Podcast 240: Small Town, Big Tech with Victoria Archuleta

26 Oct 2026 — 4 min read

Episode 240 of the Econ Dev Show Podcast is out. Listen now.

In this episode Dane Carlson talks with Victoria Archuleta, Senior Economic Development Director for the Village of Los Lunas, New Mexico, about what happens when a small community starts attracting some very big companies.

Located just south of Albuquerque, Los Lunas has grown from a quiet bedroom community into an industrial powerhouse, with major investments from Meta, Amazon, and companies working in advanced technology and energy. Victoria shares how the village is managing that growth, why its first economic development strategic plan was a game changer, and how infrastructure limitations, particularly electricity and transportation, can make or break major projects.

They also discuss the importance of building on a community's existing strengths, engaging residents in economic development decisions, supporting local businesses, and balancing industrial expansion with small-town character.

It's a conversation about punching above your weight, planning for the growth you want, and discovering that sometimes the biggest obstacle to economic development isn't attracting companies. It's having the infrastructure ready when they arrive.

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Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

1. Build your strategy around what makes your community different. Los Lunas benefits from New Mexico's longstanding strengths in scientific research, military installations, and advanced technology. Identify the assets, institutions, industries, and geographic advantages that distinguish your community, then target businesses that need those particular strengths rather than chasing every emerging industry.

2. Make infrastructure readiness part of your recruitment strategy. Los Lunas has reached the finalist stage on major projects only to lose opportunities because electricity couldn't be delivered quickly enough. Work directly with electric, gas, water, and wastewater providers to understand current capacity, expansion costs, and realistic delivery timelines before a prospect comes calling.

3. Create a strategic plan that actually influences decisions. Los Lunas recently adopted its first economic development strategic plan, a 119-page document developed with Better City. It identifies specific targets, including aerospace, defense technologies, health and biosciences, and logistics. Use strategic planning to prioritize industries, infrastructure investments, and economic development activities over the next five to ten years.

4. Don't underestimate how much your community wants to participate. Los Lunas received nearly 600 responses to its strategic planning survey and held three town halls, including a community visioning workshop. Invite residents, business owners, and people living in surrounding unincorporated areas into the process. Their priorities may differ from yours, but those concerns can reveal important barriers to growth.

5. Treat transportation as an economic development issue. Traffic emerged as one of the biggest concerns during Los Lunas's strategic planning process. The village is pursuing a major interchange and bridge project to improve connectivity. Coordinate with public works and transportation officials so that road capacity, commuting patterns, and freight access are considered alongside industrial recruitment.

6. Look for the next generation of businesses your existing employers can attract. Meta's presence has created opportunities for Los Lunas to pursue related suppliers and supply-chain businesses. Pacific Fusion's component manufacturing operation presents another opportunity to build on the regional technology ecosystem. Map the suppliers, service providers, and complementary industries associated with your existing employers, then use those relationships to develop new recruitment targets.

7. Connect major employers with small, locally owned businesses. Victoria describes how Meta orders dozens of donuts from a local bakery, illustrating how major employers can support smaller businesses throughout a community. Help local companies identify procurement opportunities with large employers, encourage local purchasing relationships, and make sure economic development benefits extend beyond the industrial park.

8. Educate residents about what economic development does—and doesn't—control. Residents frequently ask Victoria to bring retailers such as Chick-fil-A and Whataburger to Los Lunas. She uses those conversations to explain the distinction between industrial economic development and retail growth driven by population and market demand. Clearly communicate your organization's responsibilities, priorities, and limitations so that residents understand what you're working to accomplish.

9. Strengthen regional partnerships and workforce pipelines. Los Lunas works with the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and benefits from proximity to institutions including the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, and New Mexico Tech. Develop strong relationships with regional economic development partners and educational institutions to support employer recruitment, workforce preparation, and emerging industry opportunities.

10. Don't let business attraction overshadow retention and expansion. Meta's continued expansion in Los Lunas demonstrates the value of maintaining relationships with existing employers. Victoria emphasizes that economic development isn't just about attracting companies; it's also about retaining, developing, and supporting businesses of every size. Make regular employer conversations, expansion support, and attention to existing business needs part of your economic development work.

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CEO of Sitehunt, the AI platform for economic development, site selection and RFI automation. Host and publisher of the Econ Dev Show. In Houston, Texas.