Mapping the Enabling Conditions for New Mexico’s Competitiveness Strategy for the Next 25 Years

Session Overview

Mr. Chad Evans, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Council on Competitiveness, opened the conversation by highlighting the importance of place-based strategies to secure the United States’ long-term competitiveness. U.S. competitiveness is growing in importance as the nation confronts China, a competitor uniquely presenting both economic and security challenges. Meeting this challenge requires not only technological and industrial leadership but also strategies grounded in regional strengths. New Mexico’s distinctive assets, partnerships, and institutional capacity position it as a key contributor to this new era of great power competition.

At the core of New Mexico’s advantage is a collaborative culture characterized by exceptional access and authentic partnerships. The state’s close-knit networks and civic culture allow institutions to form meaningful partnerships and respond quickly to shared challenges. Ms. Tracy Hartzler, President of Central New Mexico Community College, highlighted that authentic relationships enable rapid progress from ideas to implementation. Similarly, Ms. Kathy Keith, Director of the Community Partnerships Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory, shared how accessible leaders across the state are. Even top decision-makers — including cabinet secretaries, legislators, and tribal leaders — are within reach, fostering a high degree of connectivity between stakeholders.

This access-driven ecosystem supports a thriving culture of innovation. Rather than siloed expertise, the state’s institutions — including the U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories — draw from multiple disciplines, fostering the cross-pollination of ideas that drives breakthrough innovation. At Los Alamos National Laboratory, for example, scientists from a wide range of disciplines work together, creating an environment where new ideas are constantly exchanged and refined.

This innovative and collaborative environment lays the groundwork for New Mexico to lead in several strategic “moonshot” opportunities where the state already possesses significant scientific and technological advantages. In nuclear energy, New Mexico benefits from a deep well of expertise concentrated within the U.S. DOE National Laboratories, positioning the state as a leader capable of driving innovation and industry growth in this critical sector. Biosciences also offer significant promise, with projects such as developing vaccines to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms. As suggested by Dr. James Holloway, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of New Mexico, the biggest moonshot opportunity in the state is quantum science. Foundational research in quantum information theory originated in New Mexico’s laboratories, and the field has since grown into a national security priority with the potential to revolutionize computing, communications, and defense systems.

Despite its strong research foundation, New Mexico must enhance its ability to commercialize innovations to fully realize their impact. Ms. Mary Monson, Senior Manager of Technology Partnerships and Business Development at Sandia National Laboratories, stressed that “the other part of the moonshot is the business side” — the essential challenge of bringing groundbreaking technologies to market. New Mexico must develop more robust mechanisms to translate scientific breakthroughs into deployable, market-ready innovations. This includes building stronger connections between research institutions and the private sector, while also raising national awareness of the achievements already underway in New Mexico. “No one knows about the achievements of New Mexico,” she remarked, urging a more proactive strategy to promote the state’s capabilities and assets.

Building on this foundation requires a broader approach to economic development — one that connects innovation with long-term investment and sustained impact. Ms. Monson highlighted the importance of not only developing technologies but also attracting companies, capital, and talent to the state. This requires clearly communicating what New Mexico and its national laboratories offer — world-class science, a collaborative culture, and untapped potential. Dr. Holloway added that capturing companies is only part of the equation; New Mexico must also retain the value generated from scaling these innovations locally. Effective commercialization, therefore, is not just about moving research into the marketplace — it is about ensuring that the economic benefits stay in New Mexico, reducing underemployment and driving long-term, inclusive growth.

Achieving these goals demands that economic development strategies be inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of communities across the state. While large-scale innovation and industrial expansion remain critical, they must be balanced with targeted support for rural and smaller local economies. Dr. Holloway noted that industrial growth often overlooks the challenges faced by rural areas, where small businesses serve as essential drivers of economic resilience and community transformation. “The needs of small businesses are equally important as the needs of large manufacturers and tech industries,” he explained. Building on this perspective, Ms. Keith advocated for small businesses being more involved in the economic planning of New Mexico. “We cannot only have large employers at the table. We need space for small businesses to share their voice and contribute to decisions. If we are not doing it together, it is not going to happen,” she stated. By embracing the strengths and voices of all communities, New Mexico can promote sustainable, equitable economic growth that benefits the entire state.

However, fostering such inclusive growth requires more than collaboration — it demands a clear, long-term vision supported by sustained, strategic investment that transcends short-term political cycles. To fully leverage its strengths, New Mexico must commit to a consistent 20-year strategy that prioritizes bold investments in higher education and talent recruitment from around the world. Mr. Dekker pointed out, institutional alignment is essential to “buy the human capital” necessary to establish New Mexico as a leader in advanced technology, building a global network of students and innovators who will raise all boats and improve the well-being of all New Mexicans.

Central to this strategy is the careful and deliberate use of New Mexico’s large sovereign wealth fund. Often viewed as a rainy day fund, it is worth noting that New Mexico experiences plenty of “rain” in the form of pressing challenges such as poverty and underperformance in the education system. Rather than letting these issues stall progress, the sovereign wealth fund should be used strategically over decades to provide stable support for workforce development, research, and innovation. Thoughtful stewardship of this fund will offer the fiscal discipline and long-term perspective necessary to elevate New Mexico’s position in the global technology landscape.

New Mexico needs to find its distinct voice—a “moonshot mentality” that embraces the future with courage rather than fear. By taking on this challenge, the state can not only address its current struggles but also create breakthroughs that set it apart as a beacon of innovation and opportunity for years to come.