Albuquerque as seen by corporate expansion decision makers

BY REBECCA SWANSON

ALBUQUERQUE REGIONAL ECONOMIC ALLIANCE

With a state rich in culture, a diverse workforce, leading target industries, and a climate arguably unmatched to any other region in the nation, it’s no surprise a group of consultants who recently visited greater Albuquerque were impressed.

The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, recently hosted six national site selectors, hailing from all over the United States including Chicago, Phoenix, Nashville, and Dallas. Site selectors provide location strategy to corporations across the globe and for every industry, sector, and function.

Often their outreach is based on trust and past communication, and for AREA, 25% or more of its pipeline of new business activity is sources through these consultants. Their job is often to eliminate markets from consideration, and quite frequently, a community does not even know it was being considered before it is eliminated as an option for a new corporate investment or expansion.

The consultants certainly know big cities and have seen economic growth, but all had incredibly positive feedback about the Albuquerque region.

“One of the things about New Mexico that never ceases to amaze me, is the growth that you have,” said Bryan Farlow of Thomas and Hutton. “You’re stuck between a couple very strong states, Texas and Arizona, and the development and some of the growth I’ve seen during this trip, you all are on the right track. One thing I would say is don’t be afraid to invest in your infrastructure and don’t be afraid to invest in your sites.”

The consultants included Bryan Farlow of Thomas and Hutton, Scott Kupperman of Kupperman Location Solutions, Dave Laszlo of Austin Consulting, Eric Levenhagen of RSM US, Brad Migdal of Cushman and Wakefield, and Garet Tomlinson of Mohr Partners.

The consultants were in town for several days and began with a tour of key development sites in the region. The group enjoyed a driving tour of the significant

SANDIA NATIONAL LABRATORIES

commercial growth and housing in Mesa del Sol and made a brief stop at the New Mexico United’s practice facility, and got to meet team owner, Peter Trevisani and other members of the leadership team.

They toured the facility and were given a presentation on the future plans for the team and the stadium, along with learning more about the economic impact the professional team has had, not only on the region, but the entire state. One consultant commented that hearing the story of United and having the opportunity to meet the owner was the crowning part of his experience during the visit.

“A big part of why I came to Albuquerque is to understand, is there something I’m missing in the data and how do I find the opportunity for industrial projects for this area,” said Dave Laszlo of Austin Consulting. “In terms of perceptions, everyone I’ve ever met who has been to New Mexico or Albuquerque is over the moon about it, and I have been so impressed. No matter where I go, there is an absolutely amazing view.”

The group was then taken on a tour of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History and were immersed in the state’s rich history and continued leadership in nuclear energy and technology. The consultants also sat through a presentation on the region’s livability, target industries, and the business climate. Presenters included Josh Parsons, Chief Financial Officer at Sandia National Laboratories and member of AREA’s Executive Committee, as well as Major General (retired) Neil McCasland of the Kirtland Partnership Committee.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunity because there’s a lot of places all across the country right now that are lacking natural resources, lacking power, and if you understand what you have and the capacity with a lot of open land, to have solar arrays, and the ability to generate solar energy and having a solar manufacturer here, is a great opportunity for you to have energy where other places in the country don’t,” said Brad Migdal of Cushman & Wakefield.

A panel discussion was also provided with speakers Frank Gallegos, Public Affairs Director of Intel, Corp., President Tracy Hartzler of the Central New Mexico Community College, and Art Martinez, Workforce Administrator for Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico.

“I’ve always known about aerospace defense, solar energy, but I want to learn more about Intel, IT (information technology) and what you’re doing to attract California companies, because I certainly work with those companies to move into other states,” said Eric Levenhagen of RSM US. “I applaud the Mayor on the Rail Trail, that’s big, that does help attract companies to town.”

The group was then taken to Winrock Town Center for a tour of existing retail space and redevelopment plans for expanding interactive lifestyle centers in the heart of the region.

“I encourage the region to keep doing a great job of finding what your target industries are, but there’s a great deal of uncertainty that goes into site selection, so if you can stand out by saying these are the companies that have had success here, we have the capacity for more, and let us demonstrate that for you... if you have the people that can do that, you are going to stand out,” said Scott Kupperman, Kupperman Location Solutions.

The evening concluded at the National Hispanic Cultural Center with a presentation from Mayor Tim Keller and Sanjay Bhatka, CFO of the City of Albuquerque. The Mayor did not shy away from crime and focused on what the city is doing to combat those issues as well as homelessness. He also discussed many projects moving along throughout Albuquerque designed to advance quality of life and place including new sports complexes, the United stadium, infrastructure investments for the University of New Mexico, the Rail Trail and investment plans for Downtown.

Mayor Keller spoke on the promise of Albuquerque and why in many regards it is an untapped market- for now.

“This is a walkthrough of the City of Albuquerque, and in many ways a promise of our city, the promise of Albuquerque, and that promise is pretty straight forward, it’s the same promise it’s been for a long time,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We are a city at a crossroads, the crossroads of two interstates, the crossroads of two major rail lines and our metro area is the only place in a thousand square miles where essentially we have an urban community.”

Following presentations from the Mayor and the city’s CFO, there was a leadership discussion from Deputy Cabinet Secretary Jon Clark from the State’s Economic Development Department, County Commissioner Walt Benson and Sandoval County Manager Wayne Johnson. The panelists spoke about collaboration and why it’s so critical the counties within the region work together on economic development initiatives in partnership with AREA, because one county may have a site or location that would work better for a company than it would in another part of the region.

Chicago native Joe Farr, and owner of Duke City Commercial, LLC, has been conducting business in Albuquerque for nearly 30 years. The former AREA Chair and current board member spoke to the consultants about the future of the region, and why more companies should consider doing business here.

“We’re a little bit different, we’re more collaborative, and we work together on things, and that was the theme from a lot of our site selectors this visit,” said Joe Farr, owner, Duke City Commercial, LLC. “I’ve done business in almost 50 markets throughout the country and there is no place that I’ve done business in that is like this. We are right now, transforming to something better that meets the future head on.”

Some of the consultants were so impressed by the region, they decided to extend their trip, bring out family and enjoyed the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. A few even got to experience a hot air balloon ride and see the scenic landscape from a bird’s eye view.

“You guys have an idea as to who you are, and you’re doing a great job of selling what you have,” said Garet Tomlinson of Mohr Partners. “We see so many groups across the country that sell things they don’t have, or they’re not open about those things up front and it’s a huge problem for what we do because ultimately, we can’t bring projects to those places. With you being an alliance, it’s serial collaboration, if something’s coming into your area that does not match what you’re trying to accomplish and it does match with your sister county, perfect... because putting it there is going to benefit you greatly.”

The consultants work with different industries like manufacturing and distribution, hospital systems, and life science companies across the United States and even internationally.

“We are thrilled for the positive feedback and are moving full steam ahead to ensure we are a top location of choice for companies represented by site consultants as well as for small startups and everyone in between,” said Danielle Casey, President, and CEO of AREA.

For more information on the advantages of a greater Albuquerque location for business, visit ABQ.org and to explore the resources and quality of life available, check out live. abq.org.

FILE PHOTO