SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By State of NM
Governor Susana Martinez announced that Albuquerque data science company RS21 will expand operations, creating up to 80 new high-tech jobs. RS21 will also invest more than $2 million to expand and renovate its headquarters in Downtown Albuquerque, reinvigorating the iconic Occidental Life building. The move brings new life to a prominent New Mexico feature with a storied history going back over a century.
“I’m proud to say that we’re helping yet another local, high-tech company expand and create high-quality jobs in our State, while also helping to bring new vibrancy to Albuquerque’s downtown,” said Governor Martinez. “Since 2011, we’ve created and expanded economic development tools to help our homegrown companies thrive and the results we are seeing are incredible.”
RS21 is expanding and renovating its headquarters location in the historic Occidental Life Building, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary at the heart of downtown Albuquerque last year. Through this expansion, RS21 will fill the building with over 100 new data scientists, developers, UI/UX designers, and other experts in emerging tech fields. From its Albuquerque headquarters, RS21 already counts top federal agencies and Fortune 100 brands among its clients.
“RS21 is a homegrown Albuquerque company,” said President and founder Charles Rath. “The idea that became RS21 was conceived inside the fence at Sandia National Labs, and grew thanks to our local tech transfer programs. Albuquerque business leaders invested to make the idea a reality. And we’re hiring Albuquerque talent, including bringing New Mexicans back home from out-of-state. We’re putting Albuquerque up against the best of the best with projects in DC, New York, London, and all over the world. I’m confident in our future, and we don’t plan to stop with our first 100 jobs. I believe that this is the model for Albuquerque’s future, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
A hallmark in New Mexico’s innovation ecosystem, RS21 is a leading data science and visualization company. RS21 launched in 2015 and has since grown 680 percent.
“Start-ups play a critical role in job creation and diversification in our economy. We are impressed by RS21’s growth trajectory and future prospects,” said Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Matt Geisel. “Through the business-friendly reforms of Governor Martinez, we continue to drive positive outcomes for our homegrown companies and our business-friendly climate encourages companies to not only choose New Mexico, but to stay and grow here.”
“I am proud that Resilient Solutions 21 has decided to expand its operations in Bernalillo County. As a result of this grant, residents of Bernalillo County will be able to apply for new high wage jobs,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Quezada. “I urge my fellow Commissioners to support Resilient Solutions 21’s State LEDA application request.”
The State of New Mexico will provide up to $800,000 for the expansion through the state’s closing fund, known as LEDA. Bernalillo County will act as the fiscal agent for the LEDA award. LEDA helps recruit new businesses to our state while helping those that are already here to thrive. Nearly zeroed out when Governor Martinez took office, she fought to grow this important tool to more than $56 million.
Since 2011, Governor Martinez has bolstered economic development tools, cut taxes and fees 61 times, and rolled back unnecessary regulations and red tape to create a business-friendly environment in New Mexico. Governor Martinez also established the Catalyst Fund, Innovation Vouchers, the SBIR Matching Grant, and the Credit Enhancement Program to accelerate and engender the growth of homegrown New Mexico technology startups. As a result of these tools, reforms, and investments, New Mexico continues to recruit global and national companies like Facebook, Keter Plastic, Safelite and others, while helping homegrown businesses like Ideum, UbiQD, Descartes Labs, Vitality Works and others grow and thrive as well.
