Mattiace,Bill 4x5-1-3

William “Bill” Mattiace Named Executive Director of the New Mexico Border Authority

SANTA FE — New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela announced today that William “Bill” Mattiace was named executive director of the New Mexico Border Authority. Mattiace, who was appointed as More »

L to R: Mike Espiritu, Executive Director of Otero County Economic Development Council; Jon Barela, Secretary of New Mexico Economic Development Department; Francisco Alberto Rodarte, Owner of Snap Green Industries; Francisco Rodarte of Snap Green Industries

Snap Green Industries, LLC Will Establish Operations in Chaparral, New Mexico

Chaparral, New Mexico – Snap Green Industries, LLC, a plastics recycling company, will establish operations in Chaparral, New Mexico. This eight-year-old company currently has operations in Juarez, Mexico, and a warehouse in More »

ham-groundbreaking

Hanson Asset Management to Break Ground on its new Santa Teresa/Sunland Park Real Estate Development Project

Sunland Park, New Mexico – Hanson Asset Management, LP (HAM) will break ground on its new Santa Teresa/Sunland Park Real Estate Development on July 8, 2011 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. HAM More »

L to R: Ignacio Huerta, Owner & CEO of IECSA & Plastics; Jon Barela, New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Department

IECSA and Plastics, LLC Will Establish a Warehousing and Distribution Operation in Chaparral, New Mexico

 Chaparral, New Mexico – IECSA and Plastics, LLC, a distributor of plastics and recycled materials, will establish a warehousing and distribution operation in Chaparral, New Mexico. This eight-year-old company currently has distribution More »

0406b1_governor_vc

NM Gov. Susana Martinez signs Union Pacific tax bill in Santa Teresa

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez spoke Tuesday (April 4th) before signing three bills into law. (Victor Calzada / El Paso Times) With a stroke of a pen, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez More »

William “Bill” Mattiace Named Executive Director of the New Mexico Border Authority

Mattiace,Bill 4x5-1-3

SANTA FE — New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela announced today that William “Bill” Mattiace was named executive director of the New Mexico Border Authority. Mattiace, who was appointed as deputy director of the New Mexico Border Authority in July, will replace Jim Creek, who retired on November 4. The motion to name Mattiace as director was approved by the New Mexico Border Authority board during its meeting Monday.

Mattiace is the former mayor of Las Cruces, serving in that capacity from 2003 to 2007. He currently serves as chairman for the city/county regional Vision 2040 Advisory Committee, and is a former member of the New Mexico Partnership and Spaceport Community Advisory Committee.

“Bill Mattiace has extensive experience with border issues and a strong background in economic development and job creation,” Secretary Barela said. “Since serving as deputy director and formerly as mayor of Las Cruces, he has built strong relationships with our Mexican counterparts and has the knowledge and ability to improve commerce and trade at the border in this new capacity.”

The New Mexico Border Authority is an executive branch state agency that provides leadership in the development of the state’s international ports of entry as well as serving as the governor’s advisor and point of contact for those interested in opportunities at the ports of entry. The agency also facilitates new infrastructure, trade opportunities, job opportunities, job training capabilities and many other activities that contribute to development of a productive economy along the New Mexico border.

Governor Highlights Important Capital Projects in Santa Teresa

SANTA TERESA – Governor Susana Martinez visited Santa Teresa on November 2 to discuss two important capital projects that will improve vital infrastructure and support economic development efforts in the border region.

The two projects were included in the $86 million capital outlay bill that passed during September’s special legislative session. Governor Martinez visited Monarch Litho, Inc., a commercial printing company with facilities in both Santa Teresa and Juarez, to meet with employees and discuss the capital projects and other efforts to create a friendlier business environment and promote job creation along New Mexico’s southern border. She was joined by Economic Development Department Secretary-designate Jon Barela as well as members of the Border Industrial Association.

“There is incredible potential for economic development and job creation in the border region and throughout Southern New Mexico,” said Governor Martinez. “In order to realize that potential, we must provide ample infrastructure for businesses that are trying to grow and expand and companies that want to get off the ground here or relocate to our state. These two water projects are vital to retaining and supporting businesses that already exist in Doña Ana County and will provide an even greater incentive to out-of-state companies that are considering moving their operations to New Mexico. I am grateful for the leadership of Senator Pete Domenici in supporting and promoting these vital projects and I applaud the bi-partisan support they have received from our elected officials.”

Roughly $1.85 million of capital outlay legislation will fund water infrastructure projects in the Santa Teresa area. A total of $1.25 million will fund renovations to the area’s water supply and distribution system in order to increase available water and improve water pressure for industrial sites and other facilities in Santa Teresa and surrounding areas of Doña Ana County.

Another $600,000 will help to fund the construction of a wastewater treatment facility that will support the area’s growth and large scale development.

Ceremony Marks Completion of NRG Solar Facility in Santa Teresa

SANTA TERESA, NM – A construction project that created 240 jobs in Santa Teresa culminated with an inauguration ceremony to mark the start of energy production from the state’s second-largest photovoltaic operation on October 7.

“The completion of the Roadrunner solar facility is a major milestone for the New Mexico border region,” said Economic Development Secretary-designate Jon Barela. “This builds on all the momentum taking place in the region due to the coming together of many entities, including the Border Industrial Association, Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, NRG Energy, El Paso Electric and First Solar, for the economic development success of Santa Teresa and we are thrilled to have the Roadrunner solar project and this partnership here as a part of the community.”
NRG Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary NRG Solar, completed construction recently on the Roadrunner Solar Generating Facility, which is one of the first large-scale solar projects built in New Mexico. Cost-competitive, renewable power generated by the facility will be sold to El Paso Electric under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

“This new project is a good example of an economic development opportunity that is characterized by high-technology and a renewable resource that is plentiful in southern New Mexico – sun,” said Jerry Pacheco, Vice-President, Border Industrial Association. “We congratulate NRG Energy, El Paso Electric and First Solar on this milestone and the door it opens to new possibilities for our region.”

The Roadrunner Solar Generating Facility is located on 210 acres near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. Its 340,000 photovoltaic solar panels can produce up to 20 megawatts of electricity, which is enough power to supply 6,600 homes in El Paso Electric’s system.

The Roadrunner facility will use a single-axis tracking system, which pivots PV solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day, increasing electricity production compared with a fixed tilt installation. The panels were made by First Solar Inc., which built the Santa Teresa plant for NRG, and also has a contract to operate and maintain the facility.

NRG Solar started construction in December 2010.

Snap Green Industries, LLC Will Establish Operations in Chaparral, New Mexico

L to R: Mike Espiritu, Executive Director of Otero County Economic Development Council; Jon Barela, Secretary of New Mexico Economic Development Department; Francisco Alberto Rodarte, Owner of Snap Green Industries; Francisco Rodarte of Snap Green Industries

Chaparral, New Mexico – Snap Green Industries, LLC, a plastics recycling company, will establish operations in Chaparral, New Mexico. This eight-year-old company currently has operations in Juarez, Mexico, and a warehouse in El Paso, Texas.  Its new operation in Chaparral will recycle different types of plastics such as polyethylene and PET to produce a variety of production inputs that are environmentally friendly.  In the first phase, the company will construct a 4,000-square-foot building. In the second phase, the company will construct a 20,000-square-foot industrial building. Within three years, the company will create approximately 40 new jobs. 

Hanson Asset Management to Break Ground on its new Santa Teresa/Sunland Park Real Estate Development Project

ham-groundbreaking

Sunland Park, New Mexico – Hanson Asset Management, LP (HAM) will break ground on its new Santa Teresa/Sunland Park Real Estate Development on July 8, 2011 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. HAM and Desert View Homes recently purchased 458 acres from Verde Realty, which includes the four corners of McNutt Rd. and Pete Domenici Highway in what was previously referred to as Project Checkpoint.

A Port In The Desert

By Bill Hume / For the Journal on Mon, Jun 27, 2011

SUNLAND PARK – Santa Teresa “will become a key inland port in the United States” when Union Pacific Railroad’s massive $500 million refueling and intermodal yard is completed there in five years, according to Zoe Richmond, UP’s director of public affairs for Arizona and New Mexico.

“Think of it as a chicken coop for trains,” Richmond said.

It will be a major refueling, crew change, switch yard and intermodal ramp for UP’s busy Sunset Corridor, from Los Angeles-Long Beach through to Chicago and across the nation.

EP Electric Names NMSU Alum Clay Doyle VP of Transmission and Distribution

Clay Doyle

A Las Cruces Sun-News report

LAS CRUCES – El Paso Electric has appointed Robert Clay Doyle to serve as vice president of transmission and distribution. In that position, Doyle – who most recently has been vice president of New Mexico affairs – will oversee the transmission and distribution divisions, which include substations, transmission and distribution design, operations, construction and maintenance.

Doyle has been with El Paso Electric since 1992 and has served in various capacities including manager of the corporate projects office, project manager of corporate transition to competition, supervisor of distribution dispatch and distribution monitoring engineer. He earned a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University and is a registered professional engineer in New Mexico and holds certification as a project management professional. Doyle has been a fund raising team leader for the local affiliates of Habitat for Humanity, the Kiwanis Clubs of Las Cruces and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. He also is an active participant with the Boy Scouts of America and serves on the board of the Bridge of Southern New Mexico and the Board of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance.

IECSA and Plastics, LLC Will Establish a Warehousing and Distribution Operation in Chaparral, New Mexico

L to R: Ignacio Huerta, Owner & CEO of IECSA & Plastics; Jon Barela, New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Department

 Chaparral, New Mexico – IECSA and Plastics, LLC, a distributor of plastics and recycled materials, will establish a warehousing and distribution operation in Chaparral, New Mexico. This eight-year-old company currently has distribution operations in Juarez, Mexico, and is also involved in environmental consulting.  Its new operation in Chaparral will supply plastics and recycled material to the industrial base in El Paso, Texas and southern New Mexico.  In the first phase, the company will construct a 15,000-square-foot industrial building on two acres, which will be staffed by 12 full-time employees. 

NM Gov. Susana Martinez signs Union Pacific tax bill in Santa Teresa

0406b1_governor_vc

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez spoke Tuesday (April 4th) before signing three bills into law. (Victor Calzada / El Paso Times)

With a stroke of a pen, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday started the wheels rolling for a proposed $400 million Union Pacific rail facility in Santa Teresa.

Martinez, appearing in a Santa Teresa warehouse filled with politicians and area business people, signed recently passed state legislation exempting Union Pacific from paying locomotive fuel tax so the railroad company will develop the new facility.

The locomotive fueling station and intermodal freight yard are expected to create 3,000 jobs during four years of construction and bring 600 permanent jobs, Union Pacific officials have said.

Legislative Recap

nm-legislature

HB 24 (Overweight bill):

This bill passed both houses and is sitting on the governor’s desk waiting for her signature.  Because this bill was endorsed by the governor during the session, it is a given that she will sign this.  After signature, this bill will become law on July 1st.