County Commission considering cutting funds for Topgolf

Bernalillo County Commissioners Tuesday will consider changing the terms of a 2018 job-growth deal that has not put as many people to work as originally expected.

A proposed change to the county’s economic development agreement with Topgolf International Inc. would lower both job goals and the payout to the company for achieving them.

Under the terms of the revised agreement, the county would pay Topgolf $168,670, provided it maintains 167 or more jobs at its Albuquerque location for five years, with at least 89 of those positions being full-time.

The agreement previously established targets of 132 full-time jobs and 200 positions in total, with the county agreeing to pay Topgolf $250,000.

Marcos Gonzales, the county’s executive development officer, wrote in the agenda that the COVID-19 pandemic and a national business model restructuring have kept the company from meeting the original terms, but the project offers a reasonable return on investment.

Topgolf in 2022 asked to amend the agreement and lower the job target. Negotiations since then brought the revised agreement to the table.

Commissioners will also consider supporting a proposed change in state law that aims to raise wages for employees who work for companies that receive state economic development money.

House Bill 6 would require companies that benefit from industrial revenue bonds issued by local governments to pay prevailing wages as determined by local collective bargaining agreements.

If the bill passes the Legislature, the rules would mirror those related to workers employed in constructing public buildings, public works or public roads.

Sponsors of the legislation include House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque.