Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc. (IPMI) is driving economic growth in Albuquerque. The for-profit corporation, owned by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, is growing its business and cultural corridor, anchored by the Albuquerque Indian School District, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Avanyu Plaza.Avanyu Plaza began with the first Native American licensed freestanding Starbucks in the nation, which opened in 2015, followed by Laguna Burger. The nearly 5,000-square-foot Starbucks Coffee features Pueblo-inspired architecture and handmade Pueblo pottery and art.Now IPMI, which was founded in 1976 to provide economic opportunities for Pueblo and Native artists, is adding two significant projects. IPMI will break ground on a 92-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott on November 20. Also in late November, IPMI will put shovels to earth to begin construction of the Avanyu Plaza North, a 30,000-square-foot development slated for completion by December 2019.“Avanyu Plaza is destined to be a Business & Cultural Corridor like no other, right in the heart of Albuquerque north of I-40,” IPMI states. The vibrant business center will host dozens of enterprises including office and commercial tenants, a state-of-the-art conference center, lodging, retail operations, food service, and security operations.“The project will have far-reaching benefits for Albuquerque and will set a new standard for collaboration between local and tribal governments working toward mutually beneficial development,” states the Avanyu Plaza site.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlIi4QMtV7cThe four-story Marriott marks Indian Pueblos’ second foray into the hotel business. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque Historic Old Town is situated in Avanyu Plaza across the street from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The Marriott is expected to create 75 construction jobs and nearly two dozen hotel jobs once doors open. The Marriot will also house an eatery called Sixty-Six Acres by local restaurateur Myra Ghattas.