New Mexico comes first

We were disappointed to find the large Letters to the Editor headline (“Why Meow Wolf ?,” Aug. 13) in your Sunday paper, above Judy Klinger’s letter claiming that the city’s economic development funds would have been better dedicated to startup businesses rather than to Meow Wolf, which, worse, would take the money away to other markets in expansion.

Economic funding isn’t an either-or proposition. There’s funding, public and private, for businesses that are starting out or want to. This is incubation. The Local Economic Development Act funds are distinctly not for this type of riskier opportunity. The LEDA funds are for businesses that have completed the huge task of a strong start, provide financial return, and show every sign of major job creation and greater general economic stimulus if given a boost.

A wise government, like a wise investor, diversifies financing into both kinds of opportunities, or more.

We deeply thank the city and the state of New Mexico, which, after a similarly rigorous process, offered a significantly larger portion of LEDA funds to us. These investments, smaller in comparison to many others, will help to build a large manufacturing and creative headquarters here in Santa Fe, where we must generate 250 higher-salaried jobs in five years or pay the money back to the people — with our building as collateral.

Whatever success we foster in other cities, Santa Fe and New Mexico benefit first and foremost with jobs, public relations and economy. We will honor your investment with tremendous integrity, talent and energy for the benefit of one and all, here in our hometown, and we thank everyone who visits us for your patronage and support.