Lujan Grisham Calls on Intel to Donate Tax Savings to NM Communities

Press Release

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham today called on Intel Corporation to contribute tax savings to a fund that would help local communities in New Mexico recover from the economic impact of recent lay-offs.

"Intel stands to benefit the most from Governor Martinez's corporate tax breaks that were supposed to create manufacturing jobs," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "Unfortunately, New Mexico is losing jobs, and Intel has reduced its workforce in Rio Rancho by hundreds of employees since the tax breaks went into effect.

"My hope is Intel will be a good corporate neighbor and contribute the savings it is realizing from those tax breaks to a special fund that helps the community replace the lost jobs," Rep. Lujan Grisham said.

The Governor pushed the for the tax breaks in 2013, while promising they would lead to more jobs, particularly at Intel. Since then, Intel has dramatically reduced its workforce. According to media reports, Intel will lay off an additional 215 employees this year as part of a company-wide restructuring. That's on top of 400 employees who left the Rio Rancho plant last year.

Most Intel employees live in Rio Rancho and surrounding communities, including Albuquerque, Bernalillo and Placitas. In addition, the company spent more than $210 million in 2015 on small businesses, including contract employees based throughout the Metro area.

"As Intel downsizes, the economy of this entire region suffers," Rep. Lujan Grisham said. "While Intel has chipped in to local economic development efforts, they could be doing much more in light of the continued lay-offs."

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