Economic Development
A City Ready to Grow
Belen is a city ready to grow. Located at the southern end of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area and only a 30-minute drive from New Mexico's largest urban city, Belen services a local population of more than 21,000 residents, including more than 7,200 of its own residents.
Transportation Infrastructure
Belen is located along Interstate 25 (I-25) and is a major hub for several highways that cross New Mexico -- 314, 47 and 116. With three interstate interchanges and acres of available land in the valley and our western mesa, Belen is the most accessible city in Valencia County. We have one of the largest rail yards in the State of New Mexico, owned and operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF), which is one of Valencia County's biggest employers, servicing trans-continental trains with fuel, maintenance and logistics. Rail has run strong in the life of Belen since the turn of the 20th Century. In addition to BNSF, Belen is also home to the southern stop for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, a commuter train that runs north through Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Belen is also home to Valencia County's only municipal airport, fully equipped with crosswind runways and a fuel station for aircraft, plus a number of hangers and aviation business. Our airport has seen millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements in recent years and is currently the proud site of one of New Mexico's most important military training operations with the United States Air Force.
Major Businesses
Belen's economy has been built strongly around our local industrial partners, which includes manufacturing ranging from desiccants and rock crushers to construction grade concrete and sheet metal fabrication. Transportation also plays an important role as Belen is home to major operations of BNSF and the United States Air Force. Together, these businesses and operations have created hundreds of jobs in Belen. Belen also has a robust service and retail market grounded in local mom-and-pop businesses, but also providing the conveniences of chains like Walmart, Walgreens, McDonald's and much more.
Quality of Life
No city is complete without the fabric created by its dedication to quality of life. Belen is a historic and cultural community, founded in 1740 as Nuestra Senora de Belen and continuing to hold true to its earliest traditions. Whether its our premier sports park offering everything from baseball and soccer fields to tennis and skateboarding, our indoor natatorium, our historic Harvey House museum, our public library and great school, or our wonderful local restaurants serving up the finest New Mexican dishes, Belen has done well to keep its small town charm while supporting sustainable growth that makes our city thrive.