The rating on Albuquerque, N.M.'s GO taxable baseball stadium bonds reflects: An expanding and diverse economic base, Low debt levels, and Stable financial operations. Albuquerque, with a population of 448,607, is New Mexico's largest city and economic center. Services and trade (56% of labor force), government (19%), and manufacturing (8%) represent the economic core of the area. Total employment growth in the late-1990s slowed from the strong performance earlier in the decade. However, unemployment rates in the city (3.5%) remain below state (5.5%) and national (3.9%) averages. Among the leading area employers are Kirtland Air Force Base, various health care providers, Intel Corp., the University of New Mexico, and Sandia National Labs. Wealth levels in the city are slightly above
