Beyond ‘Breaking Bad’: N.M. lands Netflix hub
Firm forecast to spend $1B in state in 10 years
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Netflix has chosen New Mexico as the site of a new U.S. production hub and is negotiating to buy a multimillion-dollar studio complex on the edge of the state’s largest city, government and corporate leaders announced Monday.
It’s the company’s first purchase of such a property, and upcoming production work in Albuquerque and at other spots around New Mexico is forecast to result in $1 billion in spending over the next decade.
More than $14 million in state and local economic development funding is being tapped to bring Netflix to New Mexico. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, a Democrat, said lengthy efforts to put New Mexico on the movie-making map are paying off.
“This is awesome,” the governor told dozens of people gathered inside a cavernous sound stage at ABQ Studios. “This massive investment will have a huge impact of course on New Mexico and continue our efforts to grow and diversify the economy.”
In 2013, Martinez signed the “Breaking Bad bill,” named after the Emmy-winning TV drama that filmed primarily in Albuquerque. The legislation enhanced incentives for television productions.
Martinez acknowledged the state’s reliance on federal funding and oil and gas development, saying more needs to be done to encourage diverse ventures such as Netflix, as the private sector is the backbone of the American economy.
Keller said the city has laid the groundwork to make sure the film industry is part of its economic development plan. He called landing Netflix a “transformative victory” for the city.
Netflix projects produced in
New Mexico include the Emmy Award-winning limited series “Godless” and “Longmire.” Company officials said experience working in the state inspired them to jump at the opportunity to establish a production hub in Albuquerque.
Netflix this year announced it was establishing its first European production hub in Spain. That operation is expected to help the online video entertainment platform expand its Spanish-language content.
It also has a production hub in
Los Angeles, and it’s possible the company’s footprint will continue to expand, given the amount of content the online entertainment provider is aiming to create.