Season 3 of Enchanting Economics begins with a discussion about the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Oil Conservation Division. This understaffed and underfunded group has the potential to inject millions into New Mexico's economy, not to mention help clean and protect our environment. For more information on the department, visit its official website at www.emnrd.nm.gov. Also, check out the preliminary impact analysis BBER did on the OCD at bber.unm.edu

We chat with Economic FORUM of Albuquerque Executive Director Bob Murphy and Chair of the Board Michelle Coons about his impending retirement and the future of the group.

Economic Forum of Albuquerque website

Acting BBER Director Michael O'Donnell gives quarterly presentations to its economic forecast (FOR-UNM) subscribers. This episode is a snippet of his 2021Q3 discussion from Aug. 6, where he recaps New Mexico's recent performance as well as presents a portion of his forecast.

NMMainStreet Director Daniel Gutierrez talks about the different ways they are helping our communities rebuild and restore to make economic successes.   

Visit www.nmmainstreet.org for more information on the different programs NMMainStreet offers and how you can make a difference in your community.

BBER Director Michael "Mo" O'Donnell explains the current struggle plaguing New Mexico's workforce. Hear why people are hesitant to return to work, why businesses are struggling to hire staff, what industries are still hurting and who's recovering from the recent pandemic-induced recession.  

To view local media coverage with quotes from Mo, visit bber.unm.edu/news

Sonja Unrau, Community Relations Manager for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, and BBER Data Bank Manager Suzan Reagan run the gamut of housing in the Land of Enchantment. We discuss how MFA gets its data, how it targets specific areas of New Mexico to assess the community's needs, as well as what it is actively doing to help during the COVID-19 crisis.

If you or someone you know needs help with rent, visit Rental Help New Mexico (renthelpnm.org) | The state of New Mexico will grant $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

For more on MFA, visit its website at MFA Housing New Mexico (housingnm.org)

Jee Hwang, Economist Supervisor for the New Mexico Human Services Income Support Division answers our questions about HSD's challenging role in aiding NM residents in need. 

Check out HSD's State of New Mexico Data Book: a summary of social, economic, and health statistics of our state. The Data Book presents, in one reference document, a diversity of information and is designed to facilitate comparisons of national, state, and county‐level data.

UNM Geospatial and Populations Studies Senior Research Scientist Dr. Jacqueline Miller gives us a glimpse at New Mexico's population and helps us get a better understanding of the 2019 Migration data BBER collected from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey Estimates.

We chat briefly with Mountain West Regional Director for The Coalition for Community Solar Access Kevin Cray about bringing community solar to New Mexico. What is it, when will it be here and how will it impact the Land of Enchantment?

FULL REPORT: The Potential Economic Impact of Community Solar in New Mexico

BBER research scientist Rose Elizabeth Rohrer, M.S., is one of three primary authors of the report The Economic Opportunities and Challenges of Uranium Mine Cleanup in New Mexico. She talks with us about the incredible economic opportunities New Mexico has if it chooses to follow BBER's recommendations.

For full uranium mine cleanup coverage, visit bber.unm.edu/uranium.