September 2025

A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT & CEO

Greetings, AREA Contributors,

As the summer winds down and we transition into cooler temperatures, we’ve been reflecting on the tremendous momentum shaping AREA and the greater Albuquerque region. This season has brought a wave of exciting announcements that reinforce the strength of our community and the power of partnership.

Last week, Pacific Fusion announced their decision to establish a $1 billion research and manufacturing campus in Mesa del Sol. This is a transformational win that puts greater Albuquerque on the global stage for next generation energy research and development. In addition, Redwire continues to expand its footprint here, showcasing the depth of our aerospace and defense cluster. Quantinuum showcased its brand-new facility with an open house that ran alongside the IEEE Quantum Conference, hosted in downtown Albuquerque. These achievements are not isolated and are the result of the collective leadership you, our partners, and contributors, bring to AREA’s mission every day.

We also gathered recently for an energizing Town Hall and Board Retreat. Your insights, questions, and bold ideas are helping to guide the important work we’re undertaking to shape the future of long-term competitiveness of our region.

This month we proudly announced the recipients of our 505 Awards. These honorees represent the best of our business and community leadership. Please take a moment to view the full list and join us as we celebrate them in person at AREA’s Annual Dinner on November 13, a night I promise will inspire and energize us all.

Looking ahead, October brings another Site Consultant Familiarization Tour, a unique opportunity to showcase Greater Albuquerque to national decision-makers. I hope you’ll also join us at our investor event at Winrock Town Center, where we’ll continue building the relationships that drive new opportunities for our community.

As AREA charts its path toward 2026 initiatives, I encourage you to keep leaning in. Step up, speak out, and stay engaged. Together, we’re not just talking about growth, we’re creating it. Thank you for being a part of this momentum and for helping us build a stronger, more dynamic regional economy.

Chad Matheson, CEcD

Pacific Fusion signed an MOU with the New Mexico Economic Development Department to explore building a $1 billion R&D facility in Albuquerque, potentially creating 200+ long-term jobs plus hundreds of construction roles. The Demonstration System would advance a key fusion milestone—producing more energy than consumed—paving the way for carbon-free electricity.

Backed by $900M in private investment, Pacific Fusion chose New Mexico for its physics legacy at Sandia National Labs, strong talent pool, and clean-tech ecosystem. Leaders at the state, city, and AREA highlighted the project as a transformative step for clean energy, job creation, and positioning Albuquerque as a hub for fusion innovation.

We had an engaging and insightful Town Hall and Board Retreat on Thursday, September 18th. Guest facilitators Alex Pearlstein and Matt DeVeau of Broad Ripple Strategies shared lessons from cities like Des Moines, IA and Spartanburg, SC on how they’ve built thriving downtown communities. We were also joined by Mayor Tim Keller during the Board Retreat, who provided updates on ongoing initiatives in Albuquerque’s downtown.

A big thank you to everyone who spoke, participated, and contributed during the breakout discussions. While we’ve made meaningful progress, there is still more work ahead. We look forward to turning the insights from these sessions into action.

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.

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

Presbyterian

Gold Investor

Since 2000

Huning, LLC.

Gold Investor

Since 1998

Manpower of New Mexico

Silver Investor

Since 2002

Sandia National Laboratories

Silver Investor

Since 1998

Klinger Constructors, LLC.

Silver Investor

Since 1991

Special Thanks to Continuing Supporters for Their Recent Contributions:

Adelante Enterprises

Albuquerque Business First

Geltmore, LLC

Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk, P.A

Sandia Science and Technology Park Development Corporation

UNM Anderson School of Management

WaFd Bank

Redwire Establishes Rapid Capabilities Facility in Albuquerque to Advance Space-Based Defense Systems : Redwire Corporation has opened its new 15,000 sq. ft. Firestone Rapid Capabilities Facility (FRCF) in Albuquerque to advance space-based defense systems. The site will support spacecraft subsystems, missile defense, launch and ground support, and advanced testing, including work under a $45M, five-year AFRL contract.

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

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