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QUARTERLY REFLECTION
DANIELLE
CASEY, CECD, E
President & CEO
For nearly five years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a powerful coalition of nearly 200 investors, public sector and nonprofit partners, ambassadors and Advisory Council members, and a Board of Directors who believe in the economic potential of the greater Albuquerque region. Together, we have built something truly special. From launching a bold strategic plan and modernizing our bylaws, to converting our nonprofit status, securing sustainable public-private partnerships, and rebranding the organization to better reflect its mission - we have transformed AREA into a more strategic, resilient, and high-impact organization. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
In the second quarter of 2025, AREA executed on some significant efforts, including the creation of a stunning documentary, the Evolution and Future Path of the Greater Albuquerque Economy. We executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Spaceport America to advance collaboration in business attraction across the state, we unveiled our now three time award winning Talent Profile Report with our partners at CBRE, and our team represented the region and state at Bio International as well as Space Symposium trade shows, and engaged with high profile decision makers at the Site Selectors Guild Summer Summit. We also added 22 new projects to our pipeline, and responded to 33 new leads. These accomplishments, among so many others, are a testament to the extraordinary work of the AREA staff and the unwavering support of our investor community.
As I prepare to transition from my role as President & CEO of AREA, I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of you - our incredible investors, community leaders, and partners. I have the utmost confidence in the future of AREA with Chad Matheson, our Senior Vice President, serving as Interim President & CEO effective August 4. Chad has been an essential part of our leadership team since joining us nearly four years ago. As a skilled career economic development professional, his steady, strategic guidance and deep knowledge of the organization and its goals will serve AREA well in this next phase. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Albuquerque has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I will forever be grateful for your trust, your collaboration, and your commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant economy for this region. And I will be watching, and cheering you on!
With Gratitude,
Did you know? AREA is 65 years young!
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!
AREA LEADS NM DELEGATION AT BIO INTERNATIONAL
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) led New Mexico’s statewide delegation at the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston from June 16-19, 2025, making over 470 strategic connections with bioscience companies, venture capital firms, and innovation partners. The team identified eight qualified leads for potential bioscience investment and expansion opportunities in New Mexico.
This effort was supported by key partners including the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the New Mexico Bioscience Authority, the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and many others, demonstrating the strength of New Mexico’s collaborative bioscience ecosystem.
New Mexico continues to position itself as a competitive and growing hub for bioscience innovation, supported by strong research assets, workforce pipelines, and a favorable business climate. Learn more: https://www.abq.org/bio/
DOCUMENTARY ON GREATER ALBUQUERQUE ECONOMY
In May, 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.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
AREA & SPACEPORT AMERICA SIGN MOU
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) and Spaceport America signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 13, 2025, establishing a strategic partnership to boost New Mexico’s leadership in the commercial space industry This collaboration aims to drive job creation, capital investment, and economic development in the Albuquerque region and beyond By combining AREA’s economic expertise with Spaceport America’s unique infrastructure and success in aerospace innovation, the alliance will support growth in research, development, manufacturing, and high-tech services. Joint efforts will focus on marketing, business development, and supportive policy to expand the region’s role in the rapidly growing space sector
Read the full press release here
AREA WINS AWARD FOR TALENT & INDUSTRY REPORT
The C2ER + LMI Institute awards honor outstanding research initiatives that drive progress in community, economic, and workforce development at local, regional, and state levels These awards spotlight projects that exemplify innovation, methodological strength, and practical application, demonstrating how data-informed insights can shape policy, support strategic planning, and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities nationwide AREA and CBRE Albuquerque’s 2024 Talent & Industry Profile Report earned the Business Development Award, recognizing efforts that have successfully fostered business growth and contributed to economic and workforce advancement
Spring 2025 Site Consultant Familiarization Tour
In April 2025, the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) hosted four nationally recognized site selection consultants for a multi-day visit aimed at showcasing the region’s economic momentum. The visit highlighted strategic development sites, emerging industry sectors, and regional infrastructure assets, while also facilitating direct engagement with regional business, education, and government leaders. The trip provided a valuable platform to elevate the greater Albuquerque region’s competitiveness and deepen relationships with key influencers in national business investment decisions.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
APRIL QUARTERLY INVESTORS EVENT
On April 3, 2025, AREA hosted its Spring Quarterly Investors Luncheon with a focus on downtown revitalization efforts. This event marked a continued commitment to reinvigorating the heart of the region, building on momentum that began in March 2023 when AREA first convened regional partners, civic leaders, and business stakeholders for the formal launch of the initiative. That original kickoff event—also hosted by AREA—helped catalyze a collaborative push to reimagine the future of downtown Albuquerque.
The April 2025 event featured a keynote presentation from Brad Segal, President of Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA), whose firm is currently supporting the potential formation of a downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in Albuquerque. Segal’s remarks highlighted national trends, best practices, and the transformative economic and social benefits that BIDs have brought to peer cities.
In addition to Segal, the event featured perspectives from Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, AREA President & CEO Danielle Casey, District 2 City Councilor Joaquin Baca, and leadership from FBT Architects—each of whom emphasized the importance of continued public-private collaboration, investment in place, and bold vision to drive long-term growth.
JUNE QUARTERLY INVESTORS LUNCHEON
In June, an event celebrating the release of our 2025 reports on regional economic strengths: the Greater Albuquerque Talent Profile (with CBRE) and the Industrial Market Profile (with NAI SunVista) brought speakers Alex Pulliam (NAI SunVista Report), Jim Chynoweth (CBRE report); Panel Moderator: Tania Armenta (Visit Albuquerque), Panelists: Michelle Coons (WaFd Bank), Billy Gupton (Merrill Lynch), and Adam Silverman, Geltmore, LLC together for vibrant dialogue around greater Albuquerque’s role in forward-thinking economic development iinitiatives.
The CBRE Talent Profile features regional workforce data, incentives, cost of living, industry overviews, and testimonials from companies like Pajarito Powder and Sandia National Labs. Recognized with three national and state-level awards, it provides a comprehensive, interactive snapshot of the area's business environment. Download it here.
The Industrial Market Profile, rooted in NAI SunVista’s quarterly data, offers insights on commercial real estate trends like vacancy and lease rates, while AREA contributes broader context on infrastructure and regional cost comparisons. Download it here
GOAL 1: ESTABLISH NATIONAL IDENTITY AS A LEADING LOCATION FOR BUSINESS
Build the national profile of the greater Albuquerque region by strategically marketing the area’s advantages as a business location; aggressively pursue high impact business investors and aid their entrance into the region; build strength through diversity of industries
Space Symposium
AREA wrapped an incredible week at the Space Symposium representing the region alongside amazing partners from New Mexico Partnership, NewSpace Nexus, and Spaceport America — and joined by New Mexico’s Lieutenant Governor. Together, we showcased why New Mexico is the place to be for aerospace innovation, from satellite launches to national defense assets and everything in between. We had over 75 connections and five potential leads.
BIO International
AREA led New Mexico’s statewide delegation at the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston, making over 470 strategic connections with bioscience companies, venture capital firms, and innovation partners. The team identified eleven qualified leads for potential bioscience investment and expansion opportunities in New Mexico.
Site Selectors Guild Summer Summit
AREA joined a select group of economic development organizations and site selectors for the Summer Summit in Santa Fe. The one-day event highlighted key legislative changes like the “Big Beautiful Bill” and current market trends impacting economic development in New Mexico. We were proud to share a piece of New Mexico with visiting site selectors through special gift boxes, showcasing the culture and vibrancy of our region.
2. Supporting Existing Business Retention & Expansion
Business Retention and Expansion visits have achieved record numbers closing out the fiscal year with 28 visits to local companies touching all six of our focus industry sectors. From those 28 visits, 19 were converted into projects within the AREA project pipeline.
1. Market the Region to Recruit Growth Businesses
DIGTAL MARKETING & MEDIA METRICS
KRQE Morning Show Appearances
Check out KRQE interviews, podcasts and all videos on the AREA YouTube Channel
481,137
AREA IN THE NEWS
April
AREA Showcases Albuquerque’s Business Advantages at Space Symposium in Colorado Springs
May
AREA Celebrates Economic Development Week with Special Documentary Screening Event AREA Short Documentary Highlights the Region’s Economic History and Future Opportunities
June
New Mexico Delegation to Promote the State’s Bioscience Industry at BIO International Convention Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and Spaceport America Join Forces Through a Collaborative MOU
AREA and Local Brokerage Partners Unveil Joint Research and Data Reports on the greater Albuquerque Market
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Business Expansion Highlight
In May 2025, the Governor of New Mexico, Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham, announced the launch of NMexus™ and the NMexus Center, a transformative new initiative at the heart of New Mexico, designed to accelerate global companies' entry and expansion into the United States The Center is purpose-built to equip international companies with the infrastructure, resources, and hands-on support required to successfully enter and scale in the US market
GOAL 2: ATTRACT, RETAIN, AND ALIGN TALENT
Convene key partners throughout the region, identify talent gaps and implement and catalyze talent attraction and retention solutions; improve connections between the jobs we do have with the talent we have
1. Promote the Region to Attract & Retain Talent
In Q2 we had a total of four LinkedIn ad placements: one targeted to talent attraction & our live.abq.org website; one targeting talent & industry from the aerospace sector; two targeted towards national & international bioscience talent & industry. Total impressions = 481,137, with a .58% click-through rate.
AREA partnered with the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Job Training Incentive Program team to interview newly relocated employees to the region (see video on right), recording three interviews in Q2, with more planned. These initiatives are part of our broader talent attraction campaign.
2. Identity Gaps & Forecast Needs
The Talent Insights Advisory convened in June. Those in attendance set a clear path for data analysis alignment with certificate and degree completions and competencies for effective talent development strategies. In addition the advisory council identified several regional training and education provider entities to invite to co-sign a data sharing memorandum of understanding with AREA.
3. Support Regional Talent Development
AREA celebrated ABB Installation Technologies’ $40 million, 90,000 sq. ft. facility expansion focused on manufacturing Elastimold cable accessories and Fisher Pierce circuit indicators.
Collaborated with Vets in Tech by attending the NM Chapter Employer Summit, Introduced ViT representative to three partner employers and our education partners to collaborate about incorporating Veterans enrolled in the program connections to recruiters and training programs aligned with recruitment.
In May, AREA’s Existing Business and Workforce Engagement Manager attended the City of Albuquerque & American Job Center Business Resource Fair.
Jose Valencia, Composites Production Supervisor
GOAL 3: BREAK DOWN BARRIERS TO REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
AREA will work to bring together the regional network of economic development professionals for the benefit of the region, promote the expansion of infrastructure, and support solutions to challenges affecting the business climate.
1. Collaborate with Regional Partners
Over the course of Q2 2025, AREA convened six advisory council meetings to advance regional collaboration and strategic initiatives. Notably, the Public Sector Advisory Council met on-site at the new Array Technologies facility in Bernalillo County, offering members a first-hand look at one of the region’s newest success stories in advanced manufacturing. The Talent Insights Advisory Council continued its work to align greater Albuquerque’s talent ecosystem, with a focus on scaling talent attraction strategies and closing workforce gaps across high-demand sectors.
AREA also proudly welcomed Torrance County as its newest public sector partner this quarter, further expanding the organization's regional reach and strengthening its publicprivate partnership model.
2. Foster A Strong Business Climate
In May 2025, AREA welcomed John Brooks, Chief of Programs at the New Mexico Finance Authority, to its Board of Directors meeting. Brooks provided an in-depth overview of the financing structure and public-sector collaboration that supported the recent Array Technologies expansion in Bernalillo County. His insights highlighted how strategic partnerships can unlock major investments and job creation opportunities in the region.
Also during Q2, AREA played a key facilitative role in advancing downtown revitalization efforts by supporting the initial petition signing for the proposed Downtown Albuquerque Business Improvement District (BID). This marks a significant milestone in the multi-agency effort to formalize a BID, which aims to enhance services, attract new investment, and improve the overall vibrancy of the urban core.
3. Drive Development of Needed Commercial Space
Throughout Q2 of 2025, the AREA played a leadership role in championing site readiness as a critical strategy for long-term business development in the region. AREA issued a regional call for sites to private sector property owners, encouraging submissions to New Mexico’s statewide site readiness program to expand the pipeline of investment-ready locations.
In addition to advancing site readiness efforts, AREA hosted six business recruitment site visits across the greater Albuquerque region. Industries represented during these visits included research and development, energy, manufacturing, advanced computing, and aerospace—further reinforcing the region’s competitive positioning across multiple highgrowth sectors.
ABB Installation Products Ribbon Cutting
8 Governance, Advisory Council and Investor Programs Q2 3 Trade Shows, Market Visits, and Conferences Attended
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Economic Development Week
May 12-16, 2025
In recognition of Economic Development Week, AREA highlighted the measurable progress being made across the greater Albuquerque region and the broader value of the economic development profession. This included showcasing recent milestones such as the attraction of high-wage jobs, advancement of key industries, and ongoing efforts to prepare sites and align workforce pipelines with employer needs.
Throughout the week, AREA also focused on elevating awareness of the economic development field and promoting the region’s strengths on both a state and national stage. Through coordinated efforts with our public and private sector partners, we shared success stories, hosted strategic conversations, and amplified the message that greater Albuquerque is open for business and poised for growth.
Atomic
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AREA’s Vice President for Business Development
Aida Roberts spoke to local youth about the documentary “The Evolution and Future Path of Greater Albuquerque’s Economy.” The film highlights how their skills, creativity, and drive are needed here in New Mexico whether in coding, clean tech, filmmaking, aerospace, biotech, or emerging fields, there’s real opportunity in Greater Albuquerque today.
AREA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS
