On July 18, 2023, the state of New Mexico announced that film, television and digital media production spending in the state had exceeded $2.2 billion over the past three fiscal years. Additionally, the industry's wages reached a record high, with communities outside of Albuquerque and Santa Fe seeing a notable 150% increase in spending accordion to a press release from the office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
“Now we need to take this momentum and invest in our workforce so New Mexicans can tap into these opportunities, learn new skills and continue to thrive,” former Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
The New Mexico Film Office reported that for the period between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, the industry spent over $794 million in the state. Furthermore, industry wages are at a record high, with median hourly wages for workers increasing by 21% to $35.51 in the past 12 months. Notably, rural communities outside the Albuquerque/Santa Fe Corridor experienced a substantial boost, with a 150% increase in direct spending from $6.5 million in FY21 to $16.5 million in FY23, reflecting the state's efforts to enhance opportunities in these areas according to the release.
“New Mexico has built a strong foundation for this industry – not just at the new studios and stages rising in the metro areas, but throughout the state with our scenic locations and film-friendly communities,” said Keyes in the release.
“The investments in New Mexico by the film and media industry are delivering higher wages and creating cascading positive economic impacts in communities large and small across the state,” said Grisham. “Our continued efforts to create a thriving and robust film industry means more money in the pockets of New Mexico families and businesses.”
“We are building our film, television and digital media ecosystem from the ground up, with a particular focus on staying competitive and not just being relevant but leading the way into the next frontier of how content is made,” New Mexico Film Office Director Amber Dodson added to the press release. “Our best-in-class incentive, workforce, training programs, and soon, the film academy, are all essential to generating opportunity, access, and prosperity for New Mexican residents and businesses, which are the foundation of our sustainable, thriving industry.”