News & Updates
Quantum will be ‘scalable to real problems’ within a decade, says Sandia director
Sandia National Laboratories Director Laura McGill said this week that she believes that in less than 10 years it will have developed quantum computing capabilities “that are scalable to real problems.”
“We are not to the point where we have a full, scalable quantum computer,” McGill said. “But we can see that’s coming … This is an important capability, and I’ll also reinforce that the state of New Mexico has also invested tremendously in quantum.”
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Fed’s Schmid tells ABQ leaders AI could ‘bolster’ workforce
The nation’s labor market is in the midst of long-term transformation — and central banker Jeffrey Schmid expects artificial intelligence to play a significant role in shaping the road ahead.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Kansas City Fed chief sees strong growth ahead, but inflation still outpacing target
Jeff Schmid, the CEO and president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, shared his thoughts on the economy and monetary policy in the U.S. and New Mexico during a Feb. 11 Economic Forum of Albuquerque meeting.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Business First – potential paywall.)
Meta on trial: Jury selection to begin in Santa Fe
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in a trial that pits New Mexico against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram and one of the world’s largest social media companies. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed the suit against Meta Platforms and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in 2023, alleging the parent company of Facebook and Instagram failed to protect children…
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Leaders pitch law to regulate harmful AI images
The measure, called the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Act, would require AI companies to include digital markers in content to help identify creators of harmful deepfakes and allow people to pursue civil actions against violators.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Mayor touts ‘generational change’ in ABQ despite problems
Looking past the construction and the broken windows, the city is working toward generational change, Mayor Tim Keller told business leaders at an Economic Forum meeting in Old Town on Wednesday morning.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Photo: Jon Austria/Journal
Economic Forum of Albuquerque conducts survey on local economy
The Economic Forum of Albuquerque recently conducted a survey to to determine how Albuquerque residents and local business owners feel about the city’s economy.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article/interview)
Survey finds high level of support for ABQ businesses, but there are areas to improve
A survey conducted for an organization devoted to aiding the Albuquerque business community found that the business community and residents of the city’s metro area have high levels of support for the private sector.
The Economic Forum Collaborative released the findings Nov. 5 from the survey conducted by Albuquerque pollster Research & Polling Inc.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Business First- potential paywall.)
Farming and ranching lead New Mexico’s most trusted industries amid growing distrust, survey finds
Chuckles, groans and a bit of soul-searching took place in Old Town on Wednesday as a group of business professionals gathered to hear how much, or how little, New Mexicans trust them.
Economic Forum of Albuquerque was the occasion and trust was the topic that brought the professionals together at the Albuquerque Museum. The gathering featured a presentation from Tom Garrity, founder and president of The Garrity Group, a public relations firm that does public relations work for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal- potential paywall.)
High-profile team starts Imagine New Mexico initiative
A new nonprofit has emerged and aims tackle key challenges in New Mexico.
Imagine New Mexico will work to address five issues deemed most urgent by the organization’s leaders including health care, education, economic growth, poverty reduction and public safety.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Business First- potential paywall.)
‘Let’s double down’: EDD secretary lays out 2025 economic priorities for New Mexico
The state is focused on three key initiatives in its latest economic plan: enhancing data management, ensuring site readiness and prioritizing development.
Economic Development Department Secretary Rob Black at an Economic Forum of Albuquerque meeting Wednesday morning highlighted the work his department is doing to make New Mexico a more competitive place to do business.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal- potential paywall.)
Talks heat up around UNM Downtown presence
City officials and the University of New Mexico are one step closer to bringing some of the institution’s operations Downtown.
The university and Mayor Tim Keller’s office last week signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signaling the next step in bringing a larger university presence to the heart of the city.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal- potential paywall.)
Federal Reserve economist notes disconnect in business sentiment versus investment
Nicholas Sly, Denver Branch executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, shared his thoughts on the U.S. and New Mexican economy at a Feb. 12 Economic Forum of Albuquerque meeting.
His update centered around three main themes: stability, consumer and business sentiment and uncertainty. Key economic health indicators, such as GDP, labor force participation rate, inflation and unemployment, are stable, Sly said.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Business First – potential paywall.)
Three questions with Federal Reserve executive Nicholas Sly
New Mexico has “definitely been one of the states that has faster than the national average growth in housing costs,” according to Nicholas Sly, a Denver branch executive and economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
“Rents as well grew very, very quickly in the northern part of the state,” Sly added, whose job entails staying on top of economic conditions in Colorado, Wyoming and northern New Mexico.
Sly is in town to meet with business leaders to gauge how the local economy is doing and where it’s heading. He sat down with the Journal on Tuesday, discussing everything from the Federal Reserve’s outlook on interest rate cuts this year to how Trump’s policy proposals might affect local businesses.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
CNM president speaks to Economic Forum about her institution’s impact
For 60 years, Central New Mexico Community College has been improving people’s lives and contributing to the local workforce, according to the institution’s president.
CNM President Tracy Hartzler delivered that message Wednesday during her remarks to the Economic Forum of Albuquerque, a group of business leaders who meet regularly to get updates on issues facing the local economy. She said the college trains workers to meet the needs of local businesses.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
ABQ mayor makes an offer:
If a New Mexico university is willing to work with the city of Albuquerque to revamp Downtown, Mayor Tim Keller is willing to hand over land in the heart of the city, free of charge.
Keller made the commitment last week at an Economic Forum meeting in Old Town. He referenced the University of New Mexico specifically but said the offer is open to any local higher education institution willing to take it.
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Photo: Matt Oberer
Economic Forum celebrates incoming, outgoing leaders
The song “Higher” by Eminem is on Emily Howard’s “Pump Me Up” playlist. She listened to it on her way to Wednesday’s Economic Forum meeting, the final event she attended as a general member. Come January, she’ll step into the role of executive director. Howard on Wednesday participated in a Q&A with the outgoing executive director Kathie Winograd…
(Click “Read More” to see the full article by the Albuquerque Journal – potential paywall.)
Photo: mattophoto
‘Room for significant investment’: Visit Albuquerque presents 10-year master plan to Economic Forum (via Albuquerque Journal)
Is Albuquerque as strong as it can be when a visitor comes here? Is their experience what we promised them? Is there more that we can do to make Albuquerque more attractive?
Those are the questions Tania Armenta, CEO and president of Visit Albuquerque, posed to members of the Economic Forum of Albuquerque on Wednesday morning. Armenta, who has led the organization for close to a decade, presented a snapshot of Visit Albuquerque’s 10-year destination master plan — a 121-page document that outlines efforts to boost Albuquerque’s marketability and attractiveness to visitors.
The master plan, formed with the input of a group of local stakeholders and community leaders…
Economic Forum of Albuquerque announces next leader (via Albuquerque Journal)
The Economic Forum of Albuquerque announced Thursday that Emily Howard, the founder of Cheetah Strategy, will be the group’s next executive director. A pro in marketing, tourism and strategic planning sectors, Howard said she is ready to start her “next chapter.”
“Having engaged with the Forum as both a member and consultant, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this organization has on our community,” she said in a statement….
Photo courtesy of Emily K. Howard
Economic Forum of Albuquerque names new executive director (via Albuquerque Business First)
There’s a new leader of an influential business group.
Economic Forum of Albuquerque, founded in 1982 as a non-partisan membership organization of business and community leaders, has named Emily Howard its new executive director, effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“I am honored to lead the Economic Forum into its next chapter,” Howard said in a news release. “Having engaged with the Forum as both a member and consultant, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this organization has on our community….
Photo courtesy of Emily K. Howard
A look into technology Sandia National Labs is working on
From rockets to COVID-19, Sandia National Laboratories is researching and producing solutions to a litany of problems.
David Gibson, deputy laboratories director, presented at Wednesday’s Economic Forum. He said Sandia is leaning into the development of several new technologies.
He highlighted the labs’ work in…
Gizmo, robotic dog, photo credit: Albuquerque Journal
How can businesses use AI to advance operations?
Artificial intelligence may not replace your job, but someone using AI could.
John Boersma is an AI and machine learning strategy consultant and is the principal at JB Management Consulting. He presented what he called a practical guide to AI for leaders at Wednesday’s Economic Forum meeting…
Tucson’s downtown is booming. This Arizona businessman said Albuquerque should follow its lead.
Rio Nuevo has been a core part of Tucson’s downtown redevelopment success, Marquez told the Economic Forum of Albuquerque Wednesday morning. The Southern Arizona city has been named one of the top places to live downtown and one of the best music cities in the U.S., and it was recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015, among a number of other accolades Marquez described….
Stokes rounds up UNM economics at forum
Athletics, health care and quantum theory. Those were some of the topics that University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes covered at the Albuquerque Economic Forum last week.
UNM president outlines vision for growth in Albuquerque
University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes, Ph.D., outlined how the university is advancing growth in New Mexico, at the Economic Forum of Albuquerque on Aug. 28.
The presentation highlighted the most recent university-generated economic impact report that shows UNM, overall, accounted for 47,000 jobs, $1.9 billion in labor income and $5.2 billion in economic output across New Mexico. Image credit: Albuquerque Business First
ABQ Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency outlines vision for ‘catalytic growth’
Terry Brunner, director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency, presented at Economic Forum on June 12, and outlined the city of Albuquerque’s vision for economic revitalization. Image credit: Albuquerque Business First
Addressing site readiness in New Mexico: How can state attract businesses
How does New Mexico take the lead in attracting businesses to the state? Business leaders say by getting ahead of the curve on site readiness barriers it faces. Image credit: Albuquerque Journal
AREA urges proactive approach to site readiness at Economic Forum event
Representatives for the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) on Wednesday urged local business leaders at an Economic Forum of Albuquerque event to take site selection and preparation more seriously, pitching the approach as a way for the Albuquerque metro to better compete for high-paying jobs against other markets across the country. Image credit: Albuquerque Business First
New UNM football head coach wants team’s economic impact to increase
Albuquerque Business First writes about Bronco Mendenhall’s presentation to Economic Forum and the positive impact athletics can make on our city’s overall economic development. Image credit: Albuquerque Business First
PNM moves forward in clean energy transition without Avangrid
Don Tarry is the president and chief operating officer for PNM Resources, PNM’s parent company. He talked to business leaders at an Economic Forum of Albuquerque event on Wednesday morning about PNM’s clean energy efforts.
Keller, city prioritize public safety, housing and finishing projects in 2024 legislative asks
At an Economic Forum meeting Wednesday, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller urged listeners not to forget the “money on the sidelines.”
“Our state has all sorts of money,” Keller said at the meeting, as he reflected on both the past year and the one ahead. “We have enough money to invest in what we want to do.”
Meow Wolf CEO Talks Expansion
On Wednesday, Tolosa spoke at Economic Forum of Albuquerque about the steps Meow Wolf is taking with planning for the future. Meow Wolf is gearing up to open its fourth permanent space — “The Real Unreal” — on July 14 in Grapevine, Texas.
Kathie Winograd: New Mexico’s workforce problem is a ‘chicken-and-egg issue’
I think we have a workforce problem throughout the United States and that New Mexico not only reflects what’s happening in the United States, but has unique challenges, because we’re in New Mexico and part of what we are is unique.
Sandia Labs Saw Record-Breaking Spending Last Year
Sandia National Laboratories’ economic impact continues to grow nationally and in New Mexico, spending a record $4.2 billion in FY2022, according to its annual economic impact report. It was the first time the laboratory, headquartered in Albuquerque, surpassed $4 billion in spending.