Innovation. Impact. Investment.
An Economic Development Blueprint for the City of Las Cruces

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What is OrganX?
OrganX is an economic development blueprint designed to activate Innovation, Impact, and Investment in Las Cruces, New Mexico. By uniting public leadership, private capital, and research excellence, OrganX positions Las Cruces as a national model for rural innovation—one that retains its cultural soul and southwestern heritage while embracing high-growth industries.
OrganX focuses on reactivating underutilized assets like the Las Cruces Innovation & Industrial Park and launching initiatives that bridge agriculture, technology, and infrastructure, creating new pathways for regional prosperity.
This comprehensive blueprint was developed through close analysis of six cornerstone strategic plans—including those from the City of Las Cruces, NMSU, the State of New Mexico, and the Borderplex region—to ensure shared alignment, accelerate collaboration, and unlock implementation resources.
At its core, OrganX creates a framework for:
  • Activating legacy giving and private capital for economic development
  • Supporting next-generation industries through applied AI, clean energy, AgTech, and defense innovation
  • Building trust between philanthropists, civic leaders, and communities for inclusive economic growth
OrganX’s momentum aligns with the recent launch of the NMSU Institute for Applied Practice in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, led by President Valerio Ferme and AI strategist Enrico Pontelli. This institute solidifies Las Cruces’ role in shaping the future of applied AI in agriculture, infrastructure, defense, and education.
Strategic Vision
OrganX aims to:
  • Foster an inclusive economy leveraging legacy and philanthropic capital
  • Accelerate innovation in applied AI, sustainable agriculture (AgTech), renewable energy, aerospace, and autonomous mobility
  • Enhance workforce skills through targeted, collaborative training and entrepreneurship
  • Strengthen infrastructure, sustainability, and climate resilience

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Foundation for Future Growth
To understand the region's opportunity, a brief analysis identifies strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats to success for emerging alignment areas.
Strengths
  • New Mexico State University (NMSU) drives research, innovation, and workforce development.
  • Arrowhead Center strengthens public-private partnerships and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
  • City investments in infrastructure and downtown revitalization support long-term resilience.
  • Agricultural heritage—including pecans, chile, and alfalfa—remains a key economic driver.
  • NMSU’s Chile Pepper Institute enhances global visibility as a leader in Capsicum research.
  • Cultural tourism and a growing film industry are expanding Las Cruces’s creative economy.
Challenges
  • Limited seed capital restricts the ability to scale early-stage innovation and startups.
  • High-net-worth individuals are present, but philanthropic alignment is underdeveloped.
  • Slow infrastructure permitting delays development and deters investment.
  • Uneven access to tech tools creates barriers for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
  • Youth outmigration continues due to limited creative and career opportunities.
  • Inclusive growth will require bridging perception gaps and adapting legacy systems.
Opportunities
  • Positioned for transformation through emerging sectors like AgTech, renewable energy, and applied AI.
  • NMSU’s AI/ML Institute offers a foundation for tech-enabled growth and workforce training.
  • Spaceport America and the Innovation Park provide assets to lead in smart infrastructure.
  • Sustainable food systems offer potential through regional farming, tech integration, and value-added production.
  • A growing creative economy, fueled by rising film activity and immersive media, adds cultural depth and tourism potential.
Threats to Success
  • Lack of early seed capital to activate and sustain pilot programs
  • Permitting delays or limited planning capacity for infrastructure projects
  • Community skepticism or perception of exclusion from innovation benefits
  • Gaps in tech adoption readiness, zoning alignment, or broadband access
  • Inconsistent engagement from legacy business and civic leadership
  • Risk of burnout or bandwidth constraints among core OrganX collaborators

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Why Las Cruces, Why Now:

Las Cruces stands at a convergence of opportunity—anchored by NMSU’s growing research capacity (including its AI/ML Institute), its rich ag heritage, especially chile, pecans, and alfalfa and new cultural advancements like Film Las Cruces and AR storytelling.
  • The Innovation & Industrial Park, combined with strong regional public leadership, makes realization feasible today.
  • On the horizon: Federal IRA infrastructure funding, strong state incentives, and rural innovation grants are unlocking resources with perfect timing.
  • The rise of remote work, smart agriculture, and immersive media gives rural economies like Las Cruces an extraordinary moment to leap ahead.
Timing Is Ideal: 2025–2028
From the upcoming NMSU soundstage and smart-glasses labs to federal microgrid grants and the national growth in creative-tech investment, OrganX is tuned to deploy within this rare overlap of policy, funding, and technological progress.

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X Impact Initiatives
OrganX advances ten bold, interconnected initiatives designed to transform Las Cruces into a next-generation innovation hub—leveraging its unique assets in agriculture, technology, culture, and creativity to spark growth, activate underutilized spaces, and shape a distinctive regional identity.
1. Las Cruces Consumer Product Summit
Launching March 2026 — This signature summit accelerates the rise of Southwest-made consumer brands. Through inspiration, connection, and high-impact programming, the event brings together local makers, national experts, distributors, manufacturers, and investors for one goal: turning home-grown products into scalable brands. Workshops will cover trademarks, production, packaging, distribution, retail readiness, and AI-enabled growth. The Summit serves as a platform for regional economic growth—raising visibility, generating revenue, and building a new generation of brand success stories right here in Southern New Mexico.
2. High-End Ag-Themed Steakhouses
A series of high-end, ag-themed steakhouses will highlight local meats, regional wines, and curated dining. Inspired by the regional draw of Cattleman’s in El Paso, these venues aim to attract both New Mexicans and El Pasoans seeking a premier steak experience. Co-located event spaces, galleries, or test kitchens can be added.
3. “From Farm to Table” Culinary Innovation Zone
"From Farm to Table" Culinary Innovation Zone will transform Las Cruces into a hub of culinary entrepreneurship. It's an incubator where culture meets commerce, enabling makers to create and test value-added products like chile sauces, spice blends, and pecan specialties. This zone will provide co-packing, labeling, and distribution support to elevate products from prototype to shelf. It will serve to re-skilled workers, and startups to scale locally sourced brands.

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X Impact Initiatives (cont.)
4. Growth & Resilience Ag Innovator-in-Residence
GRAIN will drive rural innovation through AI-driven irrigation, drone agriculture, and climate-resilient farming. GRAIN recruits AgTech entrepreneurs to prototype and scale solutions with NMSU, USDA, and regional growers. Focus areas include precision irrigation, low-water crops, and value-added food processing. GRAIN also supports workforce development for sustainable agriculture and rural tech.
5. AgTech Innovation & Investment Hub
OrganX will transform the Las Cruces Innovation & Industrial Park into an AgTech hub. This will support research, manufacturing, and value-added food processing, with links to NMSU and USDA. To attract tenants, OrganX will launch an incentive fund with the state and a local foundation. The hub aims to build a regional food system and draw investment to Southern New Mexico's agriculture.
6. Smart Growth Living Lab
OrganX seeks to establish a Smart Growth Living Lab near the Innovation & Industrial Park as a pilot for modular, net-zero housing integrated with AI-enabled zoning tools. In partnership with NMSU Engineering, DACC construction programs, and local planners, the initiative would test solar-powered units, real-time permitting dashboards, and IoT-enabled infrastructure. This effort aligns with NM EDD’s site modernization strategy and Borderplex’s housing innovation goals.

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X Impact Initiatives (cont.)
7. Automated Taxi Transit Pilot (ATTP)
OrganX seeks to pilot an electric, autonomous shuttle system connecting NMSU, downtown Las Cruces, and the Innovation Park. Working with RoadRUNNER Transit, NM DOT, and NMSU, the project would test rural AV deployment, address last-mile gaps, and support Clean Mobility objectives. A workforce training component developed with DACC and NMSU would certify AV operators and technicians—supporting Borderplex and NM workforce development strategies.
8. Renewable Energy Microgrid Demonstration
OrganX seeks to develop a solar-plus-battery microgrid demonstration near the Innovation Park in collaboration with NMSU’s Center for Energy Resilience and state energy agencies. The system would provide island-mode backup, EV charging, and grid flexibility while serving as a training site earning microgrid credentials. This project aligns with NM clean energy goals, IRA/DOE funding opportunities, and the Borderplex strategy for rural energy innovation.
9. Space & Defense Integration Track
OrganX seeks to launch the Space & Defense Integration Track through a new LaunchPad Cruces accelerator in partnership with Spaceport America, White Sands, and NMSU’s aerospace programs. The initiative would support dual-use startups through SBIR coaching, testing access, and workforce internships. An annual Demo Day will connect founders with DoD partners and contractors, advancing NM and Borderplex priorities around defense diversification and tech transfer.

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X Initiatives (cont.)
10. The Lucerna Project: Immersive Dome Creator Studio
OrganX seeks to establish The Lucerna Project as its most ambitious cultural tech initiative—combining immersive media, storytelling, and creator infrastructure to ignite Southern New Mexico’s creative economy. At its core is a 360º immersive dome venue—designed as a next-generation public attraction inspired by venues like Cosm—featuring AI-powered, interactive stories, XR installations, and live entertainment crafted by regional filmmakers, artists, and experiential designers.
Connected to the dome is The Drop, a coworking and production lab for students and young professionals in digital media, podcasting, film, and smart-glasses content creation. The space will offer production pods, editing suites, and prototyping tools, plus mentorship from working creatives. With support from DACC, NMSU, Film Las Cruces, and private partners, Lucerna aims to train 200–300 creators annually and generate $3–5 million in revenue through ticketed shows, immersive events, memberships, and hospitality sales.
Aligned with NMSU, state, and Borderplex priorities, the project positions Las Cruces as a national model for rural media innovation—where culture meets code and borderland stories power immersive experiences.

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Projected Economic Impact: 2025-2028
OrganX is a private-sector-driven innovation strategy designed to position Las Cruces as a national model for rural regeneration, clean tech advancement, and creative industry leadership. Aligned with NMSU, the State of New Mexico’s economic development goals, and the Borderplex 2030 Plan, the ten initiatives are structured to deliver inclusive growth, attract public-private investment, and launch scalable, future-focused ventures. The following targets reflect projected outcomes across job creation, capital mobilization, workforce training, and regional tourism.
500+
Total Jobs Created
Estimated 500+ new jobs across sectors—ranging from AgTech developers and clean energy installers to culinary staff, immersive media producers, and construction professionals.
300+
Higher-Wage Jobs
Approximately 300 high-wage positions ($45K+ annually) are projected in applied technology, digital media, clean energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and professional services—many linked to new ventures and innovation hubs.
$35M
Capital Attracted
OrganX initiatives aim to attract $20M–$35M in combined private equity, federal grants, state incentives, and philanthropic funds—building a diversified capital base to fuel long-term economic resilience.
200K+
Annual Visitors
Tourism-driven initiatives like The Lucerna Project, Steakhouses and ag-themed culinary experiences are expected to draw 200,000+ annual visitors, boosting local spending, hospitality jobs, and regional brand visibility.
300+
Certifications
Through collaboration with NMSU, DACC, and industry partners, OrganX aims to award 250–350 certifications in high-growth fields such as AI, XR media, AV transit, AgTech, green energy, and smart construction.
40+
New Ventures
OrganX targets the launch of 30–40 new ventures in AgTech, food systems, immersive media, defense innovation, and clean infrastructure—leveraging regional assets to build scalable business models with national relevance.

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Alignment with Economic Strategic Plans
OrganX was built through rigorous alignment with six cornerstone strategic plans—including the NMSU Strategic Plan, the State of New Mexico’s Economic Development Strategy, the Borderplex 2030 Plan, the City of Las Cruces Strategic Plan (2021–2026), the Southern NM Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and the Statewide Strategic Transportation Plan (STSP). By analyzing these frameworks, OrganX ensures that its ten initiatives are not only visionary but grounded in shared regional priorities. This alignment unlocks public and private collaboration, accelerates implementation, and positions Las Cruces for long-term sustainability and scalable economic transformation.
OrganX aligns with NMSU’s priorities in experiential learning, applied research, and workforce development. Initiatives such as the GRAIN AgTech Residency, AI Hackathons, The Lucerna Project, and the Renewable Energy Microgrid integrate students, faculty, and research centers in real-world innovation. These efforts strengthen NMSU’s role as a driver of regional impact across agriculture, creative media, AI, and clean energy.
OrganX advances the state’s focus on creative industries, clean energy, AgTech, and rural entrepreneurship. The Culinary Innovation Zone, AgTech Hub, Lucerna Project, and Microgrid Demonstration directly support statewide goals for economic diversification, infrastructure development, and technology-enabled growth in underserved areas.
OrganX initiatives echo Borderplex 2030’s call for housing innovation, clean mobility, regional branding, and youth retention. Projects like the Smart Growth Living Lab, Autonomous Transit Pilot, and Lucerna Project bring these priorities to life—creating pathways for inclusive growth, cross-border tourism, and a next-generation workforce rooted in the culture and creativity of the Southwest.

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Alignment with Economic Strategic Plans cont.
OrganX aligns directly with the City of Las Cruces’ Strategic Plan by advancing core goals across mobility innovation, sustainability, economic inclusion, and quality of life. Initiatives such as the Automated Taxi Transit Pilot, Smart Growth Living Lab, and Renewable Energy Microgrid demonstrate actionable steps toward Goals 5 and 6—enhancing housing, transit, and climate resilience. Cultural and creative initiatives like The Lucerna Project and ag-themed culinary experiences bolster tourism, placemaking, and community identity, supporting Goals 1 and 3. Through public-private partnerships and equitable growth models, OrganX complements the City’s long-term vision of building a safe, vibrant, and economically diverse future.
OrganX complements New Mexico’s STSP by piloting next-generation transportation models and integrating smart infrastructure with innovation hubs. The Automated Taxi Transit Pilot (ATTP) supports the STSP’s vision for accessible, low-emission, autonomous mobility options. Projects like the Renewable Microgrid and Innovation Park reactivate infrastructure while fostering workforce pipelines in clean tech and AI. While OrganX’s core is not transport-specific, its overlap with STSP goals—especially in AV readiness, regional connectivity, and energy resilience—positions it as a valuable partner in advancing equitable and tech-enabled mobility statewide.
OrganX closely mirrors CEDS priorities in workforce upskilling, entrepreneurship, industrial diversification, and rural innovation. The AgTech Innovation Hub and GRAIN Residency directly address CEDS goals around value-added agriculture and advanced manufacturing, while the Culinary Innovation Zone expand access to capital and regional branding. The focus on renewable energy, aerospace innovation, and immersive media aligns with key CEDS clusters, from clean energy to creative industries. OrganX’s integrated approach to economic development offers a local model for inclusive prosperity, directly supporting CEDS strategies across infrastructure, talent, and innovation ecosystems.

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Strategic Plan Alignment Mapping
OrganX is not a standalone concept—it is a blueprint meticulously designed to intersect with the region’s most critical strategic priorities. Through the review and analysis of six cornerstone strategic plans, OrganX ensures that its ten initiatives are not only visionary, but also aligned with the economic, educational, and workforce ambitions of Southern New Mexico and the Borderplex. These plans span institutions of higher education, city government, regional economic agencies, and cross-border coalitions—each offering guidance on where investment, innovation, and workforce development are most needed.
By mapping its initiatives to these existing frameworks, OrganX strengthens the case for collaborative implementation, blended capital investment, and shared ownership among public and private stakeholders. This alignment strategy is also essential for attracting federal and philanthropic funding that requires demonstrated regional coordination.

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About the OrganX Creator
Joseph Sapien
National Award-Winning Innovation Strategist & Ecosystem Builder
Joseph Sapien is a nationally recognized innovation strategist with over 17 years of experience driving economic development, workforce transformation, and public-private partnerships across the U.S.–Mexico border region.
As Founder of the STTE Foundation, Joseph led over a $7.5M fundraising portfolio and designed AI- and AR-powered programs that have been featured at ASU+GSV and backed by Google, Microsoft, and national philanthropies. His initiatives—such as AI Hackathons, Ventures Startup Program (13x ROI), and EdTechConnect.org—have helped over 100 startups while activating youth and underserved communities in STEM and entrepreneurship.
He previously served as a communications executive at Workforce Solutions Borderplex, where he managed $2.5M in grant programs. He co-developed the Skills for Sustainability initiative, placing nearly 100 individuals into higher-wage jobs. His product portfolio includes AI Agents for SMBs, Startosphere™, and the Unicorn Academy Phygital Textbook—all designed to democratize access to innovation.
Joseph has received national accolades including the Ecosystem Builder of the Year award by Inicio Ventures (a Google partner), and has presented at major conferences including ASU+GSV. His work is credited with delivering over $2.9M in measurable economic impact and shaping tech policy for rural and border communities.
$7.5M+
Funds Raised
13X
ROI
from early-stage startup initiatives in El Paso
$2.9M
Economic Impact
20+
Years Experience
100K+
Youth & Jobseekers Impacted through Programs
250+
Developers Activated
via Hackathons and Innovation Labs
Contact: Joseph Sapien
(915) 240-5571 | Joseph@movetheplan.com
All rights reserved.

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