The New Mexico Departments of Economic Development, Tourism and Taxation and Revenue encourage New Mexicans and visitors to shop at small businesses first during the holiday season.
While shoppers may not find everything on their list in local, small businesses, stopping there first gives business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, growers, and makers an opportunity to grow their business and support the local economy.
To support and encourage shop local efforts throughout New Mexico during the holiday season, the New Mexico Tourism Department recently published its annual New Mexico True Certified holiday gift guide. This year’s gift guide features 130 locally grown and produced products from jewelry, fine art, apparel, home décor, snacks and more.
NMTD also launched its first-ever New Mexico True Certified shop local campaign for the holiday season. The campaign highlights the craft, care and artistry of New Mexico True certified goods.
Nov. 25, 2023, is New Mexico’s Small Business Saturday tax holiday when the state suspends collection of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items at certain, nonfranchise small businesses with 10 employees or less. The annual tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. and ends at midnight the same day.
A wide variety of merchandise qualifies for tax-free status such as toys, games, electronics, books, sporting goods, and more — as long as the price is under $500 per item. Gift cards do not qualify. A complete list of qualifying items can be found on the Tax & Revenue Department’s website.
“Small business Saturday is a great opportunity for all of us to save a little money and support home-grown New Mexico businesses to grow our local economy,” said Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke.
“More than 50 percent of New Mexico employees work for small businesses. Shopping at small businesses during the holiday season supports your neighbors, our state’s economy and local communities,” said acting Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Clark.
“We really wanted to put a concerted effort into reminding folks this holiday shopping season that they can find high quality and authentic gifts made right here in New Mexico,” said acting Tourism Secretary Lancing Adams. “When New Mexicans make the decision to shop local, they are uplifting the merchants, artists and creatives that power our small business ecosystem.”
“Throughout the year, but especially during the holiday shopping season, it’s important to keep dollars in the local economy because that money recirculates and strengthens our communities. Additionally, many of New Mexico Main Street’s affiliated communities host family-friendly events that bring people together to eat, shop, and play in their welcoming and vibrant commercial districts,” said New Mexico Main Street Director Daniel J. Gutierrez.
Shopping locally is important because small businesses create jobs in the community, and they’re also more likely to give to community charities. Money spent locally recirculates and strengthens the local tax base which supports community services. Finally, a vibrant local economy improves the quality of life for the whole community.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 25, 2024
