A Taos Destination Stewardship Pilot Initiative
Programming powered by UNM Taos HIVE, the SBDC and Taos County Economic Development
Do you know a business or individual looking to innovate and advance tourism business models that celebrate culture, protect the environment, benefit local communities and welcome visitors in meaningful ways?
Building Tourism Innovation in Taos County
Anyone can nominate a friend, relative, business they admire or even themselves - as long as the entity would be registered in Taos County and meet the program goals. Taos County businesses, entrepreneurs, or revenue-generating projects can be nominated - as long as they intend to create products, services, or experiences that benefit locals and visitors and meet the criteria.
SUBMIT BY JANUARY 23, 2026
Who You Can Nominate
Designed to turn strong ideas into sustainable, revenue-generating, community-serving projects, TAOS SEED offers Taos County tourism innovators a chance to connect with other business leaders, tap into tactical business support services, and share their story through local networks and media.
Emerging & Concept Stage Ideas
For early-stage ideas & pre-revenue projects.
Awards: Up to $5,000*
Growing & Established Projects
For operating projects expanding offerings, improving sustainability, or strengthening cultural/authentic experiences.
Awards: Up to $10,000*
Collaborative / Multi-Partner Projects
For operating projects expanding offerings, improving sustainability, or strengthening cultural/authentic experiences.
Awards: Up to $10,000*
*All funds awarded will be subject to taxation. Funds can be used for costs pertaining to the development of the awardees' ideas.
WHY NOMINATE?
Taos is more than tourism — it’s land, culture, and community.
And community wisdom helps guide investment where it belongs.
This pilot program supports ideas rooted in care for the people and places that make this region special, while welcoming visitors responsibly. If someone is creating experiences or business models that give back more than they take, and foster connection rather than commodification, nominate them.
Program Benefits
Nominees will be invited to apply to receive the following benefits to support their innovative ideas.
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Tiered micro-grants aligned with project maturity (emerging, growing, collaborative).
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Business Plan support & Gap Analysis Development with the SBDC
One-on-one needs navigation and tactical support with UNM TAOS HIVE
10 hours of paid specialist support
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Monthly dinner gatherings in unique locations around Taos
Guided conversations and shared learning with local innovators
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Media features through Taos MainStreet & Benthouse Creative
Storytelling and promotion support
Taos Destination Stewardship in Action
The Taos Destination Stewardship Plan highlights the community’s desire to amplify reciprocal connections between visitors and locals that have positive benefits on our economic, environmental and social landscape.
The Taos Destination Stewardship effort calls for tourism that:
Supports inclusive economic development
Strengthens cultural integrity in tourism products
Protects land, water, and natural resources
Improves the lives of local people
This cohort prioritizes innovators whose projects generate sustainable revenue, integrate stewardship values, and expand opportunities for groups historically excluded from the tourism economy — including Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities.
PROGRAM GOALS
The pilot SEED program was designed by a cross sector action team to:
Fuel inclusive, place-based economic growth
Support innovators serving both locals and visitors
Increase the visibility of community-driven tourism products
Pilot a new model of business support in Taos County
Grow awareness of the Taos Destination Stewardship Network efforts
Learn what is needed to scale future entrepreneur-support programs in the Enchanted Circle
2026 Timeline
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• Program announced: Mid-December 2025
• Nominations open: NOW
• Nominations close: January 21, 2026 -
• Evaluation committee reviews nominations: January 12th-January 20th
• Long-form applications sent to top nominees: January 22, 2026
• Long-form applications due: February 5, 2026
• Awards announced the February, 18th -
• Kickoff dinner + orientation: Week of February 25, 2026
• Monthly dinners and support sessions: March, April, May 2026
• Specialist meetings and business-plan development: March–May 2026 -
• Innovators share outcomes with the community: June 2026
EVALUATION PROCESS
A separate evaluation committee will review nominations and long-form applications. This committee will include representatives from across Taos County with diversity in Geography, Sector, Cultural background, Lived experience.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
• Community relevance and benefit
• Alignment with Destination Stewardship values
• Potential to attract respectful visitor engagement
• Project readiness and feasibility
• Financial sustainability potential
• Accessibility and clarity of responses
