State approves 12 job training awards in September

Fresh off announcing an expansion in New Mexico that will create 100 jobs, Kairos Power is getting some help from the state to train its workers.

The California-based company, which has a campus called KP Southwest at Mesa del Sol, will get $699,660 in funding through the state’s Job Training Incentive Program, the New Mexico Economic Development Department announced in a news release. Kairos Power will use that money to train 27 employees at an average wage of $51 an hour.

Kairos’ award is one of 12 announced in the state’s September funding approval, according to a news release. In total, those companies will share roughly $2.4 million in job training funds to train up to 177 workers across the state.

The program, hailed by some as the state’s greatest incentive, got its start in 1972. JTIP reimburses businesses in New Mexico to train new hires, either through on-the-job or custom training at public educational institutions in New Mexico.

Companies receive their full awards at the end of the training periods for new hires. Businesses typically have about six months to find the workers and another six to train them before getting reimbursed by the state.

In a statement, new EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black called the program “remarkable,” noting the state is “proud to support businesses and workers” who utilize JTIP.

“It’s a joy to see New Mexico’s innovative and thriving companies utilize JTIP as a tool to expand their businesses, create new jobs, and help workers level up their skills,” he said.

Other awardees include:

• Albuquerque-based BlackVe Inc., a company focused on cutting-edge design and production technologies for the design, manufacturing and operating of satellites for U.S. government customers. The company, set to receive $98,384, will train two workers at an average wage of $86.

• Santa Teresa-based Franklin Mountain Packaging, a company that manufacturers corrugated sheets and provides digital printing services for the box-making industry. The company will train 63 workers at an average wage of $20; the company will receive $673,551.

• Algodones-based Geobrugg North America manufactures and sells high-tensile steel wire nets for use in protection against natural hazards and motorsports. Geobrugg will receive $410,890 and train 25 employees at an average wage of $29.

• Santa Fe-based Gonzo Family Farms is a cannabis manufacturer specializing in rapid-acting marijuana products. The company will train 19 employees at an average wage of $29 with an award amount totaling $206,988.

• Albuquerque-based Mega Corp Inc., which manufactures water and fuel tanks among other items, will get $30,160 to train two workers at $29 an hour.

• Santa Fe-based Paseo Pottery will train two workers at an average wage of $22. The company has a working pottery studio, factory and showroom and will receive $22,370 through JTIP.

• Albuquerque-based Robocasting Enterprises LLC, a company focused on 3D-printed filters for filtering molten superalloys used in aerospace applications, will receive $23,570. The company will train two workers at an average wage of $23.

• Santa Fe-based Sage Botanicals, which manufactures and distributes cacti and other botanical products, will get $164,260 to train seven employees at an average wage of $33.

• Moriarty-based Sceye Inc. will train one worker at $55 an hour. The total award amount is $40,091. The company manufactures High-Altitude Platform Stations, or HAPS, for the stratosphere at 65,000 feet, which helps connect directly to mobile devices and observe the Earth in real-time.

• Albuquerque-based STEM Boomerang, which addresses New Mexico’s workforce recruitment challenges with training programs, will get $49,000 to train 25 people through JTIP’s Step Up Program.

• Santa Fe-based Tumbleroot Brewing will train two workers at an average wage of $20 with $18,098 in JTIP funding. The company produces craft beer and premium spirits.