Posts Tagged ‘Arizona’

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

By Samantha Roberts

When typing “New Mexico green” into a search engine, the first things to come up are websites on green chile. However, the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce is looking to make another green just as popular – green building, green businesses and green living.

New Mexico has been rated second best of the 50 states for solar power potential; behind Arizona however, in regard to capitalizing on this usage, the state falls next to last. To address this dilemma, the New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce is hosting a green conference, targeting businesses that are interested in sustainability practices and to help educate the public.

“Renewable energy and clean technology is a growing industry that will directly benefit southern New Mexico and more broadly,” said New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Oliver in regard to having the chamber’s upcoming Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Conference in Downtown Las Cruces. “We are not talking about urban areas or just Albuquerque. This technology will change all of New Mexico. We want to help showcase the benefits that can be accrued and job creation across the state.”

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at the Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main St.

“We are thrilled to hold the event in Las Cruces, especially in Downtown and at the Rio Grande Theatre,” said Elisa Cundiff, executive director of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. “Some of the people coming don’t make it to southern New Mexico very often, so we are excited to show them what we have.”  Cundiff said she is especially excited about some of the companies making an appearance at the conference, such as Intel, EMCORE Corp., CFV Solar Test Laboratory Inc. and many more. “These are incredible companies,” she said. “CFV is the leading research testing lab in the world.”

Oliver said the New Mexico Green Chamber is also attracted to the southern part of the state because of the supportive companies in the area. “Southern New Mexico has a lot of land and some great solar distributors,” he said. “There is a strong, vibrant Las Cruces chapter that is well-connected into the community and we wanted to make this a community-based event. That is why we chose Downtown, it’s the heart of a community.”

Oliver said he would like to see 150 people at the conference, and it’s looking to strong leaders to draw people in to the green issues. “If you are looking for who is helping lead the state, the advances at Sapphire Energy cannot go unnoticed,” he said. “New Mexico State University is very strong and there are great solar installers, such as Sunspot Solar Energy and Positive Solar Energy. There was just a really good rationale for having this event in Las Cruces, and we hope people come out and take advantage of the opportunity.”

Cundiff said the conference will consist of two events – an outdoor green business expo and the indoor panel discussions. “There will be 20 ‘vendors’ outside,” Cundiff said. “For example, Doña Ana Community College will be there to talk about renewable energy education. We want the event to be very interactive and fun.”

Also making an appearance at the conference will be the New Mexico Workforce Development green jobs bus. Feature speakers from Intel, EMCORE and 20 more expert panelists from industry, government, and research centers will also be in attendance.

“We encourage anyone or any business interested in making a switch to greener solutions or wanting to know more to come,” Cundiff said. “There will be a panel of all local business owners who have made the switch to green and will talk about how they are making money in the niche market.”

“This is a great opportunity for networking with like-minded people,” Oliver said.

Cundiff said conferences, such as this one, will help make New Mexico a leader in green technology and research. “We have some of the greatest labs right here,” she said, “but as soon as the technology is developed, the programs are sold and developed in the Silicon Valley. I want to move them back to New Mexico.”

Cundiff said part of this problem is also in politics, and a panel, including state Sen. Steve Fischmann, will also be there Sept. 30 to discuss what needs to happen. “Public land is an on-going issue,” Cundiff said. “We want to make sure we address that, too.”

“I am especially excited about Allen Gilbert, the keynote speaker for the event,” Oliver said. Gilbert is the U.S. Department of Interior Senior Advisor for the Rocky Mountains and Southwest and will speak about the renewable energy on public land the potential impact on southern New Mexico.  “This is still a tough time for the economy, but southern New Mexico has seen rapid growth,” Oliver said. “(The conference) is a great opportunity to hear from some of the best minds in the state focused on the audience as well as business experts from academics and national labs. This is the opportunity to hear directly from them.”

Tickets for the conference are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, visit www.nmgreenchamber.com.

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News

By Brook Stockberger/Business Editor

How difficult is economic development in southern New Mexico? For one thing, liqueur licenses are too expensive, some with purchase prices as high as $700,000, said Mike Espiritu, executive director of the Otero County Economic Development Council.

“I cannot get a grocery store in Alamogordo because of the price of a liqueur license,” Espiritu said. “A liqueur license is an economic development issue, (but) the legislation hasn’t been changed since the early 1980s.”

Davin Lopez, CEO and president of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance said that competition is intensifying in the Southwest.

“Arizona has put its flag in the sand and said, ‘We’re back in business,’” Lopez said. “And, on the other side, we have Texas (working hard.)”

So what should the state with the lowest population in the Southwest do to build momentum in job creation? Here in southern New Mexico, a spirit of cooperation has taken hold among competitors. And while it’s not exactly Macy and Gimble shaking hands in “Miracle on 34th Street,” Lopez, Espiritu and John Mulcahy, executive director of the Sierra County Economic Development Organization, have made the effort to work together for the good of the region.

The three men spoke about economic development during MVEDA’s monthly luncheon on Tuesday at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces.

“We devote time to regional development,” Lopez said. “While I’d rather not lose a deal, I’d want to lose it to these guys rather than Arizona or Texas.”

Lopez said that MVEDA has recently finished one of its best fiscal years ever for capital investment and in other areas. Still, there is a lot of work to be accomplished, including efforts for Spaceport America.

“Virgin Galactic has been using our office for a series of companies they’ve been meeting with,” Lopez said.

“Davin and I have been working on spaceport needs,” Mulcahy said. “We met with contractors last week.”

Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News

By Brook Stockberger

LAS CRUCES – Another dormant commercial location will again be alive with the buzz of Las Cruces workers. Arlington, Va.-based Vangent announced that it plans to hire 120 employees as it takes over the empty location at 1630 Hickory Loop, vacated in 2009 by Frontier Airlines.

Vangent operates call centers, so, if you’re looking for a job, warm up your vocal cords and spruce up your résumé, because the company plans to hold job fairs starting Wednesday next week at the Workforce Connection office, 226 S. Alameda St.

“This is another great opportunity to refill lost jobs,” said Davin Lopez, president and CEO with the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance.

The news comes after the recent announcement that the large Rea Magnet Wire building on the West Mesa Industrial Park had been sold to Alaska Structures, which also has occupied parts of the years’-empty Parkview Metals buildings.

“I’m excited; this is great news for Las Cruces,” said Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima. “I’m so proud of our community and economic development team.”

The job fairs will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday as well as from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Lopez said a delegation from Las Cruces first met with the company in February in Washington D.C. “They are a third-party contract center that does work for a variety of industries, including the federal government,” Lopez said.

Vangent reports it has been serving clients in the federal government since 1973 and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. The company did not give specifics on the function of its Las Cruces facility, but its website reports that is has worked with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Department of Education, NASA and other clients.

Vangent will hire entry-level customer service representatives, senior representatives, supervisors, quality monitors, operations representatives, workforce management specialists and a trainer. The company offers temporary and full-time employment. It did not disclose wage information, but reports it offers “competitive pay, benefits and flexible schedules.”

For all positions, a high school diploma or GED is required and applicants must pass a typing test of at least 20 words per minute. Everyone who is hired also must pass a security clearance and a pre-employment drug test.

“Our unemployment (rate) is already down and this will help that even more,” Miyagishima said. “I can’t stress enough the teamwork at MVEDA, the city and county and university on (economic development).”

Vangent said it chose Las Cruces “due to a well-educated workforce, an area free from extreme weather and easy access to major metropolitan centers in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. In addition, Vangent has received valuable support from the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and members of their board of directors.”

Brook Stockberger can be reached at (575) 541-5457

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

Photo courtesy of the International Business Accelerator

By Samantha Roberts

Tuesday, April 5, was a busy day for legislators in Las Cruces, as Economic Development Secretary of New Mexico Jon Barela visited the City of Crosses and Gov. Susana Martinez signed three crucial bills in Santa Teresa.

Barela, who spoke at the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance luncheon, Business on the Border, said he was excited about the future of New Mexico in regards to kick starting new jobs and spending.

Special guests from Union Pacific attended the event, in honor of the new bill Martinez signed later that afternoon that eliminated a tax on diesel fuel in New Mexico and contributed to the arrival of the new Union Pacific plant in Santa Teresa.

“This is a cornerstone to creating jobs in southern New Mexico,” Barela said. “This $400 million project will create 3,000 construction jobs, 600 permanent jobs and many more will stem from that.”

In addition to the diesel tax bill, Martinez also signed the vehicle overweight bill, which Barela touched on during his speech. According to Barela, this bill will spur new job growth and encourage positive trade along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In addition to discussing the bills, including a third bill that will give border authority more power, Barela addressed the audience on key economic principles that he said will keep New Mexico competitive to bring in large corporations, such as Union Pacific.

The first principle is to balance the budget without increasing taxes.

“Although this was a tough session, we did it,” Barela said, adding that New Mexicans can have security in the future of the Land of Enchantment. “We also did it in a bipartisan manner. While Texas, Arizona and California are still dealing with their $1 billion shortfalls, New Mexico is ready for the future.”

The second principle was to establish a competitive regulatory environment, a reason Barela said he established a small business task force.

“We want to make New Mexico more business friendly,” he said, “without compromising people’s health, safety or the environment.”

Third, Barela said he wants to create a competitive tax environment, looking to other states as soft guidelines.

“Arizona has raised the bar,” he said. “Despite their huge debt, they have slashed corporate taxes, income taxes, property taxes, increased funding to job incentive programs and lowered sales tax. They believe the private sector creates jobs, and we need to take that to heart. We can’t ignore what the other states are doing.”

Other principles Barela touched on during his speech, included: a competitive local government structure, a competitive public education environment, increased capital availability and an environment that fosters innovation, an initiative that he said is crucial to the future of New Mexico.

“We are a global environment, and it is important we see it that way,” Barela said. “We need to stay up to speed with global businesses, jobs, etc. The Chinese maybe be able to duplicate things, but they do not have the innovation.”

In addition to his principles, Barela briefly touched on federal issues, specifically the nation’s $14 trillion debt.

“We need to correct the climate in Washington,” he said. “All of the principles can fit together – federal, state and local.”

Following a questions-and-answer session, a majority of the attendees caravanned to Santa Teresa to see Barela’s powerful speech put into effect with the signing of three bills.

Key legislative players who helped getting the bills passed and who also attended the event included Zoe Richmond, Union Pacific’s director of public affairs, Arizona and New Mexico Corporate Relations; Sen. Mary Kay Papen; Rep. Jane Cullbert; Rep. Mary Helen Garcia; Sen. Cynthia Nava; Barela; and, of course, Martinez.

While each bill has weight of its own, together these pieces of legislation marked a monumental day for southern New Mexico.

“We have hit a home run,” Garcia said.

Papen described southern New Mexico as “the stepchild that is often forgotten about,” adding that today would change everything.

“(Senate Bill 179 and House Bill 523 – Locomotive Fuel Tax Gross Receipts Deduction) allows us to compete with Texas,” Martinez said. “We need to be on the same playing field as Texas. They don’t have a tax on locomotive fuel, and, now, we don’t either.”

Martinez also signed House Bill 24, authorizing special permits for the operation of certain overweight commercial vehicles near the southern New Mexico border, and House Bill 322, granting additional powers to the Border Authority.

Release courtesy of the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium

LAS CRUCES, NM – The New Mexico Space Grant Consortium’s (NMSGC) third annual Student Launch is now scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2011 at Spaceport America. If you are interested in attending you are encouraged to register online. NASA is sponsoring this launch as part of its Summer of Innovation program. The SL-5 rocket will be carrying experiments designed and created by students from middle grades through to university level. Students are from New Mexico, Texas and Arizona created the experiments. This launch was rescheduled from its earlier launch date in order to meet mission specifications. Registration will be open until 5 p.m. MDT May 10, 2011.

The Student Launch is open to the public by reservation via coach transportation for $45 per person. Registrants can go online to http://www.launchnm.com/registration.php to reserve their space and make payment. No private vehicles are allowed at the launch site.

NMSGC Director Dr. Patricia Hynes is enthusiastic about this year’s student launch, and welcomes the public. “This will be another unique opportunity for students, parents, teachers and anyone interested in space, to learn about sub-orbital science and engineering education and research. We will launch the rocket with the experiments and after the rocket lands, we will take the experiments out of the rocket and give the data to the student on-site.” The rocket will loft 27 student experiments into space from Spaceport America, culminating nearly a year of development and planning. “Because we want to give students the data from their experiments in the field, we tested the parachute system on the rocket. The system worked perfectly, but we had a small problem after the test, which created the delay.”

The May 20 SL-5 Student Launch will be well-attended, with many local dignitaries and industry representatives on-hand, including personnel from NASA.

The student launch program was created by the NMSGC to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs for area students. This program provides annual access to space for student experiments at the end of the academic year.

Experiments include 35 sensors including electromagnetic field, carbon dioxide detectors, radiation, acceleration, temperature, pressure and electricity sensors. Descriptions of the student experiments are available online at http://www.launchnm.com

The New Mexico Space Grant Consortium is a member of the congressionally funded National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program that is administered by NASA and sponsored by New Mexico State University. The program promotes and inspires lifelong learning in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics as it pertains to space-related activities. The consortium supports a wide range of projects and scholarship opportunities, including the Student Launch Program.