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Albuquerque
The Southwest American City With the Energy
To Power the Future

Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta attracts 700 balloonists and 800,000 visitors every October.

Infused with the creative spark and independent spirit that define the American Southwest, the city of Albuquerque is a place where big ideas are taking flight.

Located in the state of New Mexico, Albuquerque is “a great place for business,” according to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, an honored speaker at the 2008 Forbes Global CEO Conference.

It is a city filled not only with year-round sunshine and diverse cultural influences, but also impressive brainpower. Access to resources such as the University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories make it a magnet for high-tech manufacturing and research in sectors ranging from microelectronics to renewable energy.

These companies are drawn to the area’s highly educated workforce — Albuquerque has the nation’s 25th highest concentration of college graduates — and significant incentives and tax credits that reward investment and job creation.

In 2006, Forbes named Albuquerque the Best City in the U.S. for Business and Careers. That’s an impressive feat, but the real value of this city is found in the stories of businesses and public/private ventures that have achieved substantial growth and success in the region. Among them:

Intel: This world leader in semiconductor technology is Albuquerque’s largest private-sector employer, with more than 3,000 employees in a total space of 4 million square feet. The innovative environment and public/private cooperation found in New Mexico have led Intel to invest more than $13 billion in its operations since expanding into the state in 1980.

SCHOTT Solar: A leading manufacturer of solar cells, receivers and modules, SCHOTT Solar will employ 1,500 people at its flagship manufacturing facility in Albuquerque. According to Dr. Gerald J. Fine, president and chief executive officer of SCHOTT North America, Inc., “Albuquerque represents more than a talented labor pool, a business-friendly climate and a superb location in the heart of the Sunbelt — it represents a clear vision to become the North American leader in solar energy.”

In 2006, Forbes named Albuquerque the Best City
in the U.S. for Business and Careers.

Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world’s first Very Light Jet (VLJ), is revolutionizing air transportation.

Hewlett-Packard (HP): A high-quality workforce and favorable business environment are among the reasons HP is locating its new customer service and technical support centers here. These facilities, says Jon Flaxman, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, will help “achieve efficiencies that will continue to improve the experience for our customers.”

Eclipse Aviation: Home to Kirtland Air Force Base and two Air Force research labs, Albuquerque has long nurtured the aviation and aerospace fields. This environment led Eclipse Aviation, producer of the world’s first Very Light Jet (VLJ), to relocate here in 2000. The company has 2,000 employees at its headquarters and assembly facility.

Mesa del Sol: A shining example of Albuquerque’s leadership in sustainable development, this 20-square-mile community is a partnership between developer Forest City Covington, the University of New Mexico and the state of New Mexico. Renewable energy sources will power its planned 18 million square feet of commercial space, 37,500 homes, 3,200 acres for parks and open space, and education facilities.

Advent Solar: The first company to locate in Mesa del Sol, this producer of advanced solar components, launched with technology from Sandia National Laboratories, was incubated at the University of New Mexico and secured an equity investment from the state. “New Mexico was willing to provide unprecedented support to renewable energy industries,” says Chief Executive Officer Peter Green.

Fidelity Investments: Leveraging Albuquerque’s labor pool, this financial services giant will move its human resource services operations into a 215,000-square-foot facility in Mesa del Sol later this year. Pat Goepel, president of Fidelity Human Resource Services, says that Albuquerque is an ideal place for employees to “work, live, play and prosper, while helping clients.”

Companies interested in expanding to the Albuquerque metro area are invited to contact Albuquerque Economic Development (AED) at www.abq.org.

Photos courtesy of: SCHOTT Solar; Ron Behrmann; Eclipse Aviation