New Mexico's top economic development official says the state's decision this year to pour millions of dollars into wooing businesses and spurring job creation isn't being taken lightly.
Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela told lawmakers during a meeting Friday that his office is crafting policies to ensure that the money is spent wisely and that the program is transparent.
Barela says proving the state is getting a return from its investments under the Local Economic Development Act — or LEDA — will be key.
The state aims to create at least 1,500 jobs through the program in the next fiscal year.
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and the Legislature approved $50 million for LEDA projects during this year's regular and special legislative sessions. That's more than three times what was set aside for the program last year.
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