Cassandra Morrison, a real-estate leader with Real Broker, emphasized the importance of prioritizing and strengthening small businesses at the state level to maintain vibrant communities and prevent residents from seeking opportunities elsewhere. Morrison's comments were made during a podcast.
"The one thing I would change in New Mexico to improve business is leadership at the state level that supports small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy, rather than focusing on government-centric policies," said Morrison, according to YouTube. "Better leaders would help small businesses thrive instead of closing, addressing issues like high insurance rates, boarded-up storefronts, and people leaving the state for better opportunities. We need business-minded leaders who inspire thriving communities in every city, not just places like Rio Rancho, which is currently outperforming Albuquerque."
Business owners in New Mexico have reported that state policy debates increasingly focus on the costs associated with regulation, insurance, and workforce mandates. This is occurring even as leaders highlight strong oil and gas revenue surpluses and infrastructure spending. According to the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 policy agenda, trade groups support expanding incentive programs like the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA). However, they warn that proposals for paid family-and-medical leave, higher litigation risks, and rising energy costs could threaten the viability of small businesses.
Between December 2019 and December 2021, nearly 1,100 full-service restaurants in New Mexico—about 18% of the sector statewide—closed down due to pandemic-driven challenges that particularly affected small businesses. Reporting by KOAT-TV, citing data from the New Mexico Restaurant Association based on gross-receipts tax data, highlights the ongoing vulnerability of hospitality firms.
From 2020 to 2024, Rio Rancho experienced an approximate population growth of 8.1%, increasing from 104,047 to 112,524 residents. In contrast, Albuquerque saw a slight decrease in population from 564,559 to 560,326 over the same period. According to a report by the Mid-Region Council of Governments, this shift suggests increased suburban competitiveness for business location and expansion.
Morrison is a real-estate professional in New Mexico serving as the qualifying broker for Real Broker LLC in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. An industry profile notes she is a retired sergeant from the Albuquerque Police Department with a degree in business administration. She holds designations such as Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), leading instruction for other real-estate professionals in New Mexico.
Real Broker LLC is a cloud-based residential real-estate brokerage founded in 2014 with headquarters in Toronto and New York City. It is licensed in over 45 U.S. states and several Canadian provinces. By 2022, it supported more than 9,000 agents and generated approximately $382 million in revenue. According to its annual report for that year, Real Broker emphasizes high agent commission splits, revenue-sharing models, and integrated title/mortgage services as part of its disruptive approach within national markets including New Mexico.
