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Albuquerque city councilors unanimously approved $1 million for the independent film production studio complex Mesa Film Studios on Monday.
The studio will be built in west Albuquerque near Double Eagle II Airport and the Petroglyph National Monument.
Councilors Klarissa Peña and Louie Sanchez sponsored the bill. The state is also ponying up $6 million in funding.
Sanchez, whose district the studio will be built in, called the project special for Albuquerque and the West Side.
The project is the latest development on the West Side. Sanchez said Monday he believes there is room for more expansion in the area.
A few public speakers voiced concerns with the project and its proximity to tribal land. City administration said tribal leadership was properly notified.
The film and production industry in Albuquerque has grown substantially in recent years with NBCUniversal and Netflix both operating studios in the city.
“The film industry is a tremendous economic catalyst for us,” said Max Gruner, the city’s economic development director. “And we are running out of studio space; we just are.”
