BlueHalo selects Albuquerque for its new advanced manufacturing, research and technology complex – City of Albuquerque

July 20, 2021

BlueHalo, an integrated national security and technology company, selected the Max Q site in Albuquerque for a new state-of-the-art campus to facilitate BlueHalo’s production acceleration and long-term commitment to invest in New Mexico and to create wage manufacturing jobs, the company announced today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Tim Keller.

The Max Q location, at Gibson and Carlisle Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87117, was selected as the site for the company’s new 200,000 square foot New Mexico campus. The development will bring hundreds of BlueHalo employees to Albuquerque into a consolidated ecosystem. Its decision to expand to New Mexico over other locations preserves the 260 existing jobs in New Mexico and creates 64 additional jobs with an average salary of $ 90,000.

The total economic impact of the project with existing and expanded operations is $ 3.2 billion over the next 10 years.

“Albuquerque is a national leader in the research and development of directed space and energy technologies and the word is if you work in these industries, this is the place to be,” said Mayor Tim Keller . “Our city is an ideal location for the new BlueHalo campus, thanks to our strong partnerships with Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia Labs, Air Force Research Laboratories, as well as our highly skilled workforce and our unmatched quality of life. ”

“High-quality, well-paying careers, massive economic impact for our state and the metropolitan area, significant capital investment – this is the kind of economic expansion and partnership that can get New Mexicans excited, ”said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. said, “Improving economic security and expanding opportunities for New Mexicans is what this administration will continue to promote, and BlueHalo represents a great investment in our continued efforts to diversify and accelerate our economy. “

“BlueHalo’s new state-of-the-art technology campus will host the kind of innovation that we do so well in New Mexico. Throughout my years in the House of Representatives and the Senate, I have been proud to support New Mexico’s growing role as a leader in emerging defense and space technologies, and new careers. that bring to our state, ”said US Senator Martin Heinrich. “The ecosystem we created, both inside and outside the Kirtland Air Force Base Fence, has become the perfect place for leading innovators like BlueHalo to take root. “

“We are delighted with the selection of the Max Q site for our new franchise technology campus in Albuquerque,” ​​said Jonathan Moneymaker, CEO of BlueHalo. “This site represents BlueHalo’s long-term commitment to New Mexico and will not only improve the company’s ability to support Kirtland Air Force Base current and future programs, but will also serve as a major hub throughout. BlueHalo Labs’ national infrastructure designed to fuel future innovations to solve some of the most complex technological problems and bring them to full production, putting real capacity in the hands of those who need it most.

The new space includes an office complex, laboratories, manufacturing facilities, testing areas and secure spaces. BlueHalo will manufacture several critical products at the new facility in support of space, directed energy, and air and missile defense for government and commercial customers.

The New Mexico Department of Economic Development (EDD) awarded BlueHalo $ 2.25 million from its LEDA Job Creation Fund. The City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department has pledged $ 250,000 through its LEDA fund and will also act as a tax agent for state funding. BlueHalo will also ask for an industrial tax liability (IRB). All incentives are pending and subject to Albuquerque City Council approval.

“Albuquerque has key strengths that make it a low-cost, high-value magnet for the aerospace and high-tech manufacturing industry,” said Synthia R. Jaramillo, Director of the City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department. “We are thrilled that BlueHalo is part of the growing space economy in Albuquerque, bringing well-paying jobs and investments to our community. “

The company plans to invest $ 60 million in the site.

“New Mexico has a long tradition of promoting innovation and high-tech research,” said EDDCabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes. “The state’s partnership with BlueHalo will bring the next generation of innovation to the state, and with it, the highly skilled jobs the state needs to build wealth and diversify the economy.”

Albuquerque Economic Development, Inc. (AED), the region’s non-profit private sector economic development organization, provided technical assistance for the project.

“BlueHalo’s expansion of its current manufacturing facilities in the Albuquerque area illustrates the great opportunity here for companies in the aerospace and defense industry. The additional economic impact estimated at over $ 52 million in the first three years alone is solid proof that the support offered by the state and the city will benefit the local economy more than twentyfold, ”said Danielle Casey, President and CEO of AED. .

The BlueHalo Max Q site, developed by Thunderbird Kirtland Development LLC (TKD) and located adjacent to Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) on Gibson Blvd. SE, offers adequate space and an ideal location for the expanding business.

The BlueHalo team working at the New Mexico campus will focus on continued technological innovation and the rapid transition to manufacturing for space technologies in advanced radio frequency (RF) systems; Laser communications; and SpaceQualified electronics and systems, including Precision Stabilized Optics and Tracking (SPOT).

In addition, BlueHalo’s Directed Energy (DE) division, which includes its LOCUST DEWeapon system, key acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP) systems and advanced DE instrumentation solutions, will be developed and manufactured in the new complex. The expected completion date is October 2022.