Mar. 18—Sánchez Farms owner Javier Sánchez aims to expand his newly acquired feed and hardware store thanks to money from the state's Local Economic Development Act fund.
Sánchez was awarded $150,000 in LEDA money to bring on two full-time employees at Estancia Valley Feed & Supply, which he runs with his two eldest sons. He is also putting $25,000 in private capital toward the store, which he assumed ownership of in 2023, and will invest more if an expansion comes to life in neighboring Mountainair.
The state money is made possible through a change to the LEDA statute in 2020, which allows for investments in retail projects in local communities of less than 150,000.
"We would like to make our stores a one-stop shop for farm and ranch needs," Sánchez said.