August 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO

Greetings, AREA Contributors,


Momentum is building in greater Albuquerque — and together, we are driving it forward. Thanks to your contributions, AREA is delivering real results by advancing site readiness across the region, strengthening our position as a hub for advanced industries and talent, and raising national visibility for greater Albuquerque.


Now, we are setting the stage for the region's next strategic plan — a plan that will add new insight to economic priorities, partnerships, and opportunities that will shape our region for years to come.


As we continue to build, your engagement is essential in the process, and we have several upcoming opportunities for you to lean in.


AREA Regional Town Hall – September 18 from 8-10 am

Join fellow contributors, community leaders, and partners for a candid, forward-focused discussion that will directly inform our next strategic plan. This is your chance to share insights, shape priorities, and ensure your voice is part of defining the next chapter of growth opportunity in greater Albuquerque.


Fall Site Consultant Familiarization Tour – October 8–10

AREA will host a group of national site selection consultants to showcase greater Albuquerque’s competitive strengths. These tours are among the most effective ways to put our region on the short list for future projects. To help welcome our guests, register for our Center Stage gathering at Winrock Town Center on October 8th, invitation linked below!


65th Annual Dinner & 505 Awards – November 13

A milestone celebration of AREA’s 65 years of impact. Together, we’ll honor the people, companies, and projects shaping our economy, while also highlighting the partnerships and investments that are defining our future. This evening is a chance to celebrate progress, deepen relationships, and build excitement for what comes next.


Your voice matters. Your presence matters. Register today and be part of the conversations and celebrations that will define AREA’s next chapter and accelerate growth across greater Albuquerque.


Chad Matheson, CEcD

AREA INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO CHAD MATHESON EARNS CECD CREDENTIAL!

 

We are proud to announce that Chad Matheson, Interim President & CEO, has earned the prestigious Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This nationally recognized certification is a hallmark of excellence within the economic development profession and signifies the highest level of competency and expertise in the field.


“Achieving the CEcD credential has been a long-term professional goal and a meaningful milestone for me,” said Matheson. “This certification underscores AREA’s unwavering dedication to providing world-class service and leadership for the Albuquerque region’s growth and competitiveness. I am proud to bring this additional level of expertise to our team, partners, and contributors."

 

JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER FOR OUR NEXT EVENT!


AREA’s September Town Hall Breakfast, a premier gathering for our investors and community members. This year’s Town Hall breakfast will give an opportunity for our community stakeholders to discuss the path forward and focus for AREA in the coming year! 


We are pleased to announce facilitators of our Town Hall:  Alex Pearlstein & Matt DeVeau of Broad Ripple!


The Broad Ripple Strategies team has helped more than 60 clients develop 90+ strategies for community and economic development, talent and workforce sustainability, and quality of place. From this work, we know there is no one-size-fits-all solution for positive change. The BRS approach begins with understanding the needs and goals of your community or organization and designing a customized engagement that is right for you.


Broad Ripple Strategies represents nearly 30 years of experience crafting community and economic development strategies that build consensus, drive investment, and get results. After many years at nationally prominent firms, our principals decided the time was right to start a company that reflects our values and perspectives on what works in community and economic development.


We believe that “impactful strategies create broad ripples.” Instead of boilerplate plans overloaded with initiatives that are unlikely to be implemented, we identify the catalytic projects and programs that lead to big impacts in communities and organizations. Rather than a one-size-fits-all process, we customize our approach to meet the needs and goals of each client. And we create strategies for action, not for shelves.


YOU'RE INVITED!

AREA's Fall FAM Tour presents:

Site Readiness and The Regional Value Proposition of greater Albuquerque.

Join us for a special session during AREA’s Familiarization Tour.


During this event, we'll be joined by Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary for Economic Development who will share his insight to strategic investments in New Mexico.


This event will also include a fireside chat with our guests - national site consultants - who will share their insights on what is driving business decisions

and location strategy in today's economic environment.

AREA UPDATES

 

OUR Q2 REPORT IS OUT


Check out what AREA has been up to the past 3 months in an interactive format with videos and clickable links.


Check out two collaborative reports we recently unveiled! One with CBRE Albuquerque...and the other with NAI SunVista

 
 
 

NEW Investor Opportunity:

Share Your Services Overview

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!

Supporter Spotlight

Thank you to our generous contributors

 
 

Tricore Reference Lab

Silver Investor

Since 2006

Century Sign Builders

Bronze Investor

Since 2005

UNM Health System

Silver Investor

Since 2017

Special Thanks to Continuing Supporters for Their Recent Contributions:


Crowne Plaza Albuquerque

Fidelity Investments

Gap, Inc.

Kaufman Fire Protection Systems, Inc.

New Mexico Bank & Trust

Oso Grande Technologies, Inc.

REDW LLC


IN THE NEWS: HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS

Bernalillo County to consider over $400 million in economic development projects Tuesday:

Bernalillo County commissioners are advancing over $400 million in projects to boost jobs, housing, and innovation. Plans include a $225M renewable energy storage facility supporting New Mexico’s zero-carbon goals, a $46M Uptown Connect development adding 239 apartments (most affordable) plus commercial space, and an extension for the $186M Mesa Film Studios project. Additional items included public art purchases, nuisance abatements, and the 2024 Fire & Rescue Annual Report.



 

CALLING ALL AREA AMBASSADORS:

Apply Today

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!

FEATURED PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH:

Find all of these and more at ABQSites.com

 

🏢Industrial Land available near major Albuquerque highway🏢


VIEW FULL LISTING

🏢Quail Ranch - Vacant land available🏢


VIEW FULL LISTING

 

Upcoming Partner Workshops & Programs

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. • Titan Development

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

 
 

Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance

201 Third Street NW #1900, Albuquerque, NM 87102

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