ABQ, NM working for better economy despite pandemic

There has been some good economic news in recent weeks that gives hope for better times ahead.

And that’s most welcome considering New Mexico never fully recovered from the Great Recession of 2008, where the state lost 50,000 jobs. In the years since, we have lagged the rest of the nation in employment recovery, wages and other economic indicators.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic delivered another body blow to an already anemic economy. We are, for example, in the bottom four or five states in terms of jobs recovery from the widespread shutdowns that were imposed last spring — and are in effect again now. Even before the pandemic, more than 40% of the population was on Medicaid in a state that struggles with high crim, and lackluster scores and graduation rates in its public schools.

And while the depressed market for oil and gas is problematic for the state, there are hopeful developments that give reason for optimism — especially in the metropolitan area.

■ Albuquerque is on the shortlist as the location for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters. Kirtland Air Force Base is a world-class facility and makes a strong case to be the host. With three national labs, including the Air Force Research Laboratory, plus White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico is well-equipped to support the Space Force’s national security mission.

■ Speaking of space, Virgin Galactic says it is on track to do its first manned sub-orbital flight into space in the near future, taking off and landing at Spaceport America near Las Cruces. Commercial flights could begin next year as New Mexico is positioned to be an important hub in this next generation of travel.

■ Speaking of national security, the Air Force just selected Kirtland’s 58th Special Operations Wing as the future home for its AC-130J Ghostrider aircraft and training force, which will move here from Florida. It will involve seven AC-130J aircraft and 372 positions as they join the 58th SOW — training home to the storied pararescue teams known as PJs, and other special operators. Its mission is to provide training in rescue, survival, evasion, resistance and escape. The AC-130J aircraft provide close air support, interdiction and armed reconnaissance in support of special operations around the world.

■ It’s not a done deal, but an East Coast aerospace company that aims to digitally model the planet using a network of satellites is eyeing an expansion into Albuquerque. The Orion Center campus planned near Kirtland Air Force Base could house 1,000 jobs when opened, expanding to as many as 2,500. The campus would include a two-million-square-foot manufacturing center, eight-story office and laboratory building, and an extended-stay hotel, among other developments.

■ Netflix is elevating its New Mexico presence with plans to make Albuquerque its North American production hub just two years after purchasing ABQStudios. Officials estimate the new Netflix investment will result in creation of an estimated 1,000 project-based production jobs over the next 10 years, plus more than 1,400 construction jobs as the company builds offices, backlots, training facilities and up to 10 new stages.

■ Amazon is building a fulfillment center on the West Side that is projected to have 1,000 full-time employees.

■ And the New Mexico Legislature in a special session just approved $330 million in mainly federal financial relief to workers and businesses harmed by the pandemic. That includes $1,200 one-time payments to people who are unemployed, grants of up to $50,000 to small businesses and an injection into the fund that pays unemployment benefits.

New Mexico faces plenty of challenges, first of which is to get past the COVID-19 pandemic. But as that hard work and decision-making continues, it is great to remember we have so many bright minds focused on ensuring our state and workforce have a world of opportunities ready and waiting.