New Mexico's scenic landscape and rich cultural history makes it an enjoyable and unique destination. The state enjoys over 300 days of sunshine offering visitors and residents outdoor recreational opportunities year round including golf, skiing, and hiking. Situated near the Sandia Mountains along the Rio Grande, Albuquerque is a 300 hundred year old city rich in culture, arts, and culinary flavor, few cities can claim such a distinctive past.

Tamaya Regency Resort & Spa

Albuquerque's business climate is just as vibrant as its cultural climate. The economic and geographic center of New Mexico, the Albuquerque metro area is home to 860,000 residents and the 10th highest concentration of tech workers in the nation. In, 2009 Forbes magazine ranked Albuquerque, for the sixth consecutive year, among the top fifteen U.S. cities for business and careers. The area's highly educated workforce, low operational costs, above-average population growth and great quality of life have attracted investment from leading corporations throughout the world. Fidelity Investments, ReelzChannel, General Mills, Molina Healthcare, Hewlett-Packard, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and SCHOTT Solar are among the companies that have recently selected the Albuquerque metro area for new investment and job creation.

Major employers include:

• Intel Corporation
• Sandia National Laboratories
• Honeywell Defense & Space Electronic Systems
• General Mills
• Ethicon Endo-Surgery

• Albuquerque Ranked #1 City to Live and Make Films — MovieMaker, January 2010
• ABQ #2 on Kiplinger's Best Cities 2009 — Kiplinger's, July 2009
• US News' Names ABQ Among Best Places — US News & World Report, June 2009
• Albuquerque Ranked #6 Best City — Outside, July 2009

Sources cited:
Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc.
50states.com

Anticipating the need to boost production, Schott's new site is designed to support expansion to both its photovoltaic module and solar receiver lines. Long-term plans call for an investment of $500 million and hiring of 1,500 employees.

by John W. McCurry

Even in the wide-open western U.S., finding a suitable 100-acre (41-hectare) site can be a challenge. In fact it was the biggest challenge facing Schott Solar's expansion into the U.S. The company is a subsidiary of Mainz, Germany-based Schott AG.

"There were not a lot of 100-acre sites out there that met our criteria," says Mark Finocchario, president and CEO of Schott Solar. "We started with 75 sites after we narrowed it down to five states. Proposals were submitted and many were disqualified because they did not meet our operational requirements. We probably looked at 25 sites, maybe 30."

But the best site soon became apparent in Albuquerque's Mesa del Sol master-planned community, which is quickly becoming the state's solar manufacturing cluster.

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Governor Bill Richardson

Governor Bill Richardson recently announced Solar Distinction, Inc.'s plans to build a state of the art photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Albuquerque. The plant will employ 300 within the first two to three years and will eventually grow to a workforce of 500 employees. The company plans to initially produce 25MW of solar panels expanding to 50MW at full production.

"I am proud that Solar Distinction, Inc. has decided to locate its state of the art photovoltaic manufacturing plant in Albuquerque," Governor Richardson said. "This is the type of investment and job opportunities that my administration has worked hard to create, and it shows New Mexico is fast becoming the center of North America's solar industry."

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In January 2009, Gov. Bill Richardson announced ReelzChannel's plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Albuquerque, NM. ReelzChannel is the only cable and satellite network/website entirely dedicated to the movie industry. The company's relocation will create 100 quality job opportunities ranging from production to marketing.

"ReelzChannel's decision to relocate to New Mexico is a testament to our hard work in building a thriving television and film industry and it seals our reputation as national and world leader in film and television production," Governor Bill Richardson said. "This is a proud day for New Mexico as we welcome our first television network to the state. ReelzChannel will be a great compliment to our expanding television and film efforts."

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