Author:  Brandon Thienes

As my last entry for 2007 I listed twenty or so reasons that New Mexico's economy continues to evade the national recession-istic economy.  As the new year has begun, there are even more reasons to celebrate New Mexico and its potential as an investment haven.  I am listing below a few more reasons why I am happy to be in the Land of Enchantment.

1*    Development of the New Mexico Spaceport, "Spaceport America" 100,000 square-foot hangar and terminal facility is scheduled to begin in 2008.  This venture between the state of New Mexico, and Virgin Galactic owned by Billionaire Richard Branson will be "The world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport is designed to convey the thrill of space travel while making a minimal impact on the environment." The terminal and hangar facility are projected to cost about $31 million, and will provide a destination experience for visitors to Spaceport America.  This venture is anticipated to bring a large consortium of visitors, scientists and customers.

A study conducted by New Mexico State University projects that by Spaceport America’s fifth year of operation, it will employ 2,300 people with a payroll of $300 million. Download the NMSU study.

Futron Corporation predicts that by 2020, Spaceport America will employ more than 5,000 people with an excess of $1 billion in total revenues. Download the Futron study.

2*     International financial giant Fidelity investments has announced the construction of a $15MM, 200,000 sf.  office just outside of Albuquerque to employ over 1200 people with average salaries of $60k.

3*    The following state infrastructure investments are planned for the coming year:

        $10MM for roads to the NM spaceport.
        $14MM for state fairgrounds renovations
        $ 6MM  for renovations to UNM's basketball arena
        $ 5MM  for renovations to UNM's football stadium
        $19MM for an arts complex at NMSU
        $12MM for construction of a dental school at UNM
        $79MM for assorted university and public school upgrades
        $  5MM for substance abuse facility construction
        $  5MM for film promotion
        $70MM for film incentives
        $28MM for misc. state and prison infrastructure

4*    Aquatic Consultants, a national lake and pond consulting firm is breaking ground on a $4MM 16,900 sf. office 
        building to house their growing practice.

5*    Albuquerque is renovating and expanding it's fire academy at a price of $8.5MM

6*    Presbyterian Healthcare is building an additional $7MM medical complex to meet the growing demands of the 
        Rio Rancho (Albuquerque) suburb.

7*    In spite of media reports of the downturn in national real estate, Albuquerque remains strong.  The last year 
        that Albuquerque showed a drop/decline in our housing market was in 1988 when we had a 2% decline.  
        The average sale price of homes in Albuquerque between Sept. 06 and Sept. 06 increased $6,413. (AMBR 
        statistics).

8*    Venture capitalists have committed to pour in $121.7MM in investment funds into New Mexico 
        companies during the first quarter of 2008.  Here are a few of the recipients:

        Aspen Avionics
        Wellkeeper - developing wireless oil well monitoring systems
        Altela - Cleaning brackish water produced by oil & gas drilling
        Enerpulse - developers of highpower sparkplugs.
        

Once again, I cannot reiterate the wonderful things happening in New Mexico, and I want to invite investors and investor representatives both to consider working with The Equity Experts as you look into the benefits and profits to be made in our wonderful state.

til next time, don't forget to visit our site:  TheEquityExperts.com

Brandon Thienes