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It’s “Facebook Official”
Alumnus Helps Bring Social Media Giant To New Mexico
By Rachel Forrester
When you hear the words “Facebook official,” chances are it refers to someone who has publically announced their relationship or family news online. For Gary Tonjes (BS 78), however, his involvement with Facebook went a step further when he was challenged to help bring the world-class social media company to New Mexico.
Gary is president of Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. (AED), where he leads efforts to recruit new employers and help local companies expand to create quality jobs and opportunities for the city’s metro area. He engages with companies to generate interest and investment in the area, and works with the AED team and community partners to win these job creation projects.
In January of last year, AED was tasked to lead the recruitment effort in finding a location for Facebook’s newest data center, and the team worked extensively behind the scenes to bring the highly respected company to the land of enchantment.
Gary and AED Vice President Deb Inman were Facebook’s intermediaries for much of the work and analysis, coordinating with real estate brokers, land owners, elected officials and governmental staff, utility representatives and many others who were involved in the effort. Several sites throughout the Albuquerque metro area were presented for consideration, including the Los Lunas site that Facebook ultimately selected.

On Oct. 11 Gary Tonjes (far left), the Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. team and Facebook representatives broke ground in Los Lunas, NM to begin construction on the social media company’s newest data center.
“A project of this magnitude doesn’t happen without a team from diverse organizations pulling in the same direction,” said Gary.
“It was a fascinating project to work. The Facebook team was, not surprisingly, incredibly professional and detail oriented. They were a pleasure to work with.”
Beating out Utah, another state in contention, Los Lunas offered a property tax break through $30 billion in industrial revenue bonds, a gross receipts tax reimbursement of up to $1.6 million annually and $10 million in Local Development Act funding.
The $250 million first phase of the project broke ground in October and will provide construction and high-tech jobs, as well as the potential to attract other companies to the state.
“Since the announcement, we have already seen an increase in interest and project activity from companies that support and follow Facebook’s data centers,” said Gary. “Facebook is well-known within the industry for its comprehensive analysis of potential locations. Their selection of Los Lunas for this mission-critical investment sends a message to other employers that the Albuquerque metro area and state should be considered for their future projects.”
In addition to its initial minimum job and investment commitments, Facebook may invest as much as $30 billion in the complex, which could grow to as many as six buildings. The facility will be equipped with the latest hardware designs and powered by 100 percent clean and renewable energy through solar and wind plants. The data center is the largest capital investment in the state’s history and is expected to begin operation by 2018.