One chapter in Albuquerque’s economic development story ends, another begins…

For over six years City Alive has been a way for Albuquerque to share ideas and take action to better support prosperity, equity, and economic justice across our beloved city. It was founded to connect the dots between economic development and community organizations to overcome major hurdles together.  

The City Alive initiative is now celebrating its completion. 

After six years, the initiative is wrapping up, and while we will no longer formally meet, the connections and programs we have built together will sustain. City Alive’s conclusion isn’t an end. Rather, it is the completion of one chapter and the beginning of another in Albuquerque's inclusive economic development story. 

The next chapter will be tough. Our city, state, and country will be rising to challenges we have never seen before—and because of our collaboration we are better prepared. The last six years have cultivated innovation, and promoted agility, adaptation, and a commitment to justice. We are now equipped to work in concert with each other during a time when new ideas, new programs, and new perspectives will see us through extraordinary transitions. 

In reflecting on the last six years, there are major strides to celebrate. Before the pandemic in December of 2019 the data showed that we had accomplished our collective 10 year vision (in a mere six years): creating 10,000 jobs, reducing unemployment to pre-recession rates, and raising the median wages above $934 per week. 

In addition to attaining the original goals, City Alive partners collectively raised $33.5 million dollars. Those funds supported organizations, programs, and infrastructure in Albuquerque's entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on homegrown businesses and closing gaps in business ownership and leadership with a focus on people of color. 

We also worked together to build and evolve programs that would meet the needs of Albuqeurque’s local businesses and promote equity and economic justice. 

Recognizing capital as one of the most significant and pervasive barriers, we collaborated on Co-op Capital, an award-winning program through Nusenda Credit Union in partnership with community organizations including Native Women Lead, Street Food Institute, South Valley Economic Development Center,  Partnership for Community Action, and more. Co-op Capital has provided over half a million dollars in loans to 100+ entrepreneurs. In response to the pandemic, the program is offered 0% interest loans to Albuquerque’s most economically vulnerable families and businesses.

Each organization collaborating through City Alive made aligned contributions, adapting programs, policies, and priorities to align with City Alive’s goal to bridge the gap in business ownership and leadership with a focus on people of color. Those aligned contributions can be found in our article series. 

Alongside facts and figures, we have been honored to share the stories of Albuquerque's incredible entrepreneurs through articles and award-winning videos. We loved spotlighting the power and potential of people throughout Albuquerque. We know that the strength of our people will endure.

A core lesson we learned through City Alive was that something as big as an economy doesn’t transform with the effort of one organization alone. Only through collective action, through the power of people working together, can we truly overcome. 

That lesson has forever changed how we, the City Alive partners, work. And while we bid this chapter a fond farewell, we know that the story and our work to support equity and prosperity in our economy will continue on.