ABQ MAKES ITS PITCH
City promotes its positives in effort to be competitive
Albuquerque is stressing quality of life in its bid for e-commerce giant’s second headquarters
New Mexico might not have the most money to offer Amazon as it decides where to put a second headquarters, but officials say nearly limitless sunshine, hazard-free weather and a diverse population should make the state competitive.
The retail-commerce giant has set today as the deadline for bids from Albuquerque and dozens of other cities competing to lure Amazon. The company is promising $5 billion of investment and 50,000 jobs over the next decade and a half.
Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry has already pointed to the city’s 310 days a year of sunshine in a letter to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Berry’s chief of staff, Gilbert Montaño, said the city has been laying the groundwork to attract big employers like Amazon and build entrepreneurial opportunities with investments in the workforce and infrastructure.
Montaño said Tuesday that Albuquerque should be a major contender — confirming that the city will submit a proposal that includes what he called some creative real estate solutions focused on a downtown area that city officials say is undergoing a renaissance.
Due to nondisclosure agreements, the city is keeping quiet about what kind of tax breaks and other financial incentives it may offer. But officials with the state Economic Development Department and local business groups say it has become a statewide effort to put New Mexico on Amazon’s radar.
“We don’t have the checkbook, if that’s what you want to call it, that Illinois or whomever — pick a state — has. It’s going to be the total package,” said Matt Geisel, the state economic development secretary. “New Mexico is a great place to do business and it’s a great place to live. What we offer is unique and compelling and you layer those things up.”
While quality of life means different things to different people, he said New Mexico has food, brew and art scenes as good as anywhere plus year-round affordable outdoor recreation, short commute times and plentiful blue skies.
“Sunsets and vistas aren’t going to win the project, but it does definitely throw a little green chile salsa on our overall offering,” Geisel said.
On a more serious note, the Albuquerque mayor and others say the region boasts a talented labor pool with a significant number of people who have doctorate degrees — most in the science and technology fields.
Add to that ethnic diversity that aligns with Amazon’s corporate values, Berry said, calling it one of the greatest strengths. New Mexico is one of only a handful of minority-majority states.