A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO | | |
Greetings,
In April, we held an exciting event hosted by FBT Architects, focused on advances in downtown revitalization discussions and efforts and plans underway by a group of downtown property owners to create a Business Improvement District. They are now in their petition collection phase of the effort - for more information or to get involved, please visit www.abq.org/downtownbid.
But in early May, we celebrated something near and dear to economic developers worldwide: Economic Development Week! we promoted our part in the celebration with a PRESS RELEASE and were also featured in the Albuquerque Journal along with Cabinet Secretary Black who joined us in the fun! Many thank again for your support which makes all this possible.
Just last week, we unveiled a very exciting short documentary film that has now been officially released to the public. More information and access to the video, courtesy of our supporters at Comcast,can be found below.
International efforts are expanding in the region with the ribbon cutting celebration this week for NMexus, our state's newest business accelerator. This initiative, recently announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, marks a major milestone in New Mexico’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and attracting foreign investment. The NMEXUS Center will serve as a hub for international business development and innovation in the state. AREA supported this expansion by assisting in tours and presentations to the center’s new leadership during their final market exploration, and also in their initial site search and regional proposal submission.
We are nearing in on the official start to summer with graduation activities in full swing with Memorial Day, a day for remembrance and reflection on the sacrifices of those who have died in service to our country, occurring next Monday. In a community such as greater Albuquerque that has a deep history of military service and a key role as a leader in national defense innovation, it is a particularly important day of reflection. I hope that you all will have the opportunity to visit a cemetery or memorial, give time as a volunteer, or attend a Memorial Day event.
Onward,
| | Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP | | Documentary on greater Albuquerque's Past, Present - and Future | | |
Last week, we held a special preview screening of ‘The Evolution and Future Path of Greater Albuquerque’s Economy’ made possible by Comcast and Revel Entertainment.
The driving purpose of this video is to remind us about the roots of the New Mexico economy and some of the tremendous innovation and achievements that have happened here over the past century and create a sense of urgency and a can-do perspective on our shared vision and goals for our economic future.
Greater Albuquerque is a region with a rich economic history, evolving from agrarian roots to a center for top secret research and design for the atomic bomb and now a top U.S. filmmaking location and magnet for renewable energy investment. AREA’s regional strategic plan, AREA 1.0, and the New Mexico economic development department’s updated statewide strategic plan – Empower and Collaborate: New Mexico’s Economic Path Forward - have mapped a path to modernize our industry recruitment, infrastructure, and regulations to diversify the economy and break past factors holding us back like population stagnation, lack of ready sites and business climate. AREA’s own recent efforts have seen strong success through new partnerships with government and other nonprofit partners around the region and the state.
Help us spread the word (yourself, or by forwarding to your marketing team) on the strategic business advantages of the greater Albuquerque region and recommendations for improving our economic outlook – sign up here to officially ‘lend your name’ to the list of supporting partners, https://www.abq.org/strategicplan/action/ and promote the documentary and its call to action.
| | New Mexico Launches NMexus Accelerator To Boost FDI | | Photo courtesy of SelectUSA | | |
New Mexico has launched the NMexus Center, a first-of-its-kind global business accelerator aimed at boosting foreign direct investment. Announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the center will help international companies expand into the U.S. through New Mexico.
Located in Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol innovation district, the NMexus Center will support up to 40 companies annually, creating an estimated 1,500 jobs and generating over $400 million in economic impact over five years. The first cohort includes firms from India and Oman.
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Q1 2025 REPORT
Check out our flipbook interactive version!
| | | | Our CBRE & NAI SunVista reports reveal event is ONE MONTH AWAY! | | |
Please join us for a combined Investors Luncheon event on June 12, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites! We will be revealing BOTH the latest CBRE Talent & Industry report AND the NAI SunVista Industry Report!
More details to come.
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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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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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Supporter Spotlight
Thank you to our generous contributors
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AON
SLIVER Investor
Since 1997
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Special Thanks to Continuing Supporters for Their Recent Contributions:
ARI Graphix & Signs, Albuquerque Reprographics Inc
Chalmers Ford
Enterprise Bank & Trust
Johnson Commercial Real Estate
Manpower of New Mexico
| | IN THE NEWS: HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS | | |
State in Spotlight For Economic Development Week: Economic Development Week (May 12–16), led by the International Economic Development Council, highlights the importance of investing in businesses and communities. New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rob Black emphasized that true development creates opportunity and hope. Despite challenges like limited shovel-ready land, recent laws aim to improve readiness. Local leader Danielle Casey and AREA are promoting awareness, with events like a documentary screening in Albuquerque. The week celebrates progress and connects New Mexico to global opportunities.
Opportunity Zones could get a big makeover under tax proposal: New Mexico has launched the NMexus Center, a first-of-its-kind global business accelerator aimed at boosting foreign direct investment. Announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham at the SelectUSA Investment Summit, the center will help international companies expand into the U.S. through New Mexico.
Located in Albuquerque’s Mesa del Sol innovation district, the NMexus Center will support up to 40 companies annually, creating an estimated 1,500 jobs and generating over $400 million in economic impact over five years. The first cohort includes firms from India and Oman
Governors Leading Economic Development: Governors act as top economic ambassadors for their states, promoting business-friendly policies and attracting international investment. At the SelectUSA Investment Summit, several governors announced major investments, including New Mexico's Governor Michelle Lujhan Grisham announcing NM's $400M global accelerator and Oklahoma’s $300M ammunition facility. They also emphasized the importance of AI and semiconductor development.
New Mexico on the Move: New Mexico passed SB 169 to boost business growth by preparing key development sites with a $24 million fund. Meanwhile, Roswell will host the National Championship Air Races in 2025, highlighting its strong aviation history and boosting tourism and local economy
Why Doesn't downtown Albuquerque Build Up?: Downtown Albuquerque aims for vertical growth but faces major hurdles, including high costs, limited funding, and low demand. While there are no zoning height limits, cultural preferences and a lack of large companies make skyscrapers unlikely for now. Developers like Geltmore remain hopeful, planning future high-rise projects if market conditions improve. Most expect mid-rise buildings in the near term, but advocates say bold vision and investment could transform the skyline.
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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!
| | | FREE Job Posting Tool for Employers | | EMPLOYERS....use our free job listing tool to help recruit new talent! job listings will aslo be shared on our social media = free advertising for you! | | Upcoming Partner Workshops & Programs | | |
Are you hiring and looking for qualified candidates? We are excited to invite you to participate in the 2nd Annual Village of Los Lunas Job Fair & Career Expo, a job and community resource fair for Bernalillo, Socorro, and Valencia counties.
Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Daniel Fernandez Recreation Center, 1103 HWY 314 SW, Los Lunas, NM 87031
This exciting hiring event is led in partnership with America's Job Center (formerly named New Mexico Workforce Connection), UNM Valencia, Village of Los Lunas, and the Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico.
This Career Expo will connect employers with a diverse pool of talent within Bernalillo, Socorro and Valencia counties . With plans for over 50 employers and 10 resource organizations to attend, this is an excellent opportunity to meet potential candidates and fill your open positions.
Registration is open and is on a first come, first served basis.
Please see the attached flyer. Register here: https://bit.ly/4d4xLug
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SCORE upcoming FREE webinars for business:
| | AREA's Annual Premier Supporters | | |
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
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 •Torrance County
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Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance
201 Third Street NW #1900, Albuquerque, NM 87102
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