 Strengthening Santa Fe’s Future Together
Santa Fe’s future depends on the strength of its local businesses. When businesses thrive, they create jobs, support families, invest in nonprofits, and help sustain the services our community depends on. When they struggle, we all feel it. That is why the work of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is centered on one simple goal: strengthening businesses so we can strengthen Santa Fe. This legislative session, I have spent significant time at the Roundhouse advocating for policies that support workforce participation, childcare access, and economic stability. Reliable childcare allows parents to remain in the workforce. Public safety measures protect local retailers and commercial corridors. Thoughtful economic policy helps ensure Santa Fe remains competitive and resilient in a changing economy. Advocacy is only one part of our work. We are equally focused on leadership and workforce development. Leadership Santa Fe continues to cultivate emerging and established leaders who serve across industries and nonprofits. Our workforce partnerships help connect employers with talent. Through initiatives like Feria, we are expanding opportunity for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and strengthening pathways into the broader business community. We also create spaces where collaboration happens. From business expos to the annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon, these gatherings are more than events. They are opportunities to build relationships, share ideas, and spark partnerships that move our economy forward. The Chamber is not simply a networking organization. We are an advocate, a connector, and a catalyst for progress. Each March, we invite new businesses and organizations to become part of this work through our March Membership Madness campaign. Those who join this month receive special incentives, including promotional visibility and event credits. More importantly, they gain access to timely legislative updates, workforce connections, leadership development programs, and a network of more than 600 businesses committed to Santa Fe’s future. If you are interested in learning more about our advocacy efforts, legislative engagement, workforce initiatives, or upcoming community programs, we invite you to connect with us. Visit santafechamber.com or call (505) 988-3279 to learn how you can get involved. Together, we can continue building a vibrant, resilient, and thriving Santa Fe. Bridget Dixson, IOM President and CEO Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce  On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Milk and Honey Coffee held the grand opening of their new coffee shop and shared the celebration with the community during a ribbon cutting ceremony. They are now serving delicious coffee along with breakfast favorites such as crepes, waffles, and tacos.
 On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Chanel Doinoff Jewelry celebrated the grand opening of their new jewelry boutique gallery with ribbon cutting ceremony. Specializing in unique, artisan-crafted necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, they combine quality materials with creative design to bring distinctive wearable art.
Learn more at chaneldoinoff.com.  On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Xfinity celebrated the grand opening of their second location in Santa Fe with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This store was the first to open this year in the region. Xfinity is excited to expand their capacity to help their Santa Fe based customers.
Learn more at xfinity.com  A Chamber That Reflects Santa Fe Today
The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is not the organization many people still imagine when they hear the word “chamber.” As we move into 2026, our work is focused on meeting Santa Fe where it is today and helping shape where it is headed next. That means supporting businesses of all sizes, investing in people at every stage of their professional journey, and addressing the real challenges facing our local economy. We are building pathways for emerging leaders through Santa Fe Rising, our program for young professionals who want to build careers, connections, and community here. Retaining talent in Santa Fe requires more than employment opportunities. It requires belonging, leadership development, and meaningful ways to engage. We are also expanding our Women’s Leadership programming beyond a single annual luncheon. Quarterly gatherings allow for deeper conversations, mentorship, and connection across industries and career stages, reflecting the evolving role women play in Santa Fe’s economy and civic life. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword for the Chamber. Through Feria, we continue to elevate Spanish-speaking and Southside businesses by connecting them to resources, relationships, and advocacy. This work ensures more businesses are seen, supported, and positioned for long-term success. Leadership development remains central to our mission. Through our long-standing relationship with Leadership Santa Fe, the Chamber helps prepare informed, engaged leaders who understand the complexity of our community and are ready to serve on boards, commissions, and in civic roles. The Chamber is also deeply engaged in advocacy at the local and state level. As each legislative session approaches, we advance priorities that support workforce stability, housing, public safety, and a competitive environment for local businesses. From organized retail crime and public safety initiatives to broader economic policy, we work alongside lawmakers, law enforcement, and community partners to pursue practical solutions. Advocacy may happen behind the scenes, but its impact is felt across Santa Fe. Telling Santa Fe’s business story is part of this work. CONNECT Santa Fe, our annual business directory and magazine produced in partnership with the Santa Fe New Mexican, will be released later this winter and highlights the businesses, leaders, and neighborhoods shaping our local economy. The Santa Fe Chamber continues to serve as a catalyst for change, a convener of people and ideas, and a champion for the business community. If you want to be part of that work, there are many ways to engage. Become a Chamber member. Volunteer your time. Serve on a committee or board. Join a program. Lend your voice. The future of Santa Fe’s business community is shaped by those willing to step in and lead. Learn more at www.santafechamber.com. Bridget Dixson, IOM President and CEO Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce  On Thursday, December 4, 2025, J & B Gardens celebrated the grand opening of their new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony. J&B Gardens specializes in designing, creating, and maintaining beautiful and thriving environments. With 8+ years of experience, they're experts in southwestern landscaping.
Learn more at jbgardensnm.com.  Small Business, Big Impact
As the year winds down and the holiday season begins, I have been visiting with many of our local business owners, the retail businesses, restaurants, and service providers that form the backbone of our community. What I hear most often is a blend of optimism and fatigue. Many are grateful for loyal customers and steady support, but they are also navigating rising costs, workforce challenges, and an unpredictable economy. These conversations remind me of the strength and creativity that define Santa Fe’s business community. Across the country, small-business confidence has dipped in recent months, yet here at home, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. Local owners continue to adapt, collaborate, and invest in each other because they believe in what makes Santa Fe special. When you choose to spend your dollars locally, whether you stop by a neighborhood business, book a local service, or enjoy dinner at a Santa Fe restaurant, you are shaping the community we all share. Your choices help small businesses stay open, sustain jobs, and keep the character of our city alive. This is also the time of year when I am reminded how valuable Chamber membership can be. During uncertain times, visibility and connection matter more than ever. A Chamber membership provides marketing support, promotional opportunities, and a trusted network that amplifies local voices. Members gain exposure through events, our website, newsletters, and advocacy efforts that make sure business concerns are heard at every level. If you want to make a meaningful impact this season, consider giving the gift of a Chamber membership to a business you admire or investing in one for your own. It is one of the best ways to strengthen the local economy and ensure that our small businesses continue to thrive. Together, by shopping locally and supporting each other, we can keep Santa Fe’s business community strong, connected, and ready for what is ahead. Visit santafechamber.com to learn more. Bridget Dixson, IOM President and CEO Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce  On Friday, November 7, 2025, Duke City Games Santa Fe celebrated the grand opening of their fifth location on Zafarano Drive. Duke City Games is New Mexico’s #1 for Magic, Pokémon, & more.
Learn more at dukecity.games.  Child Care Is Smart Economic Infrastructure
If New Mexico wants to compete for talent, attract new industries, and grow our economy, we must start by investing in what makes a productive workforce possible. That means treating child care as the economic infrastructure it truly is. Every employer I talk to, from hospitals to small business owners, faces the same challenge: recruiting and retaining qualified workers. Too many parents are sidelined from the workforce or forced to reduce hours because they can’t find reliable care or the cost just doesn't make sense. Universal child care changes that equation. By removing child care costs as a barrier to employment and to a family's financial goals, we strengthen the labor force participation rate, a powerful measure of our state’s economic vitality. This isn’t just family policy or a social program; it’s a strategic investment. When parents can work and employers can fill jobs, productivity soars, incomes rise, and businesses grow. Research shows that for every dollar invested in early care and education, the long-term economic return can reach up to seven dollars through higher earnings, reduced social costs, and stronger communities. Those are numbers any businessperson can appreciate. Universal child care also supports our ability to train and retain a competitive workforce. When families have stable care, employees can pursue skills and training, apprenticeships, and higher education, building the skilled workforce that our economy depends on. Companies benefit from reduced absenteeism and turnover and higher morale, while the state gains an edge in attracting employers who see child-friendly policies as indicators of a strong, modern economy. At the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, we hear directly from employers who want to do right by their teams but struggle to find solutions that work. That is why the Chamber has been a strong advocate for family-friendly workplace policies, and long-term investment in our state’s early childhood system. We know that supporting families is not only the right thing to do, but also smart business. New Mexico’s Early Childhood Trust Fund gives us a sustainable way to maintain this investment over time, ensuring that child care access does not depend on federal cycles or budget swings. That long-term stability is exactly what the business community needs to plan for growth. Universal child care is not a handout; it is an economic driver. By investing in the foundations of our workforce and our business community, we are investing in New Mexico’s capacity to compete, innovate, and prosper for generations to come. It is time for business and government to lead together. Let’s make child care a permanent part of New Mexico’s economic development strategy and ensure every family has access to the care they need to work, thrive, and contribute to our state’s success. Bridget Dixson, IOM President and CEO Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce  On Friday, October 31, 2025, LOMA LLC. celebrated their grand opening with a Dia de Los Muertos themed open house. LOMA is a coworking space that caters to professionals and creatives seeking an office space that differs from traditional corporate offices.
Learn more at lomacowork.com |
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