Albuquerque is one step closer to being the home to a new film studio after city councilors approved millions for the project during their meeting Monday.
Councilors unanimously passed an ordinance that would issue $7 million in city and state funds for a new film and television production campus for Mesa Film Studios LLC on Albuquerque’s West Mesa near Double Eagle II Airport.
While three residents urged councilors to vote down the bill arguing that there was no tribal consultation on the project, Economic Development Director Max Gruner confirmed the city went through the proper tribal consultation process.
Manny Manriquez, deputy director of Innovation and Commercial Development for the city’s Aviation Department, said they have followed the rules in terms of tribal notification and are working with Terry Sloan, the city’s intergovernmental tribal liaison.
“We intend to do this outreach and talk to as many of the tribal groups as we are able to before Mesa Film Studios’ site plan goes to the [Environmental Planning Commission] later on this fall,” Manriquez said. “We have an open-door policy.”
Manriquez also said they are scheduling meetings with Laguna Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo and other tribal entities.
Read more about tribal consultation here.
The project would be more than 285,000 square feet across 60 acres.
The city will issue $1 million in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds and the remaining $6 million will come from state LEDA funds.
Bernalillo County is set to issue $186 million in industrial revenue bonds for the construction project.
Read more about the project here.
Funding for new solar project
Councilors also unanimously passed an ordinance that would issue $11 million for a new Ebon Solar LLC facility in Mesa Del Sol.
The city will provide $1 million in LEDA funds and the remaining $10 million will come from state LEDA funds.