Beth Barela

Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc., operating as the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA), is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1960 dedicated to growing and diversifying the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, which includes Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, and Torrance counties. The non-profit company is based in Albuquerque, NM. The organization leads a five-year strategic initiative focused on enhancing the region’s national identity, attracting and retaining talent, and removing barriers to competitiveness. AREA collaborates with local governments, economic development professionals, businesses, and stakeholders through advisory councils to set regional priorities and share best practices. It supports industry clusters such as aerospace, bioscience, renewable energy, digital media and film, manufacturing, and corporate and professional services, leveraging incentives, a skilled workforce, research institutions, and infrastructure. AREA provides resources including demographic and workforce data, site selection assistance, incentives guidance, and business retention and expansion programs, and promotes regional assets like low cost of living, quality education, healthcare, and transportation networks.