Las Cruces businesses now offering incentives to attract new workers for hire

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- With New Mexico's unemployment rate sitting right above 8%, businesses across Las Cruces are struggling to hire new employees. Dona Ana County's move to the Turquoise level on the state's pandemic reopening map allows restaurants to stay open later and add more capacity to their dining rooms. However, restaurants like Pecan Grill are struggling to hire kitchen and front-of-house staff in order to expand hours and meet client demands.

A sign posted in front of the restaurant's building is offering a $100 sign-on bonus as an incentive for prospective applicants.

Service manager Daniel Neal explained, "If we have more staff theY obviously will have more time to spend with tables. Give them the service that you expect in the hospitality industry."

Meanwhile, Executive Chef Ryan Lowell wants those who apply to have the skills they need for the business to function properly.

“I want strong applicants. I want those people who went to culinary school. I want those people who have had that experience in the restaurant business," said Lowell.

These incentives lead to the growing questions of how the labor market is doing as we see a turn in the pandemic. Extended federal unemployment benefits are set to expire in August in New Mexico.

Across state lines, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made a move to end those benefits beginning next month in hopes of getting more people working than staying on unemployment.

The debate over jobs and unemployment comes amid a new state report that indicates New Mexico has more than likely overpaid unemployment insurance benefits by an estimated $250 million during the pandemic.

The restaurant expects to hire a handful of employees, meaning they could shell out about $1,000 just to hire new employees. A risk Neal says they're willing to take.

"The people we have here want to keep these doors open, they don’t want our business to shutdown," Neal said.

Management believes once those extended federal unemployment benefits expire, they'll see an influx in applicants.