A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings,

Welcome to 2023!

AREA is in the process of gearing up for an exciting year, putting an aggressive business attraction program together and conducting important national research that will inform our external marketing and brand development efforts over the course of the next several years.

We launched the month with a thank you reception for our broker and development industry partners and regional economic development professionals advisory council members – big thanks to Bow & Arrow Brewing (a 2022 505 Award recipient) for being a tremendously welcoming event location. Our Public Sector Advisory Council recently held its first convening of the year, with representatives from Bernalillo County, the Town of Edgewood, the City of Rio Communities and the Village of Los Lunas enjoying a group tour of the impressive META facility in Los Lunas.

With the legislative session at the halfway mark, we are closely monitoring various bills and offering analysis on potential positive or negative economic impacts of proposed legislation. In concert with the AREA 1.0 Strategic Plan, if New Mexico were to expand at a rate consistent with its five-year pre-pandemic annual average (0.9%), the state would add 39,000 jobs 2023 to 2028.

However, expanding at a rate consistent with the southwestern state average (1.6%), New Mexico would add 72,000 2023 to 2028. To achieve this outcome and reach the goals in our plan as well as those in the State of New Mexico’s economic development strategy, we encourage focus on three key priority topics: 1) structuring and investing in competitive economic development programs and tools; 2) creating mechanisms to encourage private development; and 3) strengthening our human capital development engine.

I hope to see you at our upcoming quarterly event on March 16, which will focus on The Case for Downtown. We have an exciting lineup of guest speakers that will inspire all of us to think about the future of downtown Albuquerque and the critical importance of the urban core to the entire region.

Cheers,

Danielle Casey, CEcD, EDFP

President & CEO

Save the Date: March 16, 2023 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

AREA Quarterly Update and Networking Event

THE CASE FOR DOWNTOWN

First-rate regions start downtown. Downtowns unite people, capital, and aspirations into the closeness that defines community character and strengthens economies. Downtown Albuquerque has the potential to be transformational for our region — we just need a collective vision.

Join us in the space with the best view downtown for networking, an AREA update, a Downtown Best Practices guest panel and a fireside chat about innovative downtown ideas from three local property owners. Reserve your spot now! Our last quarterly event sold out.

March 16, 2023, 3:30–5:30 p.m. 

500 Marquette Ave NW, 15th floor (previously the Petroleum Club)

Tickets include drink vouchers, garage parking and hors d’oeuvres.

Featured speakers

Amanda Elliott

Redevelopment Program Manager

Gilbert, Arizona

Amanda Elliott has served in the Gilbert, Arizona Office of Economic Development since 2012 and leads town-wide redevelopment efforts, including a focus on the downtown Heritage District. Amanda has 19 years of experience in the public and private sector focused on development, revitalization and marketing. Amanda is a founding member for AZDowntowns, and is an International Downtown Association Emerging Leaders fellow.

Brett Roler

SVP, Planning & Development

Downtown Memphis Commission

Brett is an economic developer and downtown advocate committed to building a Downtown Memphis for everyone. Currently, he serves as Senior Vice President at the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC), where he directs the economic development programs of the organization. Brett also leads the DMC’s work around mobility & transportation, entrepreneurship & retail, emerging developers, DEI, public art, and blight remediation.

Save the Date: April 6, 2023 3-5 p.m.

Building a Regional Economy

Join AREA and subject matter experts as we discuss the future workforce New Mexico needs, what it will look like, and how our region can support those demands through our education system.

After the AREA data upload on this issue, we will have several STEM, education and county officials participating in a fireside chat.

April 6, 2023, 3–5 p.m. 

Terri Oritz Teacher Resource Center |  801 Coronado Street NE, Los Lunas

Save the Date: Nov 16, 2023 5-9 p.m.

2023 Annual Dinner and 505 Awards

Mark your calendars for our 2023 Annual Dinner and 505 Awards!

More information to come. You can view the 2022 event recap here.

In Case You Missed It

AREA Job Board Training for Employers

Even though the greater Albuquerque region contains world class talent, it's not always easy for employers and potential employees to connect.

The AREA Job Board is the place to find the high-quality workforce you need.

Watch our webinar to see how to register and post jobs (all for free) and listen to recruiting/jobs professionals give advice and answer questions from employers.

Live.abq.org is a brand new AREA project designed to showcase why the greater Albuquerque area is the best choice for anyone looking for a new place to call home.

This project is the next big step in achieving GOAL 2 — Attract, Retain and Align Talent — of the AREA 1.0 Strategic plan.

AREA provides a high quality showcase of key employers and job opportunities that can be a difference maker when residents are looking at career growth or a newcomer is deciding whether to move to our region.

HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS

AREA Board Member Dale Dekker thinks getting business, government and education aligned is a key to New Mexico's economic future

"Our regional economy has so much promise, it is hard to choose just one. However, we have seen significant interest from large-scale manufacturing clients throughout 2022, with 16% of our pipeline currently made up of renewable energy component manufacturing opportunities, and another 16% in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. I also see tremendous momentum, opportunity and excitement around Downtown revitalization."

AREA is an honoree for Albuquerque Business First's Philanthropy Awards

Each year, Albuquerque Business First recognizes businesses and individuals that give back to the community

NM Film Office qualifies eight more studios

As the New Mexico film industry continues to grow at a record pace, there have been some obstacles to overcome. The big one is studio space.

Thank you to our contributors

Diamond

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)

Platinum

University of New Mexico

Gold

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