Greetings AREA Contributors,

Happy New Year!

The start of 2026 brings fresh opportunity, bold ideas, and a strong foundation of momentum that continues to position our region for long-term success.

As many of you saw, we began the year with the exciting groundbreaking of Castelion’s hypersonic manufacturing campus, known as Project Ranger, in Sandoval County. This project represents one of the most significant advanced manufacturing investments in our region and reinforces Greater Albuquerque’s growing role in national security, aerospace, and next-generation defense technologies. Moments like this serve as powerful reminders that when vision, preparation, and partnership align, transformational projects become reality.

As we look ahead, AREA is entering the year focused on advancing regional competitiveness, strengthening site readiness, deepening talent alignment, and elevating our national profile with site selectors and corporate decision-makers. These priorities are guiding our work as we build toward the next phase of investment, job creation, and economic resilience.

The months ahead will be active and impactful, with continued engagement through advisory councils, business development efforts, and major convenings that bring our partners together around shared goals. Your leadership, participation, and belief in this mission remain essential to our success.

Thank you for your continued commitment to economic development in Greater Albuquerque. I look forward to seeing you on the road ahead as we continue this important work side by side.

With Gratitude,

Chad Matheson, CEcD

Interim President and CEO

Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance

CASTELION BREAKS GROUND IN SANDOVAL COUNTY

Castelion, a defense technology company, broke ground January 21st on a 1,000-acre manufacturing campus known as Project Ranger in Sandoval County, marking a major milestone for New Mexico’s defense and innovation economy. The $150 million private investment is expected to generate $650 million in economic output over the next decade and create 300 high-wage jobs, with the first building opening this summer and full campus completion by the end of 2026.

The facility will manufacture solid rocket motors, conduct testing, and assemble finished components, leveraging New Mexico’s skilled workforce, infrastructure, and legacy in science and defense. The project was made possible through strong collaboration among state, county, regional, and economic development partners, reinforcing New Mexico’s growing role in national security and advanced manufacturing.

2025 ANNUAL REPORT IS HERE!

The 2025 Annual Report reflects a year of strong momentum for the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and the greater Albuquerque region. Throughout the year, AREA advanced key economic development priorities, including securing major advanced-industry projects, expanding site readiness efforts statewide, supporting business retention and expansion, and increasing national engagement with site selectors and industry leaders. These efforts were driven by deep collaboration with local, state, and private-sector partners and a continued focus on talent, infrastructure, and long-term competitiveness. Together, these initiatives position greater Albuquerque for sustained growth, innovation, and opportunity in the years ahead.

View Report Here

INVESTING IN R&D IS INVESTING IN NEW MEXICO'S FUTURE: OP-ED

New Mexico has always been a place where big ideas take root. From the groundbreaking science at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories to the innovations driving our growing aerospace and energy sectors, our state has a proud history of discovery. If we want to secure a prosperous future for New Mexico, one filled with high-paying jobs, thriving businesses, and opportunity for generations to come, we must double down on an what we do best: research and development....

Full Article

Invest in greater Albuquerque's future!

AREA is the regional responder to 100 or more new prospective leads and projects as well as expanding local businesses every year that are poised to make significant

investments in the market.

We have created a new online portal for our contributors and partners to upload Statement of Qualifications materials by category that are then shared in our unique, secure online proposal system with ALL client proposals so they can easily identify local providers, from general contractors, to accounting, to healthcare, and everything in between. Take advantage of this special feature!

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Check out our Local Business support page

INVESTOR THANK YOUS!

New Mexico Gas

Gold

Member since 2009

Gridworks

Gold

Member since 2017

Garrett Development Corp

Silver

Member since 2014

Special Thanks to Continuing Supporters for Their Recent Contributions:

ARCO

Colliers International Albuquerque

Doc Savage Supply

HB Construction, Inc.

Goodman Realty Group

Kairos Power

Kaufman Fire Protection Systems, Inc.

Klinger Constructors, LLC

Manpower of New Mexico

Miller Bonded, Inc.

NAI Sun Vista

Peacock Law P.C.

Sunflower Bank First National 1870

Sunny505

W.K. Kellogg Foundation

AREA's Annual Premier Supporters

Diamond

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)

Platinum

University of New Mexico

Gold

Albuquerque Journal • Bank of Albuquerque

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM • Bradbury Stamm Construction • Comcast

FRENCH Funerals & Cremations • Gridworks • Heritage Real Estate Company • Huning, LLC • Intel • Jaynes Construction • NAI Sun Vista • New Mexico Gas Company • Nusenda Credit Union

Presbyterian Health Services • Summit Electric Supply Co.

Community Partners

City of Albuquerque • City of Belen • Bernalillo County • Town of Edgewood

Village of Los Lunas • City of Rio Communities • Sandoval County • Torrance County

BE AN AREA AMBASSADOR!

Who are AREA Ambassadors?

AREA Ambassadors are goodwill representatives of the organization, aligned with its mission. They champion AREA’s cause of growing the economy of the greater Albuquerque region. Ambassadors are educated in economic development initiatives, strategies and priorities through workshops and forums. Through these programs, Ambassadors are able to speak firsthand of the work of AREA and can promote the greater Albuquerque area through an economic lens.

FIND OUT IF YOU MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, AND APPLY TO SERVE TODAY!