New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, NBCUniversal executives, and other civic and industry leaders cut the ribbon on NBCUniversal’s New Mexico production facility.
“I am thrilled to formally open the NBCUniversal’s New Mexico production facility,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Despite the pandemic, we’ve had one of our best and most productive years — if not our very best year ever — with the film and television industry. This industry has leapt back to life because they have put safety first — and they will help our state recovery economically as we put the pandemic behind us. NBCUniversal chose New Mexico because we are good for good business. I couldn’t be more excited about our growing partnership and their efforts to provide innovative workforce development and mentorship initiatives to New Mexicans in the industry.”
“NBCUniversal is thankful for the support of Governor Lujan Grisham, Mayor Keller, the New Mexico Legislature, and the Albuquerque City Council,” said Veronica Sullivan, SVP, Head of Global Production External Affairs, NBCUniversal. “We are proud of what we have accomplished so far through our venture with the Garcia family and look forward to growing our production profile across the state, contributing to the continued development of the talented New Mexico workforce.”
“Albuquerque is on solid footing to become one of the largest high-tech and sustainable film production centers in North America,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Bringing NBCUniversal to town, and half a billion dollars in direct production spend, supports long-term careers for our talented, local film industry workforce and has an incredible impact on local businesses. We’ll continue to craft smart partnerships and champion our innovative and diverse Albuquerque community as we work to permanently secure our place as a world-class production hub.”
The State of New Mexico Economic Development Department committed $7.7 million through the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) and the City of Albuquerque pledged another $3 million from its LEDA fund to the public-private partnership.
“New Mexico is a production hub with a well-established and ever-expanding ecosystem. We are excited to finally cut the ribbon on NBCUniversal’s state-of-the-art production facility,” said Alicia J. Keyes, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Economic Development Department. “The film and television industry injects millions of dollars of outside money into the state’s economy, employs thousands of New Mexicans with well-paying jobs, directly benefits adjacent industries through the procurement of goods and services from New Mexico businesses, and is putting our state on the map globally as a place to live and work. The film and television industry is a win for New Mexico.”
In June of 2019, NBCUniversal signed a 10-year lease with Garcia Realty and Development for production space in Albuquerque. The deal turned the empty Martineztown warehouse into a state-of-the-art television and film studio with two sound stages, offices, and a mill. The company also committed to $500 million in direct production spend over the next 10 years and 330 full-time equivalent jobs, a total economic impact of $1.1 billion over 10 years. The total number of jobs, direct and indirect, should exceed 800 jobs annually, according to an economic analysis by the state.
As part of its commitment to New Mexico, NBCUniversal is contributing $55,000 annually to workforce development programs. In 2020, it was announced that NBCUniversal will be deploying its signature Directors Shadowing Program that provides mentoring to local up-and coming film and television professionals. The first New Mexico resident to participate in the program has been selected. The filmmaker will begin work on the MacGruber series this summer, more details to be announced soon.
In 2019, Governor Lujan Grisham signed into law an incentive program that positions New Mexico to successfully compete on a global scale to attract film, television, and multimedia production to the state. The law incorporated a novel partnership opportunity for studios and producers that commit to doing business in New Mexico for one decade or more. The legislation is intended to further build New Mexico’s film, television, and multimedia production ecosystem. New Mexico’s incentive program also encourages productions to hire New Mexico talent and crew as well as to source goods and services from New Mexico businesses. NBCUniversal’s ongoing investments are a realization of New Mexico’s strategic efforts to expand its film and television industry.
About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a premium ad-supported streaming service. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About Universal Television
Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is one of the largest and most successful television production companies in the United States. The studio currently produces more than 50 primetime comedies and dramas as well as late-night programs for a variety of network, cable and digital platforms. Acclaimed series produced by Universal Television include “Russian Doll,” “Never Have I Ever,” “Little America,” “Master of None,” “Hacks,” “Mr. Mayor,” “Young Rock,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Saved by the Bell,” “New Amsterdam,” “Good Girls,” “The Equalizer,” “The Bold Type” and Dick Wolf’s enormously successful “Law & Order,” “Chicago” and “FBI”-branded series.
About the New Mexico Film Office
The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) is a state agency, under the office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Economic Development Department. NMFO markets the entire state of New Mexico for film, television, commercial, and multimedia production. NMFO fosters the development of New Mexico’s world-class crew and local talent, promotes the treasure trove of unique locations across New Mexico, as well as local vendors and industry support services. NMFO administers and advocates for the film incentive program and services and supports productions by facilitating communication and networking between state and local officials, and a state-wide network of film liaisons. New Mexico offers a 25% – 35% tax credit back on spend on New Mexico’s cast, crew, goods, services and more. In 2021, two New Mexico cities were named on Movie Maker Magazine’s ‘Best Places to Live and Work as a MovieMaker’ and is home away from home to Netflix and NBCUniversal.
