquerque Isotopes’ Charlie Condon kept raking in power numbers while waiting for a potential Rockies call-up. Business & Community Culture: Flying Star and Satellite Coffee were sold to longtime employees, with the new owners emphasizing the cafes as community meeting spots. Scam Watch: Albuquerque residents are being targeted with fake “party” invitations that can lead to phishing and account takeovers. Sports Betting/Markets: Kalshi pushed a World Cup promo code, highlighting how prediction markets keep courting mainstream users. Public Records Scrutiny: Questions persist about what’s missing from the Epstein files after DOJ released millions of pages under the transparency act.

New Mexico Politics: RPNM issued a statement after Maggie Toulouse Oliver suspended her Lt. Gov campaign, arguing the move shifts the Democratic ballot and raising questions about who fills the vacancy. Local Governance & Housing: Bayard will hold a special meeting June 24 on whether to carry out an emergency abatement/demolition order or grant an extension for a damaged Grant Street home. Tribal & Housing/Business Dispute: The Navajo Nation paused a public hearing tied to the ZenniHome modular-home scandal, while subpoenaed testimony from founder Tamarah Begay alleges she was targeted and says ZenniHome received $24M but built only 18 homes. Energy & Jobs: SunZia’s massive wind project is now powering California and boosting New Mexico’s wind share, with 916 turbines and 3,650 MW coming online. Clean Energy Watch: Questa’s proposed green hydrogen facility faces scrutiny over water and safety studies, plus conflict-of-interest questions involving the mayor’s role at the co-op. Agriculture Risk: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, reviving fears for livestock and pets as the parasite spreads north. Tech & Consumer Safety: A New Mexico jury finding against Meta over platform harms is cited as part of a broader “Big Tobacco moment” for Big Tech, with more lawsuits in the pipeline. Startup Funding: NM FAST opened applications for a free space-sector SBIR/STTR accelerator cohort for New Mexico companies targeting NASA and Space Force grants.

Space & Defense Jobs: BlackVe will expand Albuquerque satellite manufacturing with $1.25M in state/city LEDA support and a 20-year industrial revenue bond, targeting 152 high-paying jobs and $228M in total economic impact. Startup Funding: NM FAST is launching a free space-sector SBIR/STTR accelerator for 6–10 New Mexico companies, running 10–12 weeks starting July 21 to help founders win NASA/Space Force grants. Nuclear Milestone: Valar Atomics’ small modular reactor in Utah reached zero-power fueled criticality, the first DOE-authorized reactor built outside a national lab, moving the tech toward operational status. Local Water & Energy: Questa’s proposed green hydrogen facility faces scrutiny as safety and water studies support the plan, while critics question water draw and mayor/utility conflict concerns. Animal Health Threat: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with ranchers watching for rapid spread and urging vigilance during calving season. Community & Culture: Albuquerque’s Juneteenth celebration returns to Civic Plaza with a focus on Black business support and economic mobility. Court Fight Over Land: A New Mexico diocese is challenging the Trump administration’s border wall land seizure plans tied to Mount Cristo Rey, citing religious liberty violations.

Screwworm Alert: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, reviving a decades-old livestock threat and prompting tighter monitoring and emergency planning as calving season approaches. Federal/State Policy: New Mexico lawmakers and U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernández unveiled the Protecting America’s Herds Act, targeting faster, stronger federal action to curb spread. Healthcare Watch: New Mexico lawmakers pressed Presbyterian Health Plan over its plan to discontinue most Medicare Advantage options and cut therapy reimbursement policies, while the insurer cites rising costs and complexity. Economic Development: New Mexico and Albuquerque are backing BlackVe’s Albuquerque expansion with $1.5M in incentives, aiming to support a 50,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility and 152 high-paying jobs. Tech & Data Centers: Aston Power raised $20M to speed power delivery for AI data centers, while LS Electric landed another major big-tech power-distribution contract tied to a hyperscale build. Online Safety Lawsuits: Meta is lobbying for legal immunity from child-harm lawsuits tied to social media, following major verdicts including a New Mexico case. Local Business/Community: Rio Rancho’s Sandoval Economic Alliance and the regional chamber briefed city council on economic development goals and performance. Public Health/Child Well-Being: A new Kids Count report shows child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education and mental health among the biggest drags.

Child Well-Being: A new Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count report says child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with declines across education, health and economic indicators and anxiety/depression diagnoses affecting 12% of kids ages 3–17. PFAS & Water Costs: Arizona’s “forever chemicals” PFAS contamination is expected to take generations to manage, with utilities shutting wells or paying millions for treatment—an issue that also drew attention from New Mexico voices. Screwworm Response: New Mexico lawmakers are pushing the Protecting America’s Herd Act to fund USDA grants for screwworm inspector training and support for high-risk states and tribal communities as cases spread. Energy Financing: New Mexico’s C-PACE energy-efficiency financing got a boost after a law took effect May 20, letting more projects qualify—aimed at cutting building emissions without public money. Local Business & Housing: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas HELP grants are helping first-time buyers in Santa Fe, while Rio Rancho’s landfill is set to close by end of 2028. Aviation Innovation: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured Reliable Robotics in Albuquerque as part of the FAA’s advanced air mobility integration pilot.

Clean Energy & Grid Buildout: SunZia’s 916-turbine, $11B wind project is now fully online, sending power from New Mexico to Arizona and California via a 550-mile transmission line. Clean-Energy Financing: New Mexico moved to bolster its C-PACE commercial energy-efficiency financing program, letting more projects qualify through industrial revenue bonds. Permian Water Reuse: A second produced-water treatment pilot facility (JIP 2) went live in the Permian Basin, aiming to reclaim 1,000 barrels a day of freshwater from 2,000 barrels of produced water. Defense & Manufacturing: Castelion won a $23.4M U.S. Navy order for 50 Blackbeard hypersonic missiles, with production tied to its New Mexico site. Aviation Safety: Federal investigators say GPS malfunction in a May New Mexico medical-plane crash was linked to military signal jamming. Local Business & Hospitality: Design Hotels signed agreements for 16 Palisociety properties, including an ARRIVE Albuquerque addition, in its biggest-ever portfolio expansion. Healthcare Leadership: New Day Healthcare named Kathy Poland as CEO. Workforce & Immigration: Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced a Careworker Visa Act to address New Mexico’s in-home careworker shortage. Food Safety: Albuquerque’s latest restaurant inspection list shows many green pass grades, with several yellow and red-tagged locations. Animal Health Alert: New World screwworm monitoring continues after confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico, with guidance urging livestock owners to check wounds and animals regularly. Tech & Youth Mental Health: New Mexico AG asked a judge to order Meta to pay $953M for harms to youth mental health.

Energy & Industry: Paladin Envirotech is expanding U.S. rare-earth and e-waste processing, adding a Phoenix facility plus new regional hubs that will serve Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, and New Mexico. Clean Energy Policy: The Trump administration is buying back $765M in early offshore wind leases from Invenergy, a move that redirects money toward faster-to-build fossil fuel and geothermal projects. Local Energy Data: New Mexico Tech helped launch DETECT, a new statewide energy dashboard meant to give businesses and the public one place to track production, emissions, and infrastructure. Workforce & Agriculture: New Mexico will reimburse ag businesses up to $15,000 per intern to hire and train workers through the Agricultural Workforce Development Program. Child Safety & Tech: New Mexico’s DOJ is seeking nearly $1B from Meta after a jury found the company liable for endangering children online. Housing & Permits: Albuquerque has advanced permitting for multiple In-N-Out locations, while the city also released a “Lazy Landlords” list tied to code violations. Public Health & Animal Health: Ranchers and officials are stepping up protocols as New World screwworm spreads, including confirmed cases tied to Texas and a dog in New Mexico. Business Climate & Spending: A Legislative Finance Committee report argues New Mexico “spends” heavily on tax breaks with limited return—sparking debate over how incentives should be counted. Big Infrastructure Watch: Communities are questioning water impacts from the Project Jupiter AI data center build in Doña Ana County.

Meta Trial Update: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez asked a Santa Fe judge to order Meta to pay $953M to fund youth mental-health and education efforts, arguing Meta’s design features and recommendation systems helped worsen depression, eating disorders and suicide-risk factors. Animal Health & Agriculture: Michigan enacted new domestic animal movement rules to prevent New World screwworm after Texas and New Mexico detections, while USDA announced $105M for 40 screwworm projects. Energy Policy: The Trump administration agreed to buy back offshore wind leases for four more projects, totaling nearly $2.6B in reimbursements, with Invenergy shifting investment toward natural gas and geothermal. Defense & Manufacturing: Castellion won a $23.4M U.S. Navy contract to deliver 50 early operational Blackbeard hypersonic missile pre-production units, expanding work in Rio Rancho. Local Business & Culture: Santa Fe proclaimed June 16 “Biscochito Day,” spotlighting the Santa Fe Biscochito Company’s growth from a 2021 food cart. Tech & Quantum: Sandia and Quantinuum reported high-fidelity results from Quantinuum’s 98-qubit Helios system, a step toward fault-tolerant quantum computing. Logistics Expansion: Echo Global Logistics expanded its intra-Mexico transportation services to create a more unified end-to-end supply chain offering. Public Finance: Oracle’s Project Jupiter data center plan in Doña Ana County outlined water, jobs and local spending commitments.

Screwworm Watch: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with federal officials citing 11 Texas cases and a New Mexico first tied to a dog case; states are tightening quarantine zones and livestock movement rules as ranchers and veterinarians ramp up inspections. Energy & Growth: SunZia’s 3,650-megawatt wind farm began operating, positioning New Mexico as home to the nation’s largest wind project and touting major jobs and local economic impact. Power Infrastructure: NextEra commissioned a new 137-mile transmission line in Lea County to strengthen grid reliability and support future southeastern New Mexico projects. Retail Expansion: Whole Foods is set to open at Albuquerque’s Cottonwood Corners by early next year, with Sierra also planned, signaling continued investment in northwest Albuquerque shopping. Food Assistance Pressure: New Mexico lawmakers flagged high SNAP error rates that could cost the state up to $173 million annually, while AGs push Congress to restore SNAP benefits in the Farm Bill. Local Business Support: New Mexico’s Agricultural Workforce Development Program opened applications to reimburse ag businesses up to 50% of paid intern costs (up to $15,000 per intern). Data Center Debate: A new look at Project Jupiter highlights local concerns over water, electricity, and public input as AI-driven data center builds accelerate. Politics & Governance: Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth says he won’t seek reelection or leadership in 2028, setting up a competitive Roundhouse power shift.

New World screwworm: The flesh-eating parasite has reached more animals in Texas and New Mexico, with USDA reporting cases up to 12 and officials urging tighter biosecurity and movement precautions—raising fresh worries for ranchers and beef prices already under pressure. Trade + energy ripple effects: A U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework is lifting risk sentiment, but Texas oil and gas leaders say normalization could take months, while beef markets brace for possible North American trade disruption. Project Jupiter scrutiny: A marketing firm behind New Mexico’s Medicaid campaign is recruiting influencers to promote Oracle’s Project Jupiter data center, as residents and officials continue to debate water impacts in Doña Ana County. State policy + economy: Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth says he won’t seek leadership again or a sixth term, setting up a caucus vote for a new majority floor leader. Outdoor growth funding: New Mexico opens Trails+ Grant applications July 1, with $12 million aimed at trail projects that support local businesses and recreation. Tech + power for AI: TDK Ventures invests in Aston Power to speed “time-to-power” for AI data centers, targeting faster, more reliable industrial power delivery. Local business: Albuquerque’s Cherrydale is set for a new Good Trouble Roasters coffee-and-beer concept alongside a Rita’s Italian Ice plan, signaling continued retail turnover and new foot traffic. Education outcomes: A new public education report grades states on privatization and student protections, with Nebraska and Vermont topping the list while many states earn failing marks.

New Mexico Child Well-Being: A new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation says child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with declines across education, health and economic indicators—plus rising child poverty and worsening mental health. Screwworm Threat Hits NM: USDA says New World screwworm cases have climbed to 12 nationwide, including a dog case in Lea County, New Mexico, as states tighten quarantines and biosecurity to protect livestock and pets. Albuquerque Tax Fight: Albuquerque City Council again voted down a proposed 0.4875% Gross Receipts Tax increase that would have raised about $113 million annually for city operations and district projects. Energy Milestone: The SunZia Wind Project—now in commercial operation—became the largest wind project in the U.S., adding major new power generation with New Mexico at the center. Project Jupiter Scrutiny: A marketing firm behind New Mexico’s Medicaid re-enrollment campaign is recruiting influencers to promote the controversial Project Jupiter AI data center in Doña Ana County. Local Business & Food: Two Albuquerque James Beard finalists fell short in Chicago, while a global whey protein shortage is pushing prices higher as demand for protein-heavy foods keeps outpacing supply.