Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance’s (AREA) Senior Vice President, Chad Matheson, received the Economic Developer of the Year Award at the NM IDEA Winter Meeting on February 10, 2025.
This award, given in honor of longtime New Mexico economic development leader Chase Gentry, recognizes the outstanding efforts of a person who championed a major project that relocated, consolidated, or expanded in New Mexico during the preceding twelve months.
Upon receiving this award, Chad commented, “I am honored to be awarded as the Economic Developer of the year. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of not only AREA, but our entire economic development team in greater Albuquerque and New Mexico. Together, we are creating a brighter economic future. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our partners and stakeholders who have supported our initiatives, and I am humbled to play a role in the future of our state’s success.”
As the Senior Vice President overseeing AREA’s business development and research team, Chad played a vital role in securing Ebon Solar’s commitment to establishing a major manufacturing facility in greater Albuquerque. Last August, the company announced plans to build an approximately 834,000-square-foot solar cell manufacturing plant in the Mesa del Sol industrial area, bringing over 900 new jobs and an investment exceeding $900 million to the region.
The project, brought to AREA through the New Mexico Partnership and a leading national site selection consultancy, emerged from a nationwide search by site consultants. Chad led AREA’s efforts, dedicating significant time to facilitating and supporting the project—ranging from initial research and regional proposal development to organizing an in-depth multi-day site tour and coordinating two additional visits, all while maintaining continuous communication throughout the process.
In 2024, Chad also graduated from Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). OU EDI has been the primary professional training program for those in the business of economic development since its creation. Established in 1962, it is the only professional level program of its type in the United States, providing professional economic development professionals with up-to-date knowledge and tools necessary to succeed in today’s constantly changing economic development marketplace.
Jason Espinoza, Co-Owner of KW Consulting LLC and Executive Director for New Mexico IDEA said, “Chad dedicated extensive personal time outside of normal working hours to ensuring every request from the client was addressed, all partners were engaged, and our region put its collective best foot forward. We are thrilled that New Mexico IDEA can recognize economic developers like Chad and other awardees to raise awareness of the tremendous work happening in our state.”
###
New Mexico IDEA (NM IDEA)
New Mexico IDEA, a local non-profit that works to make positive changes in New Mexico’s competitive position to promote New Mexico’s economic growth, capital investment, and job creation.
About AREA
The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead and execute strategies designed to grow and diversify the economic base of the greater Albuquerque region, creating a prosperous, diverse and inclusive economy and elevating the standard of living for all. AREA provides confidential assistance to businesses considering the area for expansion and new investment. Since its creation in 1960, AREA has recruited more than 250 companies and more than 35,000 jobs to the Albuquerque metro area. AREA also provides retention and expansion assistance to existing industry. For more information, visit ABQ.org.