Governor Richardson Announces Fidelity Investments to Bring 1,250 New Jobs to New Mexico

Governor Bill Richardson announced Fidelity Investments will open a new operations center at Mesa Del Sol, just south of Albuquerque. The Massachusetts based company plans on bringing 1,250 new good-paying jobs to New Mexico over the next five years.

“I am happy to announce and celebrate yet another economic success story for the State of New Mexico,” Governor Bill Richardson said.

“Fidelity Investments is bringing its clout as a financial powerhouse to New Mexico where it will create 1,250 good-paying jobs. We worked hard to find this opportunity and then to go the extra mile to do everything needed so that New Mexico would be the definitive choice for Fidelity’s new operations center.”

Fidelity Investments has reached an agreement with Mesa Del Sol to occupy on a long-term leased basis, at a new 210,000 square foot facility that will be constructed on approximately 25 acres.

Their new facility will accommodate the expansion of Fidelity’s Human Resources Services business. Fidelity will begin establishing operations in the summer of 2008 at the University of New Mexico-owned Lockheed-Martin building, which the company will renovate and lease on an interim basis until the Mesa del Sol facility is completed later this year. At that time, Fidelity will vacate the Lockheed Martin facility and pass on more than $2 million in infrastructure renovations to UNM for its Student Success Center.

“The human resource services business represents a significant growth opportunity for Fidelity and our new site in Albuquerque is at the core of our strategy to compete in this $24 billion industry,” said Pat Goepel, president of Fidelity HR Services, which is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts. “We are thrilled by the cooperative effort, which uniquely positions Fidelity to establish the facility it needs to be a leader in this industry.”

“The investment in the community that Fidelity is making at the outset is a strong indicator of the kind of commitment the company has made to being a community partner for the long-term,” said UNM President David Schmidly. “Their presence means more jobs for UNM graduates, which will help us keep our best and brightest right here in New Mexico.”

Fidelity expects to employ approximately 300 people by the end of 2008. The majority of the jobs will be in customer and client services to support the payroll, health and welfare, and human resources services.

“Fidelity Investments chose New Mexico because of our pro-business attitude and dedicated, well-trained workforce,” stated Economic Development Secretary Designate Fred Mondragón. “These new jobs will help strengthen the vitality of the local business community and move the economy forward. Fidelity’s move creates an industry anchor that will dramatically enhance the opportunities for New Mexicans.”

“Fidelity represents a major commitment from a leading financ