THRIVE 21 Recovery Plan Outlines Six Strategies for Prosperity

June 24, 2021

Mayor Tim Keller and local economic development leaders launched the City’s comprehensive economic recovery plan at the THRIVE 21 Economic Development Summit on Thursday at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

“Toward a Healthy, Resilient, Innovative, and Vibrant Economy,” or THRIVE, is the City’s roadmap to the economic momentum Albuquerque experienced before the pandemic. The THRIVE 21 summit presented six educational panels that provided an overview of the plan’s six strategies: small and local business support; building a stronger, safer city; smart recruitment and retention; promoting Albuquerque as a great place to live and visit; developing a workforce for the post-pandemic economy, and downtown placemaking and redevelopment.

“While the crisis responses that we deployed last year to keep businesses afloat and help residents weather COVID-19 were desperately needed and highly effective, they were never intended as a one-and-done,” said Mayor Keller. “We knew then we’d need a comprehensive, longer term recovery plan to make sure Albuquerque would be even stronger coming out of the pandemic than we were when it began. The THRIVE 21 plan will help us get there.”

The City’s Economic Development Department (EDD) led the development of the plan and organized this week’s summit. Panelists included Downtown revitalization experts; members of the Albuquerque Police Department; local representatives of the tourism industry; and heads of EDD’s Small Business Office and Minority Business Development Center.

“I am confident THRIVE 21 will live up to its name,” said EDD director Synthia R. Jaramillo, who served as a summit host and panelist. “Undoubtedly, there is significant work to be done, but this plan is an exciting and innovative blueprint for an equitable, prosperous, healthy, and safe future for all. It will provide residents with renewed hope for where we’re headed.”