Albuquerque tech entrepreneurs have a new place to gather and find potential opportunities.
Officials celebrated the grand opening Thursday of Q Station, a facility designed to allow aerospace, directed energy and related tech companies to work with government entities and private industry. It will house "ongoing programs and services" for tech companies, according to a Q Station release.
Q Station is in Nob Hill at 3225 Central Ave. It provides users with communications technology for a hybrid work environment, a coworking space and "temporary free space" to out-of-state companies, international companies and local startups working on space and directed energy technologies that seek to grow or expand in New Mexico.
The organization's founding partners include the Air Force Research Laboratory, the city of Albuquerque's Economic Development Department, New Mexico Tech, the New Mexico Trade Alliance, NewSpace New Mexico and Global Ties ABQ, the release says.
The Trade Alliance is Q Station's program manager and was awarded a $750,000 SPRINT grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The grant will go toward the purchase of communications technology for Q Station and provide funding for programing and internship opportunities for New Mexico university students, according to the release.
“This grant award is an example of how collaborative work among partners in the City of Albuquerque can lead to long term economic growth and opportunities for our community. We look forward to working with the EDA and our partners to bring high-wage jobs and new industry to New Mexico,” said Randall Trask, president of the New Mexico Trade Alliance, in a statement.
City officials touted Albuquerque's aerospace sector, which includes companies such as The Aerospace Corp., Ball Aerospace and Theia Group.
“We’re thrilled we’ve been able to partner with the Q Station on the EDA grant, and support its overall mission to further solidify Albuquerque’s status as a leader in the aerospace sector,” said Synthia Jaramillo, director of the city's Economic Development Department, in a statement. “Albuquerque will continue to focus on recruiting in key industries such as space technology as part of our economic development strategy.”
