AGP Executive Report

New Mexico Economy & Cost Pressures: A new UNM study is digging into how irrigated agriculture uses water across the Middle Rio Grande Basin, aiming to better guide conservation as drought and water competition intensify. Public Finance & Infrastructure: New Mexico’s $1.5 billion transportation bonding program is underway, with the first $220 million bond sale closing June 30 to fund projects including the Border Connector in Doña Ana County and major bridge replacements. Business & Growth (Data Centers): Oracle’s Project Jupiter near the Santa Teresa port of entry is moving ahead, with an open house and career fair replacing a planned county town hall—an issue that’s already sparked local pushback. Animal Health & Risk Management: The New World screwworm has been confirmed in New Mexico (in a dog), prompting heightened vigilance and new guidance for veterinarians and pet owners; Florida is also tightening shelter pet import rules from affected states. Local Government (Pets): Bernalillo County approved $4.9 million for a Northeast Heights pet adoption and education center designed to reduce shelter overcrowding and boost adoptions. Courts & Access to Justice: New Mexico Courts HelpLine launched to guide residents through civil court processes with no-cost legal information and referrals.

Beef Supply Shock: Omaha Steaks CEO Nate Rempe says record-high retail beef prices won’t likely cool soon because the U.S. cattle herd is still at its lowest level in more than 70 years, and the New World screwworm outbreak is complicating cattle imports. Screwworm Response in NM: Federal and state actions are accelerating as cases spread—FDA issued emergency OTC treatment guidance for infected pets, while Florida moved to block shelter animal imports from Texas and New Mexico. Infrastructure Finance: New Mexico’s first $220 million sale from the $1.5 billion transportation bonding program is set to fund major projects, including the Border Connector and bridge replacements. Housing Demand Forecast: A new statewide housing strategy projects rising demand despite modest population growth, citing demographics and high interest rates. Local Tech & Land Use: Socorro County approved a one-year data center moratorium amid community opposition. Business Growth in Clean Energy: Albuquerque-based ARRAY Technologies topped 100 GW of solar tracker deliveries worldwide, highlighting New Mexico manufacturing. Community & Public Safety: A community gathered to honor a flight nurse killed in a New Mexico-area plane crash. Health Plan Shift: Presbyterian Healthcare Services will scale back most Medicare Advantage offerings in 2027, affecting about 30,000 members and cutting roughly 150 jobs.

Universal Childcare Court Fight: A New Mexico judge is set to hear arguments in a challenge to the state’s universal childcare program, with plaintiffs arguing the administration changed eligibility rules before lawmakers could weigh in. Screwworm Threat to Livestock: USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases including one dog in Lea County, as Texas reports multiple new animal infections; officials say they’re scaling sterile-fly releases to contain the outbreak. Beef and Restaurant Pressure: With beef already at record highs, the screwworm resurgence adds another risk to cattle supply and could pressure restaurant costs and consumer prices. Higher Ed Turmoil: New Mexico Highlands University faces mounting scrutiny after multiple administrators and employees were placed on leave or terminated without explanation, prompting calls for answers. Gaming Crackdown: AG Raúl Torrez sued Kalshi over alleged violations of New Mexico sports betting laws, arguing the platform undermines state gaming compacts and harms consumers. Housing Demand Update: A new NM housing strategy update projects rising demand despite modest population growth, driven by smaller household sizes and high interest rates.

Data Center Governance: Raton, a small northern New Mexico city, postponed a decision on a data center moratorium after signing an MOU with developer Atterix, as residents pressed concerns about water and electricity use in a megadrought. Livestock & Trade Shock: Mexico suspended most U.S. live-animal imports after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, a move that could hit niche breeding markets and adds pressure to USDA and state biosecurity efforts. Biosecurity Rules Spreading: Florida expanded emergency screwworm import restrictions, and Idaho added new animal entry requirements tied to the outbreak. Local Food Access: Albuquerque’s International District is getting a new growers market after nearly 250 community votes, aiming to cut food-desert miles and tackle food insecurity. Caregiver Workforce: U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced the Careworker Visa Act to create a caregiver work pathway, targeting shortages that affect New Mexico families and costs. Cattle Prices Watch: Beef prices rose again as the screwworm outbreak returns alongside already-tight cattle supply.

New World screwworm hits New Mexico: State officials confirmed the first case in a dog in Lea County and set up a 12-mile infested zone plus expanded surveillance and fly trapping to protect animal movement and limit spread. Border economy & infrastructure: A multi-phase flood berm at the Columbus Port of Entry reached a key milestone, clearing the way for development that flooding has long blocked. Child care policy with local impact: New Mexico’s universal free child care program is helping working families in Ruidoso keep full-time jobs and benefits. Local school construction: San Jon Municipal Schools chose Albuquerque’s Weil Construction for a new estimated $41M school, targeting early 2028 completion. Rural business support questioned: Quay County commissioners tabled the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber’s request for annual funding, asking for more activity before revisiting. Energy & AI infrastructure: OpenAI is reportedly in talks for a 10-GW Ohio data center backed by Nvidia, underscoring how fast AI power demand is reshaping regional development. Kids Count update: New Mexico rose to 49th for child well-being, but education and family/community scores remain weak. Gas prices: Week-ending May 30 reports show New Mexico regular gas averaging about $4.23 per gallon, with county-level lows around $4.09.

Screwworm Threat to NM Livestock: USDA confirmed the New World screwworm in a New Mexico dog (Lea County), bringing U.S. cases to five as Texas detections expand and officials push faster testing and containment—an outbreak that could hit cattle markets and raise beef prices. Energy & Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reported the week ending May 30 saw some of the lowest local prices in Santa Fe ($4.40 premium) and Valencia ($4.17 midgrade), while national fuel volatility continues to track Middle East shipping risk and refinery outages. Local Growth & Jobs: Farmington welcomed advanced manufacturing expansion from Durango Machining Innovations, backed by $250,000 in LEDA funding and projected to create 22 high-wage jobs. Infrastructure Upgrade: NMDOT plans intersection safety improvements at NM 68 and NM 240 in Taos, including signal and lighting replacement plus ADA ramps, with work starting June 15 and finishing by early 2027. Care Workforce Push: Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced the Careworker Visa Act to address childcare and eldercare worker shortages, aiming to lower care costs through a new visa pathway. Business Climate & Data Centers: Albuquerque and New Mexico moved to dismiss a federal immigration lawsuit tied to HB9 limits on local coordination with ICE, while a separate investigation raises questions about a Canadian developer’s New Mexico data center pitch.

New Mexico Tech Investment Oversight: Santa Fe launched a Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board to guide more than $200M in planned state tech and innovation funding, including $110M for an RD&D Fund, with industry, universities, and lab leaders at the table. Screwworm Alarm for Ranchers and Pets: USDA reclassified a Texas dog case as New Mexico’s first New World screwworm detection (Lea County), while Texas added more cases, expanding the response and raising quarantine/trade concerns for livestock movement. Workforce/Economic Development Leadership Change: CNM Ingenuity CEO Kyle Lee will step down Aug. 3 after a decade growing workforce and entrepreneurial programs statewide. Local Business Expansion: Las Cruces is partnering with Independent Electrical Contractors Southern New Mexico on an 8,400-square-foot facility for apprenticeship and training, with a June 5 groundbreaking. Child Well-Being Rankings: New Mexico climbed to 49th in the KIDS COUNT report after years at the bottom, but education remains the state’s weak spot. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows some of the lowest regular and premium prices in parts of the state during the week ending May 30, reflecting ongoing volatility tied to oil markets and refinery outages. Indoor Golf Opens in Albuquerque: Golf Envy opened its first New Mexico location, bringing tech-driven indoor simulators to the city’s business scene.

Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases expanding across Texas and reclassifying a dog case to New Mexico as officials ramp up quarantine, inspections, and outreach to protect livestock and markets. Local Public Safety: Sierra County and Truth or Consequences police arrested two suspects tied to a string of commercial burglaries across Elephant Butte and T-or-C. Marketing & Retail: WB Liquors named Helen Thompson Media its agency of record starting June 2026, tasking the San Antonio shop with brand strategy, creative, digital marketing, and media planning to support growth across Texas markets. Child Well-Being: New Mexico moved up to 49th in the Kids Count ranking, showing gains in economic well-being and health but still ranking last in education and family/community measures. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price checks show New Mexico’s fuel market staying volatile, with multiple counties reporting lowest-in-state regular, midgrade, premium, E15, and diesel prices for the week ending May 30. Broadband Expansion: Kinetic topped 2 million fiber premises built across its 18-state footprint, including New Mexico, as it continues scaling fiber access for homes and businesses.

Water & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared a Rio Grande settlement that forces New Mexico to cut groundwater pumping near the river—reducing annual depletions by 18,200 acre-feet over 10 years—to protect downstream flows as stretches run dry. Local Economy & Jobs: Deming’s Silver Linings resource center is drawing federal support to help residents facing hunger and homelessness, running meals, a thrift store, and key services amid double-digit unemployment. Tribal & Real Estate: The Albuquerque Indian School Act advanced after House passage, moving 10 acres from the former boarding school to a tribal trust for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, with an entrepreneur complex and light industry planned. Business & Community Safety: Deming police said two Popeye’s employees were hospitalized after possible hazardous exposure in a restroom incident, prompting hazmat response and a warning to businesses about suspicious non-customer activity. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price checks show New Mexico midgrade and premium prices easing week-to-week, with county-level lows reported across the state. Science & Industry: The next-generation Very Large Array prototype in New Mexico reached “first light,” moving from construction to testing for a future 244-antenna upgrade. Politics & Ballot Access: Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Miyagishima sued over New Mexico’s signature requirements, arguing the system unfairly burdens independents seeking the general-election ballot.

Public Lands Energy Policy: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren says a first-day Warren administration would impose a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling and mining on federal lands, while also moving to reinstate methane limits—an issue that will keep reverberating through New Mexico’s energy economy. Ranching & Wildlife: An appeals court tossed ranchers’ elk nuisance claims tied to the state’s Elk Private Lands Use System, a reminder that New Mexico’s wildlife rules can carry real property and business stakes. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy data show New Mexico’s week ending May 30 had pockets of cheaper gas—like Torrance County premium at $4.69 and Roosevelt County premium at $4.83—while diesel stayed volatile statewide. Tribal Gaming: Former Navajo Gaming CEO Brian Parrish died at 65, capping a long career across tribal hospitality and casino operations. Tech & Business Climate: A New Mexico opinion piece argues the state can’t afford an unfriendly business climate, pointing to the AG’s lawsuit posture toward major tech. Independent Politics: Independent gubernatorial candidate Ken Miyagishima sued over New Mexico’s signature requirements, arguing the ballot rules unfairly burden independents. Space Science & Jobs: The ngVLA prototype at the Very Large Array site in New Mexico reached “first light,” moving from buildout to testing for the next radio telescope array.

Healthcare Access: A young transgender New Mexican says legal protections don’t translate into easy care—she faced months-long waits for endocrinology, forcing some patients to pause hormone treatment or seek risky workarounds. Nuclear & Mining Watch: An opinion piece argues NM is “in the crosshairs” of the nuclear industry as new uranium proposals circle northwest New Mexico, raising questions for sacred lands and water. Nursing Home Ownership: CMS data show LC Healthcare Holdings owns Las Cruces Wellness & Rehabilitation, with a Q1 2026 overall rating of 3 and no fines. Energy Policy & Jobs: A report on wind power claims federal policy is shifting money away from turbines and toward fossil fuels—an issue with direct implications for NM’s energy market. Livestock Risk: The New World screwworm threat is moving closer to the U.S., with NM officials warning ranchers to stay vigilant as monitoring and quarantine ramp up. Local Business Spotlight: An Española-based cleaning and maintenance firm earned SBA New Mexico Small Business Person of the Year, signaling growth plans including a new distribution center. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy spotlights pockets of lower prices across NM counties, while broader volatility remains tied to global oil and refinery conditions.

Rio Grande Water Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court approved a historic Rio Grande settlement, locking in how Texas will receive its share and requiring New Mexico to better manage groundwater pumping tied to the river. Border Wall Spending: The Trump administration has surged border wall contracting, with billions in new awards over the past six months and much of the work steered to a small set of politically connected firms. Livestock Risk From Screwworm: New World screwworm is spreading in Mexico and Central America, and New Mexico officials warn it could hit cattle markets and push meat prices higher if it reaches the U.S. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports scattered “lowest” prices across New Mexico counties for regular, midgrade, premium, diesel, and E85—useful for drivers, but the broader story remains volatile fuel costs tied to global oil and refinery conditions. Private Equity Utility Scrutiny: A New Mexico column urges the PRC to reject Blackstone’s proposed takeover of TXNM Energy, arguing ratepayer affordability and control of critical infrastructure are at stake. Healthcare & Care Quality: CMS data highlights low nursing-home ratings in parts of New Mexico, including a Las Cruces Village facility rated 1 overall in Q1 2026. Small Business Spotlight: An Española-based cleaning and maintenance firm earned SBA New Mexico Small Business Person of the Year recognition, with plans for a new distribution center.

Energy & Power Costs: A new national look at residential electricity shows steep year-over-year jumps in many places, with D.C. up about 22% and New Mexico not singled out as a standout—still, the report ties rising bills to grid investment costs and demand, including from AI-driven data centers. Healthcare & Workforce: UNM researchers say self-harm history is often missing from diagnosis codes—capturing only about a quarter of what’s documented in veterans’ records—raising the stakes for better mental-health tracking and planning. Local Business & Community: Corrales flamenco company Spanish Broom secured a $25,000 state economic development grant to expand programming across New Mexico. Public Safety & Local Economy: A second fire in less than a month hit Bernalillo County’s Town Recycling in the South Valley, damaging nearby businesses and condemning two buildings. Gaming & Consumer Protection: New Mexico AG Raul Torrez announced a lawsuit against Kalshi over alleged illegal sports betting, arguing the platform is skirting state gaming rules. Health Facilities: Las Cruces Village Nursing & Rehabilitation received a 1-star CMS rating in Q1 2026 under new ownership, with no fines reported.

New Mexico Politics & Policy: New Mexico voters picked Democratic Gov. nominee Deb Haaland over Sam Bregman in the June 2 primary, setting up a November race that could make her the first Native American woman governor. Water & Environment: The U.S. Supreme Court formally resolved the 13-year Rio Grande Compact dispute, adopting a settlement that should secure more reliable water deliveries to Texas—an outcome with major implications for New Mexico’s river economy and planning. Energy & Infrastructure: Analysts say enhanced geothermal developer Fervo Energy’s IPO optimism is tempered by Western transmission constraints that could slow full project buildouts, with “behind-the-meter” options floated as a workaround. Business & Consumer Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile across New Mexico in the week ending May 30, with standout lows reported in multiple counties (including regular at $3.79 in Otero and diesel at $5.29 in Taos), reflecting ongoing supply and refinery pressures. Healthcare Costs: New billing codes set to take effect in January could change how maternity care is priced, moving away from bundled payments and raising questions about whether costs will rise for patients. Local Economic Development: The U.S. House advanced the Albuquerque Indian School Act, a step toward returning land to a trust for New Mexico’s Pueblos and creating space for an entrepreneur complex and light industry.

State Funding & Youth Programs: New Mexico is putting $4.5 million into outdoor youth programs for 2026-27 after last year’s Outdoor Equity Fund demand topped available money by more than 90%, with applications opening July 1. Public Health & Agriculture: Officials are urging vigilance after USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in South Texas; New Mexico says there’s no detection yet but asks travelers and livestock owners to watch for suspicious wounds. Healthcare & Medicare Advantage: Presbyterian Healthcare Services will cut about 150 administrative jobs and discontinue most Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, saying it needs to protect investment in care and workforce. Energy & Power: Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico formed a Mountain West Geothermal Consortium to speed geothermal development, aiming for hundreds of gigawatts of baseload power in the next four years. Local Business & Infrastructure: DOT will share plans for the N.M. 11 corridor study at a June 10 public meeting in Deming, focused on safety, traffic flow and future economic development. Solar Research: UTEP research suggests Alamogordo-area solar panels lose only about 2–3% output to dust, making the Borderland more favorable for solar economics. Gaming & Legal Fight: New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez sued Kalshi, arguing its sports-betting app violates state gambling laws and undermines regulated gaming compacts. Energy Markets & Industry: Freeport-McMoRan set its Q2 copper sales target at about 750 million pounds as it ramps underground operations in Indonesia and leaching initiatives in North America. Business Spotlight: Trout in the Classroom is giving New Mexico students hands-on conservation lessons, from raising trout to releasing them in the Pecos area.

New Mexico Budget Windfall: The state Legislative Finance Committee projects an extra $850M for New Mexico trust funds tied to higher oil prices from the Iran war, with money flowing to the Early Childhood, Medicaid and Behavioral Health trust funds. Energy & Environment: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to remove endangered status for the Permian Basin dunes sagebrush lizard after a Texas lawsuit, a move that could reshape conservation planning in New Mexico and Texas. Livestock Health Watch: USDA confirmed a case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm in Texas, raising alarm for livestock producers as the pest edges closer to the border. Fuel Prices Check: GasBuddy reports show some of the week’s lowest prices in NM counties—regular as low as $3.89 in Santa Fe County and diesel as low as $4.54 in Sandoval County—while statewide averages remain higher than last week. Broadband Buildout: A policy push urges New Mexico and other states to keep broadband offices funded and empowered as BEAD deadlines approach. Tech & Business Growth: Kinetic says it has surpassed 2M fiber premises passed across its service area, including New Mexico. Local Economy & Jobs: Silver City’s Silco Theatre is closing for renovations to expand live-theater capacity while keeping limited concessions open. Healthcare Innovation: Albuquerque biotech T-NeuroDx plans to present new human data on its AlzheimerGuard immune biomarker platform at AAIC 2026. Politics: Deb Haaland won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting up a November matchup with Gregg Hull.