Regional economic alliance reports pipeline of about 80 projects and 630 jobs tied to metro recruitment work

Chad Matthews, interim president and CEO of the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, told the Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners that AREA’s regional recruitment work produced roughly 80 active opportunities and four project announcements in the last fiscal year that together represent about 630 new jobs and an estimated three‑year economic impact approaching $640 million.

Matthews, speaking during a county commission meeting, said AREA — which he described as “a 501(c)(3) public‑private nonprofit partnership” — works with local governments and economic development partners to recruit industry, support business expansion and develop talent pipelines. “We operate as a 501(c)(3) public‑private nonprofit partnership,” Matthews said.

The presentation explained how AREA measures regional impact. Matthews summarized the organization’s pipeline and client profile: about 70% of the inquiries were manufacturing or industrial projects, the typical project size averaged about 260,000 square feet, and sites within Sandoval County accounted for roughly 12% of property submissions during the year. AREA reported an estimated regional labor‑market growth projection that it said would move the metro from the bottom quartile toward the second quartile of comparable U.S. markets.

Dora (title not specified in transcript) and county staff framed AREA’s contract with Sandoval County as part of a multijurisdictional agreement covering Bernalillo, Torrance and Valencia counties; AREA’s contract began following a 2022 RFP. Matthews said AREA is in its third full contract year with the county and called out participation by county officials on AREA advisory bodies.

Matthews highlighted several ongoing initiatives: a site‑readiness program (working with the state Economic Development Department and the statewide association New Mexico IDEA), an MOU with Spaceport America to align aerospace and testing customers, and in‑market outreach such as a BIO International trade show delegation that generated trade leads. He also said AREA hosts national site‑consultant familiarization tours twice a year and plans a town‑hall strategic‑planning event on Sept. 18 to shape a second phase of its five‑year strategy.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions and praised the briefing; Chair Meek and others thanked AREA staff for the update. Matthews offered to return for deeper, workshop‑style briefings for commissioners and county staff.

Why it matters: County membership in a regional economic development partnership helps route leads, coordinate site packaging and fund project due diligence that can speed decisions by companies considering a location. The report detailed the types of projects and markets that are actively considering Sandoval County and described next steps — including further site‑readiness work and more intensive outreach to industry consultants.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are Chad Matthews, interim president and CEO, Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance; Dora (AREA staff); and Chair Meek (Sandoval County Board of County Commissioners).