Los Alamos National Laboratory spent some $916 million at New Mexico businesses in fiscal year 2022 that ended Sept. 30 , along with another $1.53 billion on salaries of 14,054 lab employees, the lab said in a recent economic impact report.

Broken down, $613.5 million was spent at New Mexico small businesses, though that is defined as up to 500 employees. New Mexico has barely 100 private businesses with more than 500 employees when not counting government or schools.

LANL’s New Mexico Small Business Assistance program collaborated with 291 businesses on projects that attracted $34.1 million in new financing and created or retained 292 jobs. The program links entrepreneurs with technology challenges and LANL scientists to find solutions.