Alamogordo MainStreet Celebrates the Launch of Alamo Venture Academy and New Business Showcase
The bustling business district of New York Avenue, organized under the Alamogordo MainStreet initiative, has experienced a dynamic spring and summer in 2024. This period marked the launch of an innovative business incubator project known as the Alamo Venture Academy, as reported by AlamogordoTownNews.org.
Earlier this year, a call was made to local businesses interested in participating in a series of workshops, lectures, and training opportunities. Following this, approximately six businesses were selected to participate in a trial run within a storefront setting on New York Avenue. The Alamo Venture Academy, in its inaugural year, is a pilot program funded through the Otero County Community Services Grant. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners aiming to establish successful ventures in Alamogordo’s MainStreet District.
The Alamo Venture Academy, or AVA, is a two-phase accelerator program. Phase One consisted of a six-week business education academy. In collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and local business owners, participants learned how to create a business plan, find customers, understand marketing strategies, and much more. Upon completing Phase One, applicants were invited to apply for Phase Two, where they had the opportunity to launch their businesses in a physical location in the heart of the MainStreet District.
Phase Two is now materializing with the grand opening of the facility and a showcase of three businesses as part of this phase of the project.
The project saw 16 applicants in total.
Amanda Jewell, a former school board member and local business leader, played a pivotal role in this project alongside Taylor Ojeda. They invested significant time in planning logistics, designing the program, and anticipating the needs of the entrepreneurs involved. Sean O’Shea from HatchForm, serving as the Economic Development Specialist from New Mexico MainStreet, provided structural support throughout the program.
During Phase One, participants learned from some of the best in the community. Trish Livingston with Alamogordo SBDC presented and facilitated a classroom for the six weeks of training. Other contributors included 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, and Rick de Santiago, each of whom played a vital role in the project’s success.
The graduates who advanced to Phase Two 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 Two will culminate with the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting of the first three businesses to be showcased as pop-up storefronts over the coming weeks. The launch and ribbon cutting details are as follows:
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, are excited to celebrate the opening of the Alamo Venture Academy and its business showcase.
Come out and support the first three businesses making their debut: Infinity Sweets, Boujee Bandit, and Ebenezer Hats.
More detailed information will be released soon on each new business in a series of articles we are currently working on. These articles will highlight what’s new and exciting within the New York Avenue business district. Stay tuned for some exciting news from Block 12 within the New York Business District coming soon!
Stay tuned for more updates and details…
