Trying to launch a small business and wondering where you could turn for advice?

The city of Santa Fe might be able to help.

With the idea of creating a much more receptive environment for business people, the city has opened a business assistance office that will be staffed by Fabian Trujillo, longtime director of the city's Economic Development Division.

Trujillo will offer help to business people with licensing, registration and other city requirements.

The office won't provide financing among its services, but Trujillo said he would direct those who need start-up funding to such sources of money as WESST and the Small Business Administration.

The state also offers funding, Trujillo said.

The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is excited about the new business ombudsman.

"It's great to see the city working to be more business friendly," said Simon Brackley, president and CEO of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.

"Businesses should feel welcome in city hall and have an active advocate there because it's businesses that generate jobs and revenue to keep this city working," he said.

Nicholas Schiavo, energy specialist and acting director of the Housing and Community Development Department, said a "fair number" of business people would like to see business documents available online.

That would be better than the current practice of either paying for the business license in person at City Hall or mailing it in, Schiavo said.

For more information about business assistance, call 955-6912 or email ftrujillo@santafenm.gov.

The office is off the main entrance to City Hall (Lincoln Avenue), next to the Land Use Department and across from the mayor's office and the cashier.

Sandia Hearing, a family-owned hearing aid business in Santa Fe, is relocating from Santa Fe Place to the San Isidro Plaza, near Lowe's Home Center.

A grand reopening is planned for Friday, Jan 27, from 2 to 7 p.m.

Cliff and Karen Phillips have owned the business since 2003; before that it was also owned by a local family. It's the only locally owned hearing-aid business in Santa Fe, an email from the Phillipses said.

The company has outreach offices in Raton, Los Alamos, Taos, Española and Las Vegas.

For more information call Karen Phillips at 988-1984.

Victoria Murphy of Santa Fe Properties recently was awarded the Graduate Realtor Institute designation by the Realtors Association of New Mexico.

Murphy is a member of RANM and the Santa Fe Association of Realtors.

Murphy was awarded the medal after completing 90 hours of classroom instruction.

Courses are taught by leading real-estate instructors from around the state, a statement from RANM said.