Rep. Vasquez Secures Federal Funding to Boost Local Small Businesses, Meets With South Valley Business Owners

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – On February 20, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited small businesses in the South Valley and attended the New Mexico Mainstreet Conference to discuss the funding he recently secured for small business improvements in Albuquerque and the impact it will have on local communities. 

In the FY2026 budget, Congressman Vasquez secured $500,000 to help upgrade 200 local businesses’ storefronts and surrounding infrastructure in the South Valley — improving safety, helping advertising efforts, and creating better spaces for customers, investors, and workers alike. This South Valley Commercial Corridor Revitalization funding will allow the City to transition from a loan-based model to funding the repairs themselves, offering no-cost support to small businesses that otherwise lack access to capital. 

“The Barelas neighborhood has been a center for community activity and small businesses for many years, and I’m excited to see this funding help grow the local economy, increase community pride, and generate more local dollars. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I am proud to have secured this federal investment,” said Vasquez. “Starting a small business is part of the American dream. As long as I’m in Congress, I’ll work to lower costs and make sure that dream stays in reach for hardworking New Mexicans.”

Congressman Vasquez is a longtime advocate for small business development in New Mexico. Before serving in Congress, he was a key player in helping revitalize downtown Las Cruces, both as a City Councilor and a Board member of the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership. He’s worked to hold the Administration accountable for the uncertainty its tariffs are inflicting on small businesses and is working across the aisle to support bipartisan legislation to curb tariffs on Mexico and Canada, our top trading partners. Congressman Vasquez is also pushing against  attacks on the Small Business Administration, cosponsoring legislation to boost public safety funding and protect storefronts, and supporting efforts to convert vacant commercial real estate into affordable housing.

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