Enchanting Economics in New Mexico

Season 3 of Enchanting Economics begins with a discussion about the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Oil Conservation Division. This understaffed and underfunded group has the potential to inject millions into New Mexico's economy, not to mention help clean and protect our environment. For more information on the department, visit its official website at www.emnrd.nm.gov. Also, check out the preliminary impact analysis BBER did on the OCD at bber.unm.edu

We chat with Economic FORUM of Albuquerque Executive Director Bob Murphy and Chair of the Board Michelle Coons about his impending retirement and the future of the group. Economic Forum of Albuquerque website

Acting BBER Director Michael O'Donnell gives quarterly presentations to its economic forecast (FOR-UNM) subscribers. This episode is a snippet of his 2021Q3 discussion from Aug. 6, where he recaps New Mexico's recent performance as well as presents a portion of his forecast.

NMMainStreet Director Daniel Gutierrez talks about the different ways they are helping our communities rebuild and restore to make economic successes. Visit www.nmmainstreet.org for more information on the different programs NMMainStreet offers and how you can make a difference in your community.

BBER Director Michael "Mo" O'Donnell explains the current struggle plaguing New Mexico's workforce. Hear why people are hesitant to return to work, why businesses are struggling to hire staff, what industries are still hurting and who's recovering from the recent pandemic-induced recession. To view local media coverage with quotes from Mo, visit bber.unm.edu/news

Sonja Unrau, Community Relations Manager for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, and BBER Data Bank Manager Suzan Reagan run the gamut of housing in the Land of Enchantment. We discuss how MFA gets its data, how it targets specific areas of New Mexico to assess the community's needs, as well as what it is actively doing to help during the COVID-19 crisis. If you or someone you know needs help with rent, visit Rental Help New Mexico (renthelpnm.org) | The state of New Mexico will grant $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. For more on MFA, visit its website at MFA Housing New Mexico (housingnm.org)

Jee Hwang, Economist Supervisor for the New Mexico Human Services Income Support Division answers our questions about HSD's challenging role in aiding NM residents in need. Check out HSD's State of New Mexico Data Book: a summary of social, economic, and health statistics of our state. The Data Book presents, in one reference document, a diversity of information and is designed to facilitate comparisons of national, state, and county‐level data.

UNM Geospatial and Populations Studies Senior Research Scientist Dr. Jacqueline Miller gives us a glimpse at New Mexico's population and helps us get a better understanding of the 2019 Migration data BBER collected from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey Estimates.

We chat briefly with Mountain West Regional Director for The Coalition for Community Solar Access Kevin Cray about bringing community solar to New Mexico. What is it, when will it be here and how will it impact the Land of Enchantment? FULL REPORT: The Potential Economic Impact of Community Solar in New Mexico

BBER research scientist Rose Elizabeth Rohrer, M.S., is one of three primary authors of the report The Economic Opportunities and Challenges of Uranium Mine Cleanup in New Mexico. She talks with us about the incredible economic opportunities New Mexico has if it chooses to follow BBER's recommendations. For full uranium mine cleanup coverage, visit bber.unm.edu/uranium.

Wondering when we will get data from the 2020 Census? Data Bank manager Suzan Reagan joins us in the premier episode of season 2 to update us on when and how the data will be released, as well as alert us to Census Bureau job opportunities. Register for US Census Webinar for New Mexico Data Topic: U.S. Census Bureau's COVID-19 Hub and Community Resilience Estimates: Demographic and Economic Resources for Decision Making and Planning in Times of Disaster Date: March 9, 2021 Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m. MT Cost: Free!

Cumulus Media Albuquerque is on a mission to help local businesses during a time of need with its initiative: Open For Business ABQ. Albuquerque entrepreneurs are encouraged to sign up for free so shoppers know how to support local. Sign up or support local now at openforbusinessabq.com

BBER has been conducting a research project about uranium remediation in New Mexico for over year. They presented their findings to the state's Indian Affairs Committee in October. Join Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE) coordinator Susan Gordon as she explains all that went in to getting this study approved and how she hopes it will impact communities suffering in the wake of uranium mining and milling in our state. Visit MASE at https://swuraniumimpacts.org/ View BBER's presentation to the IAC

UNM BBER Data Bank Manager Suzan Reagan checks in with an update on the deadlines for the 2020 Census and informs us of the latest count totals for New Mexico. Reagan is hosting the 22nd annual New Mexico Data Users Conference in November and describes what census experts will be on hand to educate attendees. 22nd Annual New Mexico Data Users Conference

It's no secret that the USPS is experiencing financial difficulties. But can you imagine life without the post office? Rural communities are already losing them and in this episode our guest, Carol Miller, tells us how her town lost its post office and shares how she's fighting to get it back. Carol's Commentary: Closing a Rural P.O. Can Be a K.O. Punch

UNM Complete Count co-chair and sociology professor Dr. Nancy Lopez joins us as we head into the home stretch of the 2020 Census. We discuss future changes to the census, current problems and why the census is important for all New Mexicans! The US Census Bureau keeps confusing race and ethnicity by Nancy Lopez for The Conversation UNM Race Complete Count Raffle Race.UNM.edu

Retired New Mexico State University professor Dr. Jim Peach chats with us about the status of higher education enrollment in the Land of Enchantment as well as the effects it has on our economy.

University of New Mexico history professor Jason Scott Smith gives us a history lesson in economics to help us decide if we can or cannot use the past to predict the future of our economy and the culture of labor. For more information on our guest expert, visit history.unm.edu

BBER produces quarterly economic forecasts for the US, State of New Mexico and the MSAs of Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Lea & Eddy Counties. Here is a snippet from our FOR-UNM meeting on Friday, May 1. Our next meeting is Friday, Aug. 7. For more information, visit bber.unm.edu.

BBER Data Bank Manager and State Data Center representative Suzan Reagan fills us in on how the 2020 Census deadlines are being adjusted due to COVID-19 as well as how New Mexico is doing in its push for a complete count.

Our series on the Coronavirus effects among different industries in New Mexico shifts to the UNM Children's Campus. Director Daniela Baca updates us on how the childcare industry will change because of the virus as well as how they are helping families effected now. Website: https://childcare.unm.edu/

We continue the series on the Coronavirus effects among different industries in New Mexico with a look at how local growers are being effected. We talk with Downtown Growers Market co-manager Danielle Schlobohm about how their vendors are adjusting and what the future holds for local growers. website: http://www.downtowngrowers.org/

Our series on the Coronavirus effects among different industries in New Mexico shifts to the IT department at UNM. We discuss how they are supporting the University and guiding staff, faculty and students into the “new normal”. UNM IT: https://it.unm.edu/

This addition to our series on the Coronavirus effects among different industries in New Mexico features local restaurateur Matthew Bernabe. We discuss the changes to the restaurant business pre- and post-COVID-19, as well as his efforts to take care of his employees and kids in the community. Urban Hotdog: https://www.urbanhotdogcompany.com/

We continue our series on the Coronavirus effects among different industries in New Mexico. Bradbury Stamm CEO Cynthia Shultz joins us to talk about how the construction industry is being effected and how New Mexico's largest and oldest contractor firm is helping our community. Bradbury Stamm : https://www.bradburystamm.com/

This is the first in a series of interviews we are doing with those in different industries throughout New Mexico. Today we talk with Albertsons Market Regional Vice President Travis Chaney. He enlightens us on how COVID-19 has effected his business and how they are adapting to help our community. Albertsons : https://www.albertsons.com/

Listen to our conversation with UNM BBER's Director, Jeff Mitchell, about the effects of Covid-19 on the New Mexico economy. We talk about the impacts and some steps that the government has put forward, as well as an attempt to delve into the consequences. In addition, we touch on the impact of dropping oil prices and how it's related to the Covid-19 and what it could mean for the Land of Enchantment.

UNM Data Bank manager Suzan Reagan joins us as we discuss all things 2020 Census. As New Mexico's representative in the U.S. Census Bureau's State Data Center program, Reagan expertly explains who needs the data from the decennial census, how it's used and why it's vital to our state that we get a complete count.

This episode we discuss who we are, why our organization was established and what future contents you can expect from this podcast. Exciting episodes are on there way. stay tuned!