New Mexico has launched a new division and technology platform to simplify infrastructure grants for local and tribal governments. The effort comes after wildfires burned roughly 24,700 acres across southern New Mexico in June 2024, prompting state and local officials to fund repairs and long-term recovery.
The Infrastructure Planning and Development Division, created 18 months ago within the Department of Finance and Administration, now manages the New Mexico Match Fund. The fund provides matching money to help communities qualify for federal grants, manage projects efficiently, and cover compliance costs.
Using a new grants management system called Euna Grants, the division replaced paper-based workflows with a centralized platform. The system handles multiple funding streams, ensures compliance, and allows legislative staff to view grant data and scoring criteria in real time.
Hallie Brown, deputy director of the division, said the platform allows for better transparency and efficiency. “We wanted to be able to make grants, manage grants, and have federal compliance baked in. That’s why it really met our needs,” she said.
Early results demonstrate the impact of the new system. The Mescalero Apache Tribe received $2.3 million, and Lincoln County was awarded $12.5 million to meet federal cost-share requirements tied to wildfire recovery. Brown said the program’s first-year return on investment was strong, with $4.25 coming back to the state for every $1 invested.
The fund offers $50 million for matching grants, $4 million for project implementation, and $17.5 million to offset federal compliance costs in fiscal year 2026. Eligible grantees include tribal and local governments, higher education institutions, utilities, and other political subdivisions.
Brown emphasized that the system does not remove control from local agencies. Instead, it reduces administrative burdens, allowing communities to focus on project delivery rather than paperwork. Standardized workflows and faster reporting help agencies and lawmakers track grant decisions and outcomes efficiently.
The division’s new technology also reduces friction around data requests. Lawmakers can access the same information the division uses, improving oversight and decision-making. By streamlining processes, the state ensures that matching funds reach communities quickly and effectively.
The Euna Grants platform was easier to implement because the division is newly formed, with few legacy processes to disrupt. Brown said that adopting modern technology early allows for long-term efficiency and better management of multiple funding sources.
Officials say the initiative is expected to accelerate infrastructure recovery, support tribal and local governments, and improve transparency in state-funded projects. The division’s work aims to provide consistent oversight while helping communities meet federal grant requirements.
By combining technology and strategic planning, New Mexico is setting a model for infrastructure grant management. Early success shows that investing in streamlined systems can deliver substantial returns and help communities recover from disasters faster.