Helping Small Outdoor Businesses Grow in New Mexico

New Mexico’s small outdoor recreation businesses are getting a fresh boost. A group that supports these businesses has rebranded and is back with a new leader. The alliance, now called the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance (NMORBA), once had over 100 members but lost momentum in recent years due to fundraising struggles and unclear goals. Today, it has about 25 members and is working to rebuild. The new executive director, Tavis Malcolm, brings experience from both running his own outdoor gear company and appearing on a popular TV show. Malcolm knows firsthand how tough it is to run a small business in this industry. He wants NMORBA to focus on helping these businesses succeed by offering real support, not just empty promises.The outdoor recreation industry in New Mexico is big, contributing $3. 6 billion to the state’s economy. But small businesses face major challenges. Rising costs from tariffs and expensive insurance are making it hard for them to grow. Some companies even had to cancel events because insurance prices were too high. Malcolm wants NMORBA to fight for policies that ease these burdens, like tax breaks and liability protections. One way NMORBA is helping right now is through a small grant program. The Meta Marketing Microgrant gives members $250 to spend on social media ads. It’s not a huge amount, but Malcolm believes every dollar counts. The goal is to give businesses a real advantage, especially those just starting out. Malcolm’s leadership and the alliance’s renewed focus could make a difference. By listening to members and pushing for better policies, NMORBA might help New Mexico’s outdoor businesses thrive again.