Home » Why Metro NM » Why Metro NM: Business Friendly Climate

Other Advantages

Build to Suit

All the communities in Metro New Mexico will help deliver a building quickly, even where no building exists. For example, Sprint PCS' 90,000-square-foot building in Rio Rancho was ready for occupancy in 82 days. In contrast to the typical process of architect design and bidding out construction, the design/build approach:

  • brings the sub-contractors into the design process
  • uses contractor insights and shared perspectives at the design stage to get the building underway fast
  • gets the building built right
  • is characterized by a single point of responsibility
  • includes assistance with permitting and fast-track applications.
To learn more about Build-to-Suit opportunities for a particular area, please contact the Alliance Member for that community.

International Trade

New Mexico's exports to Mexico and other countries continue to increase. To strengthen international trade relations with Mexico, the European Union and Asia, the Office of Economic Development established the International Trade Division (ITD) in 2004.

The division helps Albuquerque companies sell goods and services, particularly scientific and technical services, in foreign markets and attract foreign investment into Albuquerque.

Foreign Trade Zones

Albuquerque and Rio Rancho have Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) near their business districts and distribution facilities.

Since merchandise in a FTZ is considered outside U.S. Customs territory, FTZs have many benefits, such as:

  • eliminating duty on subsequently transshipped, re-exported, or destroyed goods
  • reducing duty on manipulated, processed, assembled, or manufactured goods
  • deferring duty on goods until they leave the zone

Further information on exporting, border issues, NAFTA, and New Mexico's export trade record are available online.

New Mexico 9000

The NM 9000 program is a year-long, affordable prep course for companies wishing to qualify ISO 9001:2000. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international certification and standard for quality-management practices. The demand for such certification grows yearly as the global economy becomes more integrated.

Since the state program started in 2000, 101 companies have graduated; of those, about 25 have gone on to obtain certification.