Cannabis grant providing 11 'high-paying' jobs

Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M.
·2 min read

Feb. 3—Clovis City commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to help a Clovis cannabis business gain access to a $90,000 grant from the state.

Vana LLC was granted state Local Economic Development Act funds last year.

Clovis City Manager Justin Howalt advised the city's Economic Incentive Board in November that the city was requested to act as the fiscal agent to distribute the funds over five years because the state does not have a mechanism to provide funds directly to an applicant once approved.

Jim Lucero from the Region 6 Economic Development Department told commissioners the new action by Vana LLC will provide 11 "high-paying" jobs at Vana with the company's existing facility in the 1000 block of Santa Fe Street in Clovis.

After the meeting, Vana Chief Operating Officer Riddhi Bhakta told The News that the $90,000 grant is a "crucial investment supporting our mission to create a reliable business ecosystem for our community to access cannabis."

"(The grant) enables us to expand our operations, foster local job creation, and continue our commitment to working towards uplifting our rural community," Bhakta wrote in an email.

Bhakta described goals the company has by working with the Clovis city commission.

"By continuing to work closely with the commission, we aspire to create a ripple effect, not only generating employment opportunities but also contributing to the economic growth of our community," Bhakta wrote.

Bhakta wrote Vana was founded in 2021 as a "family-owned cannabis manufacturing business."

Bhakta said the company takes a "a holistic approach from seed to sensation. Our commitment is to New Mexico's cannabis oasis, cultivating products grown by local farmers and processed at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility."

She added the company's vision is to "contribute to a world where affordable, reliable, and high-quality cannabis products are accessible to everyone."

Also Thursday, City Clerk LeighAnn Melancon told commissioners that early voting for the March 5 municipal election begins Tuesday and continues until March 1 in the city clerk's office in City Hall, 321 N. Connelly St.

The voting station at the North Plains Mall, known as the Police Substation, will be open starting Feb. 17.