The UNM Economic Development Council (EDC) was established by the President of the University of New Mexico (UNM) to serve as a coordinating entity and think tank for the internal UNM community on economic development matters. EDC membership consists of deans and center directors with a focus on increasing the economic impact of UNM on New Mexico. The EDC goals include the following:
- Serve as a collaborative center for UNM’s economic development initiatives.
- Serve as a resource for the economic development team and the UNM administration on economic development opportunities that correlate with UNM’s core educational mission and excellence in research.
- Facilitate the implementation of UNM’s vision of having entrepreneurial economic development across all disciplines.
- Collect and disseminate information about UNM activities related to economic and creative activity to the community, including relevant stakeholders.
- Raise the visibility of UNM’s role in the innovation ecosystem within the UNM campus community.
- Lead UNM’s efforts in the expansion of the economic ecosystem in New Mexico, making the state a more attractive destination for companies and a positive entrepreneurial climate for entrepreneurs and investors.
- Lead UNM’s efforts to make New Mexico, The State of Innovation.
- Promote STC.UNM, Innovate ABQ and Innovation New Mexico nationally.
The benefits of EDC are anticipated to include:
- More students interested in attending UNM and staying in New Mexico due to increased economic opportunities.
- Enhancing research opportunities which will lead to economic benefit.
- Opportunities for growth in academic areas of excellence within UNM based on increased entrepreneurial economic activity.
- Expansion of UNM’s national visibility with the attraction of capital from major venues.
- Greater recognition of UNM’s innovative contributions to regional and national economic development.