State of New Mexico Commission for the Blind

Business Enterprise Program

The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) provides employment oppor-tunities for blind individuals who wish to operate food service facilities. The BEP has food establishments from small stands, to vending routes, to full military cafeterias at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia. The BEP provides the public and government employees with quality food service that is conveniently located within government buildings. Thirty-four blind persons participated in the BEP program and vendor earnings were $4,628,863, contributing $276,677 in gross receipt taxes to the state.

“Commission Helps Support National Defense”

The Commission operates the Thunderbird Inn and Dining Facility at Kirtland Air Force Base. The operator distinguished himself by again winning the highly prestigious John L. Hennessy award for the "international single-facility category." The Hennessy Award is presented to installations with the best food service programs in the Air Force. Robert Vick employs 35 persons with disabilities in his facility.

“Commission Helps Support Homeland Security”

The Commission provides food services at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia. The FLETC is responsible for the training of border patrol officers and federal marshals, as well as the provision of firearms training for pilots.