NMIIC LEARNING SESSION:
Beyond Extraction: How Community Ownership Builds Lasting Prosperity and Thriving Local Economies
Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
10AM-11:30AM MT
Hosted on Zoom Webinar
Description:
Across New Mexico, rising housing costs, business closures, and land dispossession are pushing wealth and assets out of local communities. This shift doesn’t just impact individual families—it weakens entire local economies, disrupts generational wealth-building, and erodes community resilience. When homes, businesses, and land are controlled by absentee owners or outside investors, decision-making is often disconnected from local needs, leading to displacement, job loss, and fewer opportunities for long-term economic stability. These trends disproportionately impact frontline workers and communities of color, widening racial and economic disparities.
Community ownership offers a powerful alternative. By shifting control of businesses, housing, and land into the hands of residents, workers, and local stakeholders, community ownership models help build long-term prosperity, prevent wealth extraction, and create stronger, more equitable economies.
In this session, we’ll explore:
What community ownership is and how it strengthens local economies
Why it’s essential for racial equity, economic resilience, and thriving neighborhoods
How New Mexico communities are leveraging these models to secure land, housing, and businesses for future generations
Experts will share real-world examples of community-led ownership initiatives, highlighting the role of impact investors, policymakers, and ecosystem partners in scaling these efforts. We’ll also discuss the key barriers to community ownership and how capital can be structured to drive sustainable impact.
By the end of the session, participants will:
Understand the core principles of community ownership and how it differs from traditional ownership models
Recognize the role of shared ownership in wealth-building and racial equity
Identify successful community ownership strategies in New Mexico, including case studies in housing, land trusts, and businesses
Explore investment and policy levers that can help scale community ownership efforts
This session is designed for impact investors, foundations, economic development organizations, and policymakers looking to align their capital with solutions that keep wealth rooted in communities and promote long-term economic justice in New Mexico.
