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State of New Mexico

To enrich New Mexicans' lives by becoming a national leader in clean energy, creative industries, and equitable opportunity.

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State of New Mexico SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This State of New Mexico SWOT analysis reveals a pivotal moment. The state possesses world-class assets in research, culture, and renewable energy, creating a strong foundation for its vision. However, deep-seated weaknesses, particularly in education, poverty, and economic reliance on oil and gas, pose significant hurdles. The primary challenge is execution: converting immense opportunity, amplified by federal funding, into tangible, equitable outcomes for citizens. The SWOT analysis concludes that a relentless focus on economic diversification, water security, educational reform, and innovation is not merely strategic but essential for survival and prosperity in the coming decade. The path is clear, but the will to overcome historical inertia will determine success.

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To enrich New Mexicans' lives by becoming a national leader in clean energy, creative industries, and equitable opportunity.

Strengths

  • CULTURE: Globally unique tri-cultural heritage is a major tourism draw
  • INCENTIVES: Film program is a top-3 US destination for productions
  • RESEARCH: Two major national labs (Sandia, LANL) drive innovation
  • ENERGY: Top-tier solar and wind resources for renewable energy dev
  • TOURISM: Iconic landscapes and arts scene attract global visitors

Weaknesses

  • POVERTY: One of the highest poverty rates in the nation at ~18%
  • EDUCATION: K-12 system consistently ranks in the bottom 5 of states
  • RELIANCE: Over 30% of state budget from volatile oil & gas revenue
  • INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant deficits in rural broadband and water systems
  • HEALTHCARE: Shortages of medical professionals in rural communities

Opportunities

  • FUNDING: Unprecedented federal IRA funds for clean energy projects
  • AEROSPACE: Growing commercial space industry at Spaceport America
  • MANUFACTURING: Reshoring trends favor US locations for key industries
  • TOURISM: Increased demand for outdoor recreation and sustainable travel
  • TECH: Commercialization opportunities from national lab research

Threats

  • WATER: Historic long-term drought threatens agriculture and cities
  • COMPETITION: Neighboring states (TX, AZ) have lower tax burdens
  • VOLATILITY: Extreme fluctuations in oil/gas prices destabilize budget
  • WORKFORCE: 'Brain drain' of skilled graduates to other states
  • POLITICS: Federal policy changes can impact funding and priorities

Key Priorities

  • DIVERSIFY: Accelerate economic shift from oil/gas using fed funds
  • WATER: Urgently implement a statewide water security & infra plan
  • EDUCATION: Execute bold reforms to fix K-12 and retain graduates
  • INNOVATE: Systematically convert national lab R&D into local jobs

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State of New Mexico Market

  • Founded: January 6, 1912 (Statehood)
  • Market Share: Ranked 36th by population, 37th by GSP in the U.S.
  • Customer Base: 2.1 million residents and businesses in New Mexico.
  • Category:
  • SIC Code: 9199 Administration of General Economic Programs
  • NAICS Code: 921190 Other General Government Support
  • Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • Zip Code: 87501
    Congressional District: NM-3 SANTA FE
  • Employees: 24100
Competitors
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Products & Services
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State of New Mexico Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025

The State of New Mexico is executing a strategic transformation. By leveraging its world-class federal labs and cultural assets, it's building a resilient economy focused on technology and creative industries. This plan creates high-wage jobs, elevates education, and ensures sustainable prosperity, making New Mexico the premier state for opportunity and quality of life in the Southwest.

1

Unlocking economic potential beyond oil and gas.

2

Building educational pathways to prosperity.

3

Leveraging unique assets for future-proof jobs.



Before State

  • Over-reliant on volatile oil & gas revenue
  • Struggling public education system
  • Limited high-wage job opportunities
  • Facing severe water scarcity challenges

After State

  • Diverse, resilient, high-growth economy
  • Top-quartile K-12 and higher education
  • Thriving hub for tech, creative industries
  • A secure and sustainable water future

Negative Impacts

  • Boom-and-bust budget cycles hurt services
  • 'Brain drain' of talented young people
  • Persistently high poverty rates
  • Threats to agriculture and way of life

Positive Outcomes

  • Stable funding for critical state services
  • Increased median household income for all
  • Net in-migration of skilled workers
  • Long-term prosperity and quality of life

Key Metrics

Net Migration Rate
-0.2% (2023)
Citizen Satisfaction Index
Varies by service
Business Formation Rate
+4.8% (2023)
GSP Growth Rate
+2.1% (2023)

Requirements

  • Sustained, strategic public investment
  • Bold policy reforms in education/economy
  • Strong public-private partnerships
  • Statewide commitment to conservation

Why State of New Mexico

  • Targeted economic development incentives
  • Modernizing educational curriculum & pay
  • Building innovation hubs around nat'l labs
  • Investing in large-scale water projects

State of New Mexico Competitive Advantage

  • Unmatched federal lab assets for R&D
  • Unique cultural identity attracts talent
  • Abundant solar and wind resources
  • Generous film production incentives

Proof Points

  • Billions in film production spending yearly
  • Major new investments from Netflix, Intel
  • Fastest-growing renewable energy sector
  • Los Alamos/Sandia Labs innovation engine
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State of New Mexico Market Positioning

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

1

DIVERSIFY

Aggressively shift economic reliance from oil & gas

2

INNOVATE

Leverage federal labs to build a tech-based economy

3

EDUCATE

Transform public education into a top-25 US system

4

SUSTAIN

Secure New Mexico's water future through conservation

What You Do

  • Provides public services, infrastructure, and economic stewardship.

Target Market

  • Residents, businesses, and visitors of New Mexico.

Differentiation

  • Tri-cultural heritage (Native, Hispanic, Anglo)
  • Major federal research labs
  • Vast renewable energy potential

Revenue Streams

  • Gross receipts (sales) tax
  • Income tax (personal & corporate)
  • Oil and gas production taxes
  • Federal government funding
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State of New Mexico Operations and Technology

Company Operations
  • Organizational Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
  • Supply Chain: Manages public works, services via state agencies & contractors.
  • Tech Patents: Primarily through partnerships with Sandia & Los Alamos Labs.
  • Website: https://www.nm.gov/
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State of New Mexico Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

NONE: The threat of new entry is non-existent. The geopolitical framework of the United States is fixed, and new states cannot be created to compete.

Supplier Power

HIGH: The Federal Government is a critical supplier of funds (~25% of budget) and can dictate terms. The oil & gas industry is a key revenue supplier with significant lobbying power.

Buyer Power

MODERATE: Voters ('buyers' of governance) can change leadership every 2-4 years. Large corporations can demand significant incentives to locate or stay, effectively dictating terms.

Threat of Substitution

HIGH: Residents and businesses can easily substitute New Mexico by relocating to other states, particularly those in the lower-cost, high-growth Sun Belt region.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense competition from AZ, TX, CO for businesses, talent, and federal investment based on taxes, regulation, and quality of life.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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