Customer Service/Technical Support Center will employ more than 1,300.

For Immediate release

June 19, 2008 

Governor Bill Richardson Announces Hewlett Packard to Open New Facility in New Mexico

Customer Service and Technical Support Center will bring more than 1,300 jobs to Rio Rancho

SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today announced HP has chosen Rio Rancho to open a new state-of-the-art customer service and technical support center. The technology giant plans to open the center in 2009 and bring more than 1,300 jobs to the area over the next four years.

 “I’m proud that HP realized New Mexico is a great place to do business and has chosen our state to make this tremendous investment,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “This is another major step in our momentum to continue building a diverse, dynamic, high-wage and strong economy.”

 HP officials say they based their decision on New Mexico’s quality workforce, business environment, standard of living and government cooperation. The new center is expected to open in 2009 with a few hundred employees and grow to more than 1,300 by 2012.

 “We are extremely excited to have HP select New Mexico for this facility,” Economic Development Secretary Fred Mondragon said. “This celebration is a direct result of wonderful collaboration between our office, the NM partnership, Albuquerque Economic Development, the City of Rio Rancho, and the office of the Governor. We welcome HP to New Mexico.”

 HP is working with Rio Rancho officials and developers on a location and the design and construction of the new facility, which will be optimized for service and support center operations, with features that include advanced IT and telecommunications systems to track and transfer calls, and spaces for collaboration and training.

In addition to Rio Rancho, HP announced today it is also opening a new customer service and technical support center in Conway, Arkansas.

 “HP is delighted to be creating these new centers in cooperation with the communities in Rio Rancho and Conway,” said Jon Flaxman, HP executive vice president and chief administration officer. “With these new facilities, we expect to improve processes and achieve efficiencies that will help us continue to improve the total experience for our growing number of customers.”

Contact: Alarie Ray-Garcia  (505) 231-7350