NM Netflix expansion is recognized by industry mag
State is 1 of 5 to be honored by Area Development
Netflix is once again shining a bright light on New Mexico and the city of Albuquerque.
On Friday, the state, city and Netflix were recognized by Area Development magazine with its Gold & Silver Shovel Award.
Area Development is a leading publication covering site selection and facility planning. It annually recognizes 20 states that have achieved success in the categories of new job creation and company capital investment.
Five projects, including New Mexico’s Netflix project, were recognized by the publication as “Non-Manufacturing Projects of the Year.”
The projects are: Netflix in New Mexico, Centene in North Carolina, Microsoft in Georgia, Microsoft in Virginia and Accenture in Missouri.
“New Mexico is grateful and honored to again be recognized for the Netflix expansion project,” said Alicia J. Keyes, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary. “The film and television industry has grown into a full and robust ecosystem that provides stable year-round employment for thousands of New Mexicans. Netflix is a key part of that growth.”
Netflix, a New Mexico Film Partner, purchased Albuquerque Studios in 2018 and announced a significant expansion in November 2020.
The 300-acre expansion will create an estimated 1,000 production jobs, and an additional $1 billion in production spending.
The project includes 10 new stages, post-production services, production offices, mills, backlots, training facilities, wardrobe suites, and a commissary to support meals and craft services.
The project is expected to create 1,467 construction jobs and will generate a 10-year statewide economic impact of over $4 billion.
The deal makes Albuquerque’s Netflix site the biggest North American production hub.
“Netflix injects millions of dollars into New Mexico’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and hundreds of small businesses across the state,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “I am proud to support this growing industry, which will help New Mexico achieve a robust and sustainable economic recovery.”