Our new managing editor looks at where ABQ's business community has been and where it's going

Starting a career at Albuquerque Business First in 2008 marked an interesting time to be at a local online and print business publication, and that’s an understatement.

That was the year JP Morgan bought Bear Stearns for $2 a share; the feds took control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; Bank of America acquired Merrill Lynch while Wells Fargo picked up Wachovia; bankruptcy came to Lehman Brothers; the acronym TARP was in huge point size on every newscast; and the government officially declared what…

Veteran ABF staffer tapped as managing editor

Damon Scott has been named Albuquerque Business First’s managing editor, effective April 20.

As managing editor, Scott will oversee the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, which includes supervising the creation of our Afternoon Edition news email and weekly edition.

“Damon is a skilled and competitive newshound, a resource and support for his teammates, and a leader in our newsroom,” said Editor-in-Chief Rachel Sams.”It’s been a delight to work with him and see him grow as a journalist over…

Terra Group’s Park Grove development harmful to business, Coconut Grove Bank lawsuit alleges

Miami-based Coconut Grove Bank filed a lawsuit against 2701 Bayshore Ventures LLC, an affiliate of the Terra Group and the Related Group , seeking to halt work on its Park Grove condominium project.

The complaint alleges that the company is in violation of the lease agreement signed following the bank’s sale of its property to the developer. The bank is seeking an injunction on development and construction until the alleged lease violation is settled.

The complaint alleges that the actions of…

Toyota, Kia plants in Mexico to fuel demand for Eagle Ford natural gas

Two new automotive plants being built south of the border are being regarded as good news for natural gas producers in the Eagle Ford shale.

A report from the Nikkei Asian Review revealed that Toyota is building an automotive plant in Guanajuato in 2019 that is expected to produce 200,000 Toyota Corollas per year.

Got Energy? Sign up for our Energy Inc. newsletter here

Similarly, Kia Motors Corp. is building an automotive manufacturing plant in Monterrey. Both automotive plants are expected…

Tom Steyer will try again to make climate change top election issue

Billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer plans to spend millions of dollars to make climate change a top-tier issue in the 2016 presidential election.

The former hedge fund manager spent $70 million on the 2014 congressional elections, with mixed results.

But Chris Lehane, the chief strategist for Steyer’s NextGen Climate political action committee, told reporters in a conference call Monday that Steyer still has “significant resources” and will “spend what it takes” on the 2016 presidential…