Business Permitting
Those who wish to conduct business within Taos County must complete a business registration and permitting process through the Taos County Planning Department. The specific permit required will depend on the nature and location of the business being conducted. Please visit the Planning Department to hold a pre-application meeting so that Planning staff can assist you in the process.
Need Start Up Business Support?
Taos County is rich with business support services for a small rural community. Please connect with our local Small Business Development Center for technical assistance with launching your business. If you are building a tech-related business, we recommend reaching out to UNM-Taos HIVE, which supports tech entrepreneurs and is building a tech business accelerator. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce offers regular networking events, as well as workshops, to help build your business.
Incorporated Communities
Taos County is home to four incorporated communities, each with their own character and unique economic make up. We partner with each of these communities, and strive to coordinate economic development efforts that benefit all residents. Please visit each municipality’s website for more information and to register your business in these municipalities if your place of business falls within their jurisdiction.
County Comprehensive Plan
Taos County has kicked off the planning process for an update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
As part of the planning process, the County’s consultant, Consensus Planning, has created a community survey that asks a wide range of questions regarding the future of Taos County and community aspirations related to quality of life, employment, growth and development, transportation and infrastructure, housing, etc. The results of the community survey will be analyzed and provide direction in preparing the Taos County Comprehensive Plan.
The community survey has been prepared in both English and Spanish.
Hard copies of the community survey are available at Taos County Administration Complex, The Village of Questa Village Office, and Family Dollar in Peñasco.
For further information, please contact:
North Central New Mexico Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
The North Central New Mexico Economic Development District (NCNMEDD) is the regional Council of Governments for local governments in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, Taos, Colfax, Mora, San Miguel, Los Alamos, and Sandoval counties. NCNMEDD is Taos County’s primary liaison to the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the driving force behind the region’s Community Economic Development Strategy.
Visit the NCNMEDD CEDS plan to learn more about regional economic development in Taos County.
How Taos County Economic Development Can Work with You
TCED is available to to support business and community development in a multitude of ways. Here are some examples of how we've worked across the County.
- Acting as fiscal agent on behalf of businesses and nonprofit organizations on state and Federal grant applications
- Requesting environmental assessment services and funding through the New Mexico Environmental Department on behalf of a private business
- Connecting local business owners with local, state, regional and Federal funding opportunities
- Consulting with business owners about how to scale or navigate business changes
- Connecting business owners with commercial real estate opportunities
- Supporting nonprofit organizations whose work connects community and economic benefit and development
- And more! Please reach out if you have questions or would like to discuss your project, business, organization or opportunity.
Technical Assistance
If you would like to discuss your business, have questions about potential resources that might be available, or are seeking technical assistance, please contact Taos County Economic Development Director, Jessica Stern, at jessica.stern@taoscountynm.gov or book an appointment online >.
