What Regional Development Corporation does

Regional Development Corporation (RDC) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1996 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Originally chartered as the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos Site 'Community Reuse Organization,' RDC is dedicated to improving economic development across a seven-county service area in Northern New Mexico (Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Northern Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Taos) that also encompasses ten Native American Pueblos. The organization delivers three direct capital programs — the TEAM Fund (no-interest loans up to $20,000 for manufacturing and technology firms), the Micro-Grant Fund (grants up to $3,000), and the Tribal Grant Fund (grants up to $5,000) — complemented by free one-on-one technical assistance and a recurring calendar of community events (Business Round Ups, Business Booster Workshops, Business Tune-Up Events, and Business Connectivity Events). RDC has broadened into workforce development through the $6.4 million Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN), a Good Jobs Challenge grant partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Santa Fe Community College, and North Central New Mexico Economic Development District targeting Healthcare and Skilled Trades training pipelines. Funding is drawn primarily from federal grants (EDA, DOE), Triad National Security LLC (operator of Los Alamos National Laboratory), Los Alamos County, and the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership; all services to businesses and community members are delivered free of charge. Operationally, RDC runs with a small core team (1–10 employees) led by Executive Director Pat Vanderpool and a CFO, with regional program execution supported by Directors of Operations, Workforce Development, and Business Development.

Name

Regional Development Corporation

Legal name

Regional Development Corporation

Website

https://rdcnm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Regional Development Corporation is a Santa Fe-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers grants, no-interest loans, free technical assistance, and workforce-development programs to small businesses, manufacturers, and tribal enterprises across a seven-county service area in Northern New Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Small business funding
• Workforce development programs
• Tribal economic grants
• Manufacturing loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Fe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal and State Grants: RDC operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded primarily through grants from government agencies including the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Department of Energy (DOE), as well as state-level funding through the New Mexico Economic Development Department.
2. Corporate and Local Funder Partnerships: Current funders include Triad National Security LLC (operator of Los Alamos National Laboratory), Los Alamos County, and New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership. These partnerships provide operational funding to support economic development initiatives.
3. Direct Investment Programs: RDC administers Micro-Grant Fund (up to $3,000), Tribal Grant Fund (up to $5,000), and Technology & Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund (up to $20,000 no-interest loans) to eligible businesses. These are reimbursable grant/loan programs rather than revenue-generating activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Regional Development Corporation is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) economic development organization that provides non-dilutive capital (micro-grants up to $3,000, tribal grants up to $5,000, and TEAM Fund no-interest loans up to $20,000) and free technical assistance to small businesses, manufacturers, and tribal enterprises across a seven-county service area in Northern New Mexico. The organization also delivers workforce training and education through partnerships with six regional higher education institutions, including the $6.4M Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN) initiative.

Product overview

The Regional Development Corporation (RDC) operates as an economic development organization offering a portfolio of funding programs and business support services. The core offerings include three direct investment funds: the Technology & Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund providing no-interest loans up to $20,000 for manufacturing and tech companies; the Micro-Grant Fund offering grants up to $3,000 for small businesses; and the Tribal Grant Fund providing up to $5,000 for tribal enterprises. Complementing these funding programs are technical assistance services, workforce development initiatives including the $6.4M Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN), and community programming such as Business Round Ups, Business Booster Workshops, Business Tune-Up Events, and Business Connectivity Events. The programs are designed to work together to support job creation and economic diversification across Northern New Mexico's seven-county service area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technology & Manufacturing (TEAM) Fund No-interest loans up to $20,000 for growth-oriented manufacturing and technology-based companies that are on track to add jobs, grow revenues, and attract additional funding. Funds are used for equipment, consulting services, and specialized software.
• Micro-Grant Fund Grants up to $3,000 providing small capital infusions to help small businesses diversify, sustain or grow revenue, leverage other investments, and create job opportunities across the seven-county service area.
• Tribal Grant Fund Grants up to $5,000 for businesses owned by federally recognized Indian tribes or enrolled tribal members to fund critical technical services and equipment across the ten Native American Pueblos served by RDC.
• Business Retention & Expansion Program Provides small businesses, regional startups, and tribal communities with funding opportunities and one-on-one technical assistance to build and sustain a vibrant local economy across Northern New Mexico's seven counties and ten Pueblos.
• Workforce & Education Training Partnership between RDC and six Northern New Mexico higher education institutions to identify training needs and develop a well-educated workforce in the region, including the Higher Education Workforce Project and Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN).
• Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN) $6.4 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant initiative to transform the regional economy by building workforce in Healthcare and Skilled Trades sectors through training, apprenticeships, higher education partnerships, and job placement.
• Workforce and Academic Network Pilot Project Initiative to convene industry and academic stakeholders to help job seekers and students access training and education for the construction skilled trades industry in Northern New Mexico.

Quantifiable outcome

• $115,550 awarded to 47 businesses in 2022
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• North Central New Mexico Economic Development DistrictflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead organization for the Northern New Mexico Workforce Integration Network (WIN), a $6.4M Good Jobs Challenge grant partnership focused on healthcare and skilled trades workforce development. RDC serves as the backbone organization for the Skilled Trades sector.
• Santa Fe Community CollegeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the $6.4M WIN grant; serves as a key higher education institution in the workforce development initiative. Also partners on the Higher Education Workforce project.
• University of New Mexico-Los AlamoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of six regional higher education institutions partnered with RDC for the Higher Education Workforce project and the Workforce and Academic Network pilot project for skilled trades training.
• University of New Mexico-TaoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in the Higher Education Workforce project, working with RDC to develop curriculum alignment and student internship programs for Northern New Mexico students.
• Luna Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in Higher Education Workforce project. Also partnered with RDC on the free linemen training camp and workforce development programs.
• New Mexico Highlands UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in the Higher Education Workforce project, collaborating on workforce training and development initiatives in Northern New Mexico.
• Northern New Mexico CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution in Higher Education Workforce project. Hosted the free linemen training camp in partnership with RDC's workforce development initiatives.
• Pueblo de San IldefonsoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of the $1,684,578 DOE Community Capacity Building Grant awarded to RDC. RDC will support the Pueblo's efforts to increase economic and workforce development, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and maximize economic benefits for the Pueblo and surrounding communities.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLANL supports regional economic development through various initiatives including the Small Business Program, Acquisition Services, and the Feynman Center for Innovation. LANL local producers and suppliers are highlighted at RDC Business Connectivity Events.
• New Mexico Economic Development DepartmentcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState agency partner that participates in RDC events and provides business resources including state incentives and economic development programs.
• NM Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram connecting small businesses with LANL scientists and engineers for technical assistance including food product analysis, biochar soil analysis, biotech, computer modeling, materials analysis, and wind analysis.
• The Loan FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional resource partner providing financial services to small businesses; participates in RDC Business Connectivity Events to connect with entrepreneurs.
• WESSTcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSmall business development organization that partners with RDC at business events to provide resources and support to Northern New Mexico entrepreneurs.
• NM Startup FactorycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides Access to Capital presentations at RDC Business Tune-Up Events, educating businesses on finding capital, smart financing strategies, funding sources, and investor connections.
• New Mexico Department of Workforce SolutionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState workforce agency partner presenting on employee retention, hiring best practices, and human resources topics at RDC Business Tune-Up Events.
• NM AngelscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAngel investor network that provides crowd funding presentations at RDC events to educate entrepreneurs about startup funding approaches.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SCORE: National nonprofit providing free mentoring, workshops, and resources to small businesses. Comparable in its free, mentor-driven technical assistance model that competes for the same SMB education and advisory demand RDC addresses across Northern New Mexico.
• America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): National network of small business advising centers co-located with universities and state economic development agencies. The NM SBDC is identified as a referral partner of RDC and provides overlapping free consulting and training services statewide.

Direct peers

• WESST: New Mexico-based small business development organization delivering training, coaching, and lending to entrepreneurs. Listed as an active RDC resource partner at Business Connectivity Events and serves overlapping SMB and underserved-entrepreneur segments in New Mexico.
• DreamSpring: Albuquerque-headquartered CDFI providing microloans and small business capital across the Southwest. Directly comparable to RDC's TEAM Fund and Micro-Grant programs in providing non-traditional capital to underserved small businesses, including in tribal communities.
• New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NMMEP): MEP center supporting small and mid-sized New Mexico manufacturers with consulting and operational improvement — a current core funder of RDC's TEAM Fund-adjacent manufacturing work and a comparable state-level manufacturing assistance provider.
• North Central New Mexico Economic Development District: Regional Economic Development District serving the same seven-county Northern New Mexico area and lead applicant on the WIN partnership with RDC. Directly comparable as an EDA-designated regional economic development entity providing planning, funding, and project administration.
• The Loan Fund: New Mexico-focused community development financial institution providing loans and financial services to small businesses. Co-presents with RDC at Business Connectivity Events and competes/collaborates for the same capital-access gap in underserved SMB communities.

Regional players

• New Mexico Community Capital: New Mexico-focused community development financial institution supporting rural and underserved entrepreneurs through lending and technical assistance. Comparable mission and target customer base to RDC, with a statewide rather than seven-county footprint.
• LANL Foundation: Northern New Mexico-focused foundation affiliated with Los Alamos National Laboratory that funds education, career pathways, and community development. Comparable geographic and funder overlap, with a focus on cradle-to-career workforce pipelines rather than direct SMB capital.

Emerging players

• NM Startup Factory: New Mexico startup accelerator delivering capital-access education and founder programming. Delivers 'Access to Capital' content at RDC's Business Tune-Up Events and overlaps with RDC in serving early-stage New Mexico entrepreneurs seeking funding.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjGiFjDALfeqQckyg5q5Ang
• Facebookfacebook.com/rdcnewmexico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Regional Development Corporation