Posts Tagged ‘Juarez’

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin
By Samantha Roberts

The Small Business Development Center of New Mexico has developed a program with exports as its focus, making available international trade counselors and an abundance of resources for those looking to start up business with Mexico.

Working as a nonprofit, SBDC is spread throughout the state with 20 locations serving New Mexican business owners and entrepreneurs.

The new program – Gateway to Exporting: Your Key to International Markets – is being spearheaded by Flo Dow, as­sistant director for marketing and professional development at the New Mexico SBDC, and is aimed at developing New Mexi­co’s small businesses and increasing their capabilities to export products and services to Mexico’s maquiladora industry.

“We are trying to let people know this program is up and running,” she said. “We received a federal grant in January for $325,000 and spent the first six months getting things sorted out. Now, we are ready to go.”

As part of the program, the SBDC has designated five team members as international trade consultants and one of them is in Las Cruces.

Fred Owensby, director of the Las Cruces SBDC, will serve as the consultant for southern New Mexico.

“I will be covering all of the south, from Hobbs, N.M., to Silver City, N.M.,” Owensby said. “We hope to bring people in and get their initial questions answered. Then from there, they could work with someone like the (International Business Ac­celerator) to advance further with doing business across the border.”

Another service the program offers is a database, connecting buyers with suppliers, which can be found at www.nmiba.com/ gateway.

The site will also be posting webinars that cover issues such as international business planning, finance, logistics, marketing identification and secure commerce, Dow said.

“We will be very proactive in identifying people and compa­nies that are interested in international business,” she added.

The services being offered are free and open to anyone.

“Anyone and everyone who has the right product,” she said, adding that the international consultants are available if some­one is trying to determine if they “have the right product.”

“They can contact the office and we will do a one-on-one in­terview,” Owensby added. “We will have that conversation and help people figure it out.”

Since safety in Mexico is still of high concern, Owensby said this program provides an alternative to traveling across the bor­der for business.

“We have strong connections with people who are already down there and are willing to help,” he said. “There are two con­sultants in Juárez in the community doing the legwork who are familiar with the industry.”

“We are making in-country connections,” said Bill Dobricky, senior procurement adviser for the Procurement Technical As­sistance Program, a division of the SBDC that assists companies in doing business with the government.

Though the grant will expire two years from its inception, Dow said this is a good start to a program the center hopes to continue.

“We hope to have great success and create a model that will put us in a position for more funds in the future,” she said. “We also hope that this will help people to understand the value of the SBDC. We are providing these services and your tax dollars are at work.”

Also as part of the New Mexico SBDC, additional free work­shops will be held at Doña Ana Community College from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 8, Oct. 6, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

Workshop participants are invited to make an appointment for individual assistance. To make arrangements with an SBDC representative after any workshop, call 527-7676.

For more information on SBDC or the Procurement Techni­cal Assistance Program, visit www.nmsbdc.org.

Release courtesy of the New Mexico Economic Development Department

CHAPARRAL, NM – A welcoming ceremony was held today for Snap Green Industries, LLC, a plastics recycling company, that is establishing new operations in Chaparral. The company is expected to create approximately 40 new jobs at its Chaparral site within three years.

New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary-designate Jon Barela, along with other local officials, attended the ceremony.

“It’s great to see another business planting its roots in rural New Mexico,” Barela said. “Not only will Snap Green Industries bring jobs to southern New Mexico, but it is also part of a growing plastics recycling industry that is important to this region and the state.”

Snap Green Industries, LLC has been in business for eight years and 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.

“Our new Chaparral site affords us the advantage of being close to our markets in El Paso, Juarez, and southern New Mexico,” said Francisco Alberto Rodarte, the CEO of Snap Green Industries, LLC. “We are very happy with the support we received from the New Mexico Partnership and the Otero County Economic Development Council, which assisted us in establishing our new operations. We look forward to becoming a productive member of the southern New Mexico business community.”

Snap Green Industries, LLC provides other products and services such as recycling systems integration design, the rent and sale of machinery for waste management, the sale of different types of grinders, processed plastics, hoses for irrigation systems and molded parts.

The company expects to start operations at the beginning of August 2011.

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

By Samantha Roberts

As Las Cruces continues to grow, so do surrounding areas, including Santa Teresa, but with this growth comes many complications.

What began as an idea many years ago will turn into a reality with the groundbreaking of the expansion of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry (POE) Thursday, July 7. The event will be led by Juan “J.D.” Salinas, regional administrator for GSA’s Greater Southwest Region, and Ana Hinojosa, director of field operation in El Paso for the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency, as well as other dignitaries, such as New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela and Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Also on the guest list are more than 200 invitees.

“This event signifies a great moment for everyone that has put in the hard work to make this a reality,” said Jim Creek, executive director of the New Mexico Border Authority.

Santa Teresa serves as the closest port of entry for people traveling from Chihuahua, Mexico, and Jerónimo Port as well as Juárez International Airport to the U.S.

“There is just not enough room for everyone,” Creek said. “Especially in the last few months, traffic has actually decreased because people are getting so frustrated with the long wait times.” Creek said the Santa Teresa port’s popularity comes from the increased economic activity in Santa Teresa; a newly built road that connects the Jerónimo Port to southern New Mexico; the ease of access to El Paso shopping centers, such as The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso; and the increased violence in Juárez has deterred people from making the trek through the hostile city. With all the extra people, the current roads – two northbound non-commercial and commercial lanes and inspection booths; and two southbound non-commercial and commercial lanes and inspection booths – are not enough.

“For non-commercial ‘private’ vehicles, the wait time can be as long as three to four hours,” Creek said. “It is the longest of any port in El Paso or Doña Ana County.”

Luckily, Creek said he and a team have been able to find the funding. “Plans have always pointed at expanding the roads,” he said. “In early 2010, we met with federal, state and private officials to establish a committee and attempt to fix the problem. We were able to find federal money – stimulus funding or Homeland Security funding. It’s all federal money, just a different color.”

Since 1997, the number of annual northbound passenger vehicle crossings at the Santa Teresa POE has gone from less than 100,000 to more than 500,000 and is continuing to grow. In regard to these numbers, Creek said plans are also looking at future capacity for the port.

“We are definitely keeping our eyes on the future,” he said. “Economic development cannot grow without the capacity to expand.”

After construction begins – late July or early August – the anticipated completion time is about 14 months. Being added are two northbound non-commercial lanes and inspection booths, an expanded secondary inspection area for non-commercial vehicles, a pedestrian walkway and expanded inspection area, one additional commercial lane and inspection booth, a new southbound inspection facility and renovations to the current Main Port Administration Building.

“This will enable the trucks to flow smoother and will give us 50 percent or more truck capacity,” Creek said. “In 1998, there were no expectations of pedestrian traffic; however, in April, more than 15,000 people crossed the port, intermingled within cars. We really need the pedestrian crosswalk.”

Though things seem to be flowing smoothly, Creek said he expects to encounter staffing problems. “We are increasing the size of the administration building because we will have to increase the number of staff,” he said. “The infrastructure we will have, but getting the increased staff members is the hard part because they are needed all around ports. Since there has not been an increased budget for customs and border to hire additional workers, no one is able to financially support the increase.

“We will work with other states and congressional delegation to hammer out this issue. It is a common need right now.”

To learn more about the Santa Teresa POE, the public is invited to listen in on a monthly business meeting at 10 a.m. the last Thursday of the month at Santa Teresa Country Club, 75 Feather Moon Drive in Santa Teresa. The meeting is attended by U.S. and Mexican private and public sector officials, who discuss border issues.

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

By Samantha Roberts

Since Gov. Susana Martinez signed a bill to lower taxes on diesel fuel, everyone in southern New Mexico is talking about Union Pacific (UP) coming to Santa Teresa, but there is a lot more happening on the border that people don’t know about.

On Thursday, June 16, more than 700 people gathered at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino for the annual NAFTA Institute/Supplier Meet the Buyer Conference.  With two floors full of business-to business networking, speakers and economic leaders, there was never a dull moment at the conference.

“This event creates the opportunity for companies to make transactions and get introduced to new businesses,” said Fred Shepherd, Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance business development manager. “Companies can come and display their products and also hear an overview of business opportunities.”

First-time attendee Reinhard Peter, CEO of Solarzentrum North America, said he was pleased with the success of the event.  “There are so many people here,” he said. “Since cost is always an issue, events such as this one help a large number of people get together to network.”

Reinhard, who sells hybrid solar panels that produce hot water and useable electricity, said his focus on the environment got him into the business.  “I want to preserve the environment for our kids,” Reinhard said. “We are in one of the sunniest cities of the world, no? We have so much sunshine, and it’s free. We are supplying a product that people use daily, and free is good, no?”

In addition to all of the vendors, UP was also there, representing its new facility in Santa Teresa and answering questions to curious participants.

Zoe Gisela Richmond, UP public affairs director, said UP representatives were also pleased with the turnout and excited about educating people on their upcoming facility. “We are hoping UP coming to the area is the catalyst for more opportunities in southern New Mexico and that it will attract more companies to the area,” she said. “We are shooting for an early August date for the groundbreaking of the facility.”

Though the main goal of the event was to make relationships and establish connections, some companies were able to make more use of their time.

For Erlinda Portillo, coordinator of donor services and special events at Dona Ana Community College, and Ken Tellez, manager of planning and development at DACC, the community college struck manufacturer gold at the event.  Portillo said Maria Elena Vargas, a business owner in Mexico, has agreed to donate manufacturing equipment to DACC.

“We made the connection through Jerry Pacheco,” Tellez said. “We talked a little before, but this event allowed us to finalize the deal and discuss transportation of the equipment from Juarez to Las Cruces.”

The conference also hosted a bevy of guest speakers, including New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela, who gave an overview of Martinez’s administration in regard to border and economic development objectives.

“I am proud to announce several hundred new jobs in Dona Ana County,” Barela said. “We have recently passed a board of jobs package that includes the locomotive fuel tax reduction. This will allow New Mexico to be more competitive with Texas and has helped bring Union Pacific to the state.  “To me, job creation is a priority in southern New Mexico, and overall I want to help provide a better regulative climate, reducing the cost of compliance for businesses without sacrificing the health, welfare or beauty of New Mexico to do business.”

Other guest speakers included Bob Queen, from the United States Department of Commerce; Jose Contreras, from Border Security Consultants; and Brent Eastwood from the International Trade Office from the State of New Mexico. Richmond also gave an update about UP, an addition that plant manager Alex Sierra is very excited about.

“The new railroad lines are going to run through my ‘backyard.’ The new rail will cut one month off travel time for me,” said Sierra, who runs a car seat manufacturing plant in Santa Teresa. “We are in the ‘belt buckle’ of the Americas and it only makes sense to grow this area.”  Sierra said he has been coming to the event since its inception. “This is a great time for me to make 50 to 60 phone calls in one day,” he said. “It is well worth the $100.”

Also attending the event were employees from the New Mexico Economic Department ready to connect business owners and guests of the event with whoever they were looking to talk to.  “We have business-to-business networking going on over here,” said Steven Montano, senior advisor of the New Mexico Economic Development division, in regards to dozens of tables filled with business men and women making conversations in both English and Spanish. “People here are really making deals, and although they may not be creating jobs today, they are creating jobs down the road, and that is very important for New Mexicans. “This event really has a history of success, and I think that is because there is such an emphasis on the economy.”

Though times may still be tough in America, forward-thinking people in southern New Mexico and the surrounding area are expanding their horizons and looking to change the state of the economy one job at a time.

Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin

By Samantha Roberts

More than two dozen Mexican investors will visit Las Cruces as part of a Foreign Investment Trade Mission organized by the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces and New Mexico Economic Development Department Office of Mexican Affairs from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1 8, at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave.

This event marks the first trade mission in Las Cruces and the first bi-national event at the new convention center, said Peter Ibarbo, organizer of the trade mission and newly appointed chair of the Hispano chamber’s Economic Development Committee.

Ibarbo said he wanted to bring the event to Las Cruces as an effort to fulfill the chamber’s mission to promote culture. “I have been involved in numerous (trade missions) before in Albuquerque,” Ibarbo said. “There has never been anything like this in Las Cruces. There are a lot of great opportunities Las Cruces has to offer. I hope the event captures additional businesses and showcases the region’s assets.”

Trade sessions will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. and include the following:

•Table 1: Real estate development – This table consists of prospects interested in viewing investment opportunities in projects involving hotel development, townhome development, condominium complex development, apartment complex development, gasoline station-convenience store development and other similar commercial real estate opportunities.

•Table 2: Restaurant and café development – This table consists of prospects interested in viewing viable commercial properties to develop restaurants and cafes.

•Table 3: Import and distribution – This table consists of prospects interested in identifying joint-venture partners to expand their marketing channels and establish distribution centers. The products include wooden dowel, plugs and bungs manufacturing looking to partner with a U.S. company to establish a consolidated distribution center; infectious disease and environmental health hazard control kits; a buyer looking for a U.S. supplier for national distribution in Mexico; corrugated cardboard packaging manufacturing looking to develop a market to possibly establish a processing plant in Las Cruces for local and international distribution; and a supplier development center looking to make contacts with potential maquiladora suppliers in the realm of metal stamping, machining, plastic injection and packaging.

•Table 4: Tourism and special events – This table consists of prospects interested in partnering with travel agencies to promote weekend getaways to Copper Canyon, promote tourism in Chihuahua, Mexico as well as looking to coordinate special events in Las Cruces and identify vendors from Las Cruces that may want to showcase products at special events in Chihuahua, such as the Chihuahua Balloon Festival, ExpoAlimentab, ExpoMaquila, etc.

•Table 5: Commercial space supply chain – This table consists of commercial space supply chain coordinators interested in viewing potential suppliers for the commercial space industry. Areas of interest include construction of commercial space facilities, common area maintenance suppliers for commercial space facilities and tier 1/2 commercial space production inputs.

•Table 6: Sister City agreements – This table consists of four municipalities interested in establishing sister city agreement discussions with potential cities around the Las Cruces region. These cities include Guerrero, Cuauhtemoc, Meoqui and Chihuahua.

With a multi-faceted group of investors, Ibarbo said he is also inviting a wide range of businesses to the event. “We are inviting the business community in Las Cruces to come with established products that are looking to expand and make new contacts,” he said. “Companies who want to grow their market, such as real estate developers who would like to partner and bring hotels and condominiums. “We are also reaching out to local agencies that are active in economic development and want to provide a platform in foreign investment.”

Registration for tables includes: $500 for logo presence, an exhibitor’s table and an access pass for two persons to participate in the private lunch, business-to-business sessions and dinner; $250 for an exhibitor table and an access pass for two persons to participate in the business-to-business session dinner; and $100 for a banner sponsorship that will be positioned in a prominent place during the event. Admission tickets can also be purchased for $17.50 to $35 per person.

In addition to the tables, the event will also host a dinner at 6 p.m. and offer different levels of entry fees to cater to everyone’s needs. Tickets can be purchased for the business-to-business marketing session, dinner or both.

The dinner will include keynote speakers from the Commercial Space Committee, who will talk about the commercial-supply chain for Spaceport America; Sacred Power, which will discuss alternative-energy developments; and Jose Louis Mauricio, who comes from the El Paso-Juárez area and founded La Red, a company that has helped to establish more than 100 businesses in El Paso.

“The Hispano chamber is partnering with the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce,” Ibarbo said. “If you are a member of any of these groups, then you can get more information from them, or anyone can contact the Hispano chamber.”

For more information or to register, contact the Hispano chamber at (575) 532-9255.