Business Day in Santa Fe: Transformative Supports for a Growing Economy

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, business leaders, government officials, advocates, and constituents from across New Mexico gathered for Business Day in Santa Fe, hosted by the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. As a member of the New Mexico Chamber, Foundation for Families Executive Director, Amy Augenblick, was in attendance. The gathering provided many opportunities for learning about the great work in New Mexico and the direction of the state’s policy agenda.Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales spoke about the importance of early care and education in New Mexico, and the opportunity the state has to lead other states toward universal child care. He highlighted the connection between early care and education and the state’s ability to diversify the economy. While early care and education certainly benefits the children attending, those benefits extend into the business community as it helps to create more a reliable and stable workforce. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also spoke about universal child care and the profound impacts that investments in young children can have on their success as well as the growth of the economy over time.

Alongside early care and education, state leaders and legislators also spoke about health care and public safety being top priorities for the state. We heard this echoed in remarks throughout the day. Accessibility, affordability, and stability of the workforce in the health care sector was a key speaking point at the event. Public safety as a cornerstone of the well-being of communities was a concern expressed by multiple legislators, and affordable and available housing was highlighted as a related opportunity to support a stable and growing economy.

Business Day in Santa Fe comes at the beginning of the state’s legislative session, important timing for convening around priorities and shared action. Attendees heard from leaders from New Mexico Chamber of Commerce as well as elected officials, business executives, and community members. A resounding theme of the speakers at the event was the commitment to New Mexico being a transformational leader – in both the industries in which it has a longstanding history as well as those that are at the forefront of newer technologies like quantum computing and manufacturing. Bipartisan partnership, collaboration, and a commitment to shared goals and purpose underscored key messages throughout the day.

Following remarks from government officials and executives, leaders from the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce highlighted the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce 2026 Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda includes four primary pillars to shape the state’s economic growth: creating a stable and competitive business environment, building a skilled and thriving workforce, driving innovation and economic diversification, and investing in modern infrastructure to power growth. These pillars tie in to legislative priorities to help give the state actionable steps to transform New Mexico’s economy and reaffirm or establish it as a leader across sectors and industries.

While there were many priority areas at Business Day in Santa Fe, one thread that seemed to run through most is the workforce. As the backbone of New Mexico’s economy, workforce support, and building and maintaining a stable workforce, touched most areas. It extended from the parents of young children who will now receive universal child care, to expanding a workforce to meet health care demand, to ensuring adequate training for newer industries where there is projected growth.

Chambers of commerce are increasingly at the forefront of helping to address hard to solve issues in states and communities, and New Mexico and its local chambers are helping to lead the cause. We look forward following the progress in New Mexico and helping to share the successes along the way.

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