A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO | |
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Greetings,
As we launch full steam ahead into 2025, I would like to take a final look back on our successes of 2024.
A personal highlight for me was AREA’s achievement of the status of Accredited Economic Development Organization with the International Economic Development Council – the 79th in the globe and the first in New Mexico – and our receipt of several recognitions, notably receiving the Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year, globally, from the International Economic Development Council.
I am proud to report that more local and state partners are forces with us every day as we lead discussions, research and initiatives related to site readiness, talent attraction, and downtown revitalization. In fact, just this month the City of Belen has become our newest official community partner, underscoring the importance and the impact of regional collaboration.
Site Readiness is SUCH a hot topic across the region and the state, that we are delighted to see that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has included a recommendation for $24 million for site characterization and predevelopment work in her recently released FY26 Executive Budget Recommendation. In addition, the Legislative Finance Committee has included funding for this initiative in its budget as well, and has recommended $35 million.
AREA has recently launched a new Talent Insights Advisory Council and has executed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Central New Mexico Community College for data sharing and collaboration on workforce development initiatives in the region.
This partnership aims to align CNM’s education and workforce training programs with the current and projected needs of the local economy, thereby enhancing learner job placement rates and supporting the region's economic growth.
Finally – did you know that AREA was originally founded back in 1960? That makes us 65 years old! Stay tuned throughout the year for updates and information about the history of our regional economy, and a look forward on what is to come.
Wishing you a prosperous 2025,
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Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP | |
Did you know?
Formerly known as Albuquerque Industrial Development Service, Inc. (AIDS), then Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. (AED), Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) has been a key player in the greater Albuquerque business community since 1960. Founded by Gene Hinkle and local business leaders, it was created as a standalone economic development organization to focus fully on attracting and growing business to the region. Early funding included $75,000 annual pledges for five years and a successful capital campaign raising $1.3 million from 1967–1970. Land donations and strategic real estate transactions further contributed to AREA's financial stability and growth. This would not have happened without Gene!
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Economic Development 101:
Training Session Recap
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If you missed our Economic Development 101 Training Session no January 17, you missed a full day of content on competitive positioning, building a regional economy, economic development attraction, retention and expansion efforts; and key initiatives like marketing and site readiness. Many thanks to the more than 80 online and in person registrants!
See the full presentation recording here: https://youtu.be/jykvLrqHOjw
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Register Today: Quarterly Event | |
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In 2023, AREA convened a Quarterly Investors event on the top floor of 500 Marquette downtown, when it was a complete vacant shell, and invited downtown business improvement district experts from Memphis, TN and Gilbert, AZ to discuss how their urban cores impact their regions, and ways that they have accomplished great transformations. This event will be a return to that same facility but with a very different conversation and perspective: the space is now occupied and furnished by FBT Architects, and we will welcome guest speaker Brad Segal, President of Progressive Urban Management Associates which is assisting a working group of downtown property and business owners in their exploration of the creation of a downtown business improvement district – not even something that was formally under consideration in 2023. Learn more about the great progress that has occurred, and what 2025 has in store!
Opening remarks will be provided by Mayor Tim Keller.
Happy hour & light refreshments will be included in ticket price.
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Documentary Coming Soon:
A History & Vision for Greater Albuquerque's Economy
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For those who attended our 505 Awards, you may have seen a teaser for a documentary we are working on with Comcast about the history of AREA & greater Albuquerque's economic growth. If you couldn't make the ceremony, check it out above.
Special thanks to the participants:
⭐Dale Dekker, Founding Principal of Dekker
⭐Sherman McCorkle, Chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Sandia Science & Technology Park Development Corp
⭐Ron Patel, President of New Mexico United
⭐Danielle Chavez, General Manager at RevelABQ
⭐Debbie Johnson, Vice President with Albuquerque Publishing Co
⭐Kyle Biederwolf, Manager of External Affairs at Comcast
⭐Micah Gray, Advisor with NAI SunVista
⭐Sara Keller, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement at Nusenda Credit Union
⭐Waneta Tuttle, Managing Partner , Tramway Ventures
The full documentary will be coming out in Spring of 2025.
If you any interest in supporting this project, please contact our Marketing email: marketing@abq.org
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Have you checked out Live.abq.org?
Have you seen our microsite targeted for talent attraction? This site was created as one of many digital tools to:
✅Target talent considering relocation to Albuquerque
✅Offer a resource to local employers for use in recruitment of out of state talent
✅Target employers looking to move their team to greater Albuquerque
Check it Out Here
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NEW Investor Opportunity:
Share Your Services Overview
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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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Investors: Bundle Your Event Tickets!
Tired of having to register and make payments for various events and programs throughout the year? Would you rather pay ONE invoice and be done with it? No problem! Fill out our new BUNDLE TICKETS BULK ORDER FORM and we will invoice you all at once for all events requiring paid registration (to cover AREA’s hard cost) for the full year.
https://www.abq.org/contact/bundleticketsform/
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Supporter Spotlight
Thank you to our generous contributors
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Special Thanks to Continuing Supporters for Their Recent Contributions:
Durans Central Pharmacy
Enterprise Builders Corp.
EXHIB-IT!
Goodwill Industries of New Mexico
JB Henderson Construction
Klinger Constructors, LLC
KPMG LLP
KRQE-TV
Main Bank
Peacock Law P.C.
Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
Sunport South Business Park
Western Sky Community Care (Centene)
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IN THE NEWS: HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS | |
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Mayor: Free land for any NM university that helps revitalize Downtown ABQ: If a New Mexico university is willing to work with the city of Albuquerque to revamp Downtown, Mayor Tim Keller is willing to hand over land in the heart of the city, free of charge. Keller made the commitment last week at an Economic Forum meeting in Old Town. He referenced the University of New Mexico specifically but said the offer is open to any local higher education institution willing to take it.
Governor leans in for site readiness- but is it enough to attract investment?: Governor Lujan-Grisham’s FY 2026 budget proposes $24 million for site-readiness and $20 million for LEDA funding to attract businesses and support economic growth in New Mexico. However, experts suggest at least $100 million is needed for short-term site preparation, with long-term investments potentially reaching $1 billion. Site-readiness is a top factor for industrial projects, critical for attracting businesses amidst competition with other states investing significantly more in development-ready sites.
The City of Kingman proudly announces that Bernalillo County, New Mexico, has been awarded a $1.94 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program: Bernalillo County, NM, received a $1.94 million SMART grant to develop the I-40 TradePort Corridor Intelligent Data Platform. This 805-mile logistics project aims to integrate ocean, road, rail, and air cargo for improved efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth across California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
City Council unanimously approves $72M in bonds for semiconductor company: The Albuquerque City Council approved two ordinances to support SolAero Technologies' semiconductor expansion at Sandia Science and Technology Park. The project involves $72.6 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds and $1.75 million in LEDA funds, with a total investment near $100 million. The expansion will modernize manufacturing, retain 350 jobs, and add 70-100 new positions. Construction, set to begin in early 2025, includes a 25,000-square-foot facility addition. The company also secured a $23.9 million CHIPS Act award to enhance production capabilities
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Check out our new videos on Youtube!
Thanks to Studio 519, we have begun to generate a video series. This month we focus on Site Readiness.
Click Here
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CALLING ALL AREA AMBASSADORS:
Apply Today
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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!
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Office Space for Lease in NE Albuquerque
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, NM.
- 19,439 sqft
- Zone NR-BP
- Access to utilities
- SU zoning - City of Rio Rancho
- 12+ offices (several extra large office), 7+ Classrooms, 2 Breakrooms ( 1 staff and 1 student), 1 large lounge, 3+ Bull Pins, 1 Dry Lab, 1 Wet Lab, 1 Locker Room, Cross Parking, Private Restroom Staff and Shared Restroom Students and Fully Sprinkled throughout.
- Approx. 15 minutes to downtown Albuquerque/ International Sunport Airport miles
VIEW THE FULL LISTING
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TITAN INNOVATION CENTER
Albuquerque, Bernallio County, NM.
- 11 acres available in the Sandia Science & Technology Park.
- Ideal location for defense contractors, aerospace, technology and manufacturing.
- Quick access to Kirtland AFB and Sandia National Labs. 2 minutes to I-40 ; 10 minutes to I-25.
VIEW THE FULL LISTING
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Upcoming Partner Workshops & Programs | |
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February 5, 2025, 10 a.m.:
Tools for Attracting and Retaining Talent to Your Company
Please join us for one or all of this series of virtual training programs aimed at reaching a wider audience of companies at one time to provide information on the Job Training Incentive Program, WIOA resources, small business support and assistance through groups like WESST, and the free resources and tools that AREA provides such as its job training board and online ABQSites.com tool.
All webinars are FREE to all businesses in the greater Albuquerque region, with a focus on marketing to those in areas with low household and individual incomes to assist in entrepreneurial growth.
Missed our last two webinars? Find them here: https://www.abq.org/local-business/
Series supported by Wafd.
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AREA's Annual Premier Supporters | |
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Diamond
Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)
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Platinum
University of New Mexico
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Gold
Albuquerque Journal • Bank of Albuquerque
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM • Bradbury Stamm Construction • Comcast • ExxonMobil
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
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Community Partners
City of Albuquerque • City of Belen • Bernalillo County • Town of Edgewood
Village of Los Lunas • City of Rio Communities • Sandoval County
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Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance
201 Third Street NW #1900, Albuquerque, NM 87102
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