OPINION: Film studios will bring lights, cameras and good jobs to West Side

At the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, we advocate for changes that will help diversify and grow our private sector. There’s been no bigger private-sector success story for New Mexico than the film industry, and in Albuquerque there’s no greater need for jobs and private-sector development than on our West Side.

The city’s Environmental Planning Commission is looking at a proposal from Mesa Film Studios that offers the perfect marriage of these two — an expansive, state-of the-art location for productions that will provide a home base for the many behind-the-scenes professionals who make television and movie magic happen. And Mesa will be in the city’s northwest quadrant, near Double Eagle II Airport along Atrisco Vista Boulevard, providing much-needed jobs in an area ripe for economic development.

Our City Council and mayor have already approved a lease with Mesa Film Studios and specifically listed movie studio as an allowed use. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has been vocal with her support. The total investment is $85 million in just the first phase of the project. This impressive 60-acre permanent film-studio campus will feature:

• Six stages, each approximately 20,000 square feet
• Two flex buildings; one at 12,000 square feet and the other 24,000 square feet
• A mill building to build and store sets and props, 80,000 square feet
• A permanent three-wall blue/green screen on the back lot
• 50,000 square feet of office space

This level of hardscape investment means jobs — 320 construction jobs, 25 full-time jobs with annual salaries and benefits of $1.4 million, and the hundreds of jobs that come with the projects that choose Albuquerque as their base of operations.

Make no mistake, a state-of-the-art campus is key to ensuring projects choose Albuquerque, and when they do, revenue and jobs follow. In 2023 alone, the 82 productions in New Mexico generated $794 million in revenue and more than 551,000 worker days. In its first 10 years Mesa Film Studios is projected to have a $1.2 billion direct economic impact to the state.

And for those naysayers who would say this industry only enriches Hollywood folks, note that the co-owner of Mesa Film Studios is a fifth-generation New Mexican – Galen Walker – who has said he is committed to “boosting the state’s film industry, and bringing high-quality jobs to the greater Albuquerque area.”

It’s also important to point out that locating Mesa Film Studios near Double Eagle II is an investment in the long-term economic well-being of our city. Beyond the film industry, the Mesa Film Studios campus is sure to encourage not only flights into the airport but also additional development. City Aviation is ramping up infrastructure for other tenants.

The city’s Environmental Planning Commission will be considering Mesa Film Studio’s proposal on Dec. 19, and we at the Greater Albuquerque Chamber urge commissioners and the public to support this private-public partnership.

Mesa Film Studios is the kind of smart, private-sector development that diversifies our economy and provides solid careers and good livings for our residents.

Tom Jenkins is chairman of economic development teams for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Terri Cole is president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.