SANTA FE –Gov. Susana Martinez and Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela praised the formal filing of the deed with the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office on Wednesday to create the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) in Southern Dona Ana County. The utility authority will provide an independent utility for the provision of water and wastewater services along the U.S./Mexico Border in southern Doña Ana County.

“I am pleased that the final step in creating this utility authority has been taken,” Gov. Martinez said. “It is imperative that we have the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority in place to provide a predictable source of water for residents and businesses in the area. This will help to not only retain the companies we have in the region but recruit new companies to Santa Teresa and Sunland Park.”

CRRUA will oversee provisions of services and utility billing to thousands of customers within the City of Sunland Park and the Santa Teresa development, as well as to thousands more in the rapidly developing areas adjacent to the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.

“We are happy about the collaboration in the creation of CRRUA and look forward to the economic progress that will develop as a result of today’s action,” Secretary Barela added.

The Southwest Aerospace & Defense Trade Compliance Forum includes a seminar, networking reception, workshop options and a tour of Spaceport America.

Do you know?

• What are you and your organization’s level of exposure, liability and risk when it comes to international trade and the demanding regulatory driven environment?
• What are the key requirements that you and your organization must abide by?
• What are the ongoing challenging, difficult and sometimes sensitive problems the regulations present?
• What are the potentially devastating consequences if you or your organization get it wrong?

If you need or want answers to these and many other questions, this low-cost, high-quality two-day, hands-on, practical-application and case study-focused program is for you.

Day one seminar topics include:

• Overview and Update on US Export Controls;
• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) HOT Topics: State Department Trends, Defense Service Exports, Export Control Reform Initiatives, Agreements, Brokering, Third-Country/Dual Nationals, D-Trade, Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence, and much more…;
• Automation & Software Essentials in Trade Compliance;
• Industry Panel – How to Successfully Navigate the ITAR Minefield; Enforcement Update and Latest Consequences of Non-Compliance with Important Case Studies and Lessons Learned.
• Day one ends with a Q&A session followed by a networking reception

On day two attendees have two workshops to pick from:

• TRACK 1 is “Challenges Facing Empowered Officials and Trade Compliance Professionals: Minimizing Exposure, Liability and Risk” and includes sessions on Investigations, Disclosures and Decision Making; What the Regulations Don’t Say and How to Prepare for What’s Ahead, Hands-on Interactive Case Studies and ends with a presenter Q&A period.

• TRACK 2 is “Commercial Space and the ITAR” with sessions on What Every Commercial Space Entrepreneur Needs to Know; USML Categories IV, VIII and XV, as well as Relevant CCL Entries; Obstacles to Export; Interagency and Regulatory Conflicts Launch/Spaceflight Insurance Issues, Defense Services, etc.; Spaceports and the ITAR: Compliance Requirements for the Owner, Operators, Tenants, Suppliers, etc.; Hands-on Interactive Case Studies and also ends with a presenters Q&A.

In the afternoon of day two there is a special Spaceport America tour.

Additional details including registration, hotel information and a complete agenda are linked here.

Steve Vierck

Release courtesy of the New Mexico Economic Development Department

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Economic Development Partnership (NMEDP) board named Steve Vierck, CEcD, as president and CEO of the New Mexico Partnership during Friday’s NMEDP board meeting. Vierck is a long-time economic development professional who has a strong record of leading and consulting several economic development organizations both in New Mexico and nationally.  In this position, Vierck will be responsible for leading the New Mexico Partnership in its efforts to market New Mexico to companies, business decision makers and site selectors as a premier location to do business.

“Mr. Vierck brings his sterling reputation and tireless work ethic back to New Mexico, I am very much looking forward to working with him and the Partnership staff in recruiting companies to the state,” said Jon Barela, cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “He knows New Mexico and the business development community very well and will be able to position and market the state successfully to companies.”

Vierck is currently the president of the economic development division at Angelou Economics in Austin, TX, one of the largest economic development and site selection consulting firms in the U.S. There, he provides oversight and direct involvement on economic development strategies, industry targeting, marketing plans, workforce assessment and implementation support and conducts competitive assessments of economic development programs for states, regions, and communities throughout the U.S. and abroad including benchmarking of results and approaches for clients including Colorado Springs, Colorado; Greater Phoenix Economic Council; Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

Prior to that, he successfully led the recruitment and expansion of 49 companies as president/CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance generating 3,000 jobs and $147 million in capital investment in southern New Mexico.

Chairman of the NMEDP Board and president of First New Mexico Bank, Sean Ormand stated that he had the opportunity to witness Steve Vierck at work honing and shaping successful economic development efforts for communities throughout southern New Mexico and that Vierck “will bring real value to the table and be a great asset to the New Mexico Partnership, a vital public/private economic development effort”

Vierck’s past work experience includes: vice president of economic development for the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, senior vice president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, executive director of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and national marketing director of the Arizona Department of Commerce.

Vierck earned his master’s degree in geography with a specialization in economic geography and bachelor’s degree in business administration/regional development from the University of Arizona. He received the “William W. Lampkin Award for Long Term Excellence in Economic Development” and “Developer of the Year” awards in both New Mexico and Arizona. He earned his certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation in 1991 and has served on many economic and workforce development boards.

For more information on the New Mexico Partnership, visit www.nmpartnership.com.

The first session is scheduled for December 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the New Mexico State University Albuquerque branch, 4501 Indian School Rd. NE.

New Mexico 9000 was created by the Economic Development Department to provide training and assistance to New Mexico businesses in preparing for ISO 90001:2008. Training will be broken into six half-day sessions over a 3-6 month period.

“This is a great opportunity for New Mexico businesses to access new customers, become more efficient and lower their operating costs,” said Jon Barela, New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary.

The New Mexico 9000 training program has been completed by 155 companies, creating over 1,000 new expansion jobs.

Trained professionals will conduct ISO 9001:2008 classes in:

• Internal Auditing
• Writing Standard Operating Procedures
• Writing Work Instructions
• Understanding the Standard

ISO is a general Quality Management System. Companies like Intel, Boeing and many other companies are requiring that their first tier suppliers be ISO 9001 certified. In turn, those suppliers are requiring that their suppliers are ISO 9000 certified. In addition, government agencies, such as the Department of Defense, NASA and NNSA are also requiring ISO certification of their providers.

ISO 9000 standards have been adopted by 178 countries. There are now more than 1 million companies worldwide that have registered to the ISO standards. Costs associated with obtaining, maintaining, and renewing ISO registration are tax deductible. The cost of the New Mexico 9000 training classes is based on annual company sales revenue, ranging from $550 to $3,300 for the training.

For more information, or to register for the program, contact the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership, at (505) 262-0921 or via e-mail, at info@newmexicomep.org.

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.

Let me first start off by saying that the “job” of job creation in economic development takes an organized and consolidated approach and it requires the efforts of many groups working together.  In this respect I want to recognize all the team players that make this possible here in Doña Ana County.  They include the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the New Mexico Partnership, the Border Industrial Association and of course our partners at both the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.  They also include our educational and training partners at NMSU and DACC.  And of course it takes the support of all of MVEDA’s private sector partners.

COMPLETED PROJECTS AND SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY

As of September 30, 2011, MVEDA has assisted in the creation of two new locates representing 279 new jobs to Las Cruces.  They include:

• Vangent, a back office support center based in Arlington, VA.  The company announced the decision in early July of this year and have currently hired over 90 employees to date.
• L&M Radiator, a manufacturer of industrial radiators that recently relocated out of El Paso to Las Cruces.

With these two locates, we are far ahead of production levels compared to this same time last fiscal year in terms of project completion, square footage absorption, employment numbers and capital investment.

MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

As a result of the several locates that have taken place over the last nine months, the MVEDA staff had spent considerable time and energy in project management functions.   Entering the new fiscal year, we have now returned our focus to the marketing efforts of the organization and the re-building of our project pipeline.  Although lead and prospect generation is slower year-to-date compared to this same time last fiscal year, we are once again beginning to see new opportunities.

We have been quite aggressive in our marketing efforts and reaching out to target markets where we believe there is potential for near term growth opportunities.  At MVEDA’s Board Strategic Planning Retreat in June, the staff outlined the following primary targets:

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS):  The Las Cruces International Airport is the only municipal airport in the US where UAV’s can be tested in the public airspace.  Along with the expertise in systems operations provided by the Physical Science Laboratory, the Las Cruces region becomes a unique opportunity for UAV companies seeking to not only test but to conduct R&D and assembly operations.

• Logistics & Warehousing:  The announcement of Union Pacific this past fiscal year affords us incredible future growth opportunities and we are taking steps to position ourselves for success in this area.

• Renewable Energy:  Over the past 12 months, MVEDA and the region have experienced tremendous success in the development of solar projects.  We continue to aggressively seek out opportunities in this area.  However, we are seeing a shift in new interest from bio-mass companies exhibited by the growth in research in new fuel related agricultural crops.

• El Paso Market:  Over the last 18 months, Las Cruces and Doña Ana County have benefited greatly from growth pressures in El Paso that are squeezing the industrial base.  Early results have included Alaska Structures and L&M Radiator expanding into Las Cruces as well the recent announcement of TE Connectivity’s consolidation into Santa Teresa.

This quarter, we have also participated in prospect trips to Chicago, Boston, Washington DC and San Francisco.   More recently MVEDA also participated in Virgin Galactic’s Industry Day at Spaceport America and the ISPCS conference.

As evident from the above, we are experiencing renewed growth and interest in the region, primarily in the manufacturing sector.  Eighteen months ago, the City of Las Cruces had over 360,000sf of industrial space sitting idle.   Of that space, 300,000sf is now occupied by Alaska Structures in our West Mesa Industrial Park.  Vangent has taken over the former Frontier Airlines reservations center and L&M now occupies the former Multi-Plastics facility.

The Union Pacific project at Santa Teresa further positions Doña Ana County to be a major hub for future distribution and logistics companies.   More recently, but falling within our 2^nd Quarter activity, TE Connectivity officials along with Governor Susana Martinez announced their plans to consolidate their operations in Santa Teresa thereby making their Doña Ana County facility their largest North American distribution center.  We also expect one to two more announcements before the end of the calendar year.

Again, we cannot accomplish our goals without the support of our partners and stakeholders.  We thank each of you for your continued support and we look forward to continuing the mission of job creation for Doña Ana County and New Mexico.

Davin Lopez

President and CEO

Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance

New Markets Tax Credits have helped developers and business owners gain access to a low-cost source of capital to solve a portion of their capital needs while creating significant community and economic impact in distressed areas. The Collateral Support Participation program is a new program initiated to leverage private lending to help finance small businesses which are creditworthy but unable to obtain the capital required to expand and create jobs.

These seminars are designed to inform and acquaint community officials, planners, economic development professionals, developers, and business owners. A special addendum has been added to these sessions which will focus on the unique interests of investors and lenders of New Markets Tax Credits.

Seminar schedule

Representatives will be traveling throughout New Mexico to provide information on how we can help your business realize the vision of your communities’ needs and growth potential. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming seminar! Please RSVP at least a day prior to the event using the links below.

Monday, November 14, 2011

City Hall – Commission Chambers

1376 East Ninth Street, Alamogordo, NM  88301

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Yes, I plan to attend >

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Morgan Hall

109 E Pine Street, Deming, NM  88030

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Yes, I plan to attend >

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Hotel Encanto

705 South Telshor Boulevard, Las Cruces, NM  88011

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Yes, I plan to attend >

For questions regarding these events, please contact:

John Brooks
jbrooks@nmfa.net
505 992 9638

Celina Sandoval
csandoval@nmfa.net
505 992 9642

SANTA FE –Governor Susana Martinez signed the Capital Outlay Bill Tuesday which includes $1.85 million in capital improvements for the Santa Teresa Water System Infrastructure Project.

“This project is an important element to infrastructure development, public safety and job creation in Santa Teresa,” said Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela. “It will improve water service for industrial, commercial, and residential customers southern Doña Ana County and the surrounding border region.”

The funding is part of Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) that includes planning, design, permitting, and construction to the existing Doña Ana County Wastewater Treatment Plant, and building new water and wastewater treatment facilities and piping at the Santa Teresa Industrial Park.

“The Santa Teresa Water System Infrastructure Project improvements are critical for many companies located at the border to have the adequate water pressure needed to operate,” said Jerry Pacheco, vice-president of the Border Industrial Association, which represents 45 companies located near New Mexico’s southern border that employ approximately 2,000 workers. “The project will also help recruit and relocate companies from El Paso and other areas and retain the existing companies along the border.”

There are five components of the full project including new water wells, replacing water pumps, a new water storage tank, replacing the domestic booster station, and replacing the fire pump.

The Economic Development Department’s Office of Business Advocacy and the EDD Financial Development Team have spearheaded the LEDA funding efforts for the waste water system in Santa Teresa since January 4, 2011.

The $86 million Capital Outlay bill was approved by the Legislature during a special session, which ended in September.

SANTA FE – New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela announced Tuesday that New Mexico has been approved by U.S. Department of the Treasury to participate in the State Small Business Credit Initiative Program (SSCBI).

New Mexico will receive nearly $13.2 million in federal funds to put toward programs that leverage private lending to help finance small businesses and manufacturers that are creditworthy, but are not able to access the capital required to expand and create jobs. The New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) will contract with the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) to operate the program.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New Mexico’s economy and the engines of economic recovery,” said Governor Martinez. “It is a priority for this administration to create a more business-friendly environment that encourages growth, investment, and job creation right here in New Mexico. This program is an important step toward accomplishing that goal and putting New Mexicans back to work.”

“These funds will help creditworthy small businesses access the lending they need to invest and hire, providing a powerful boost for economic growth and job creation,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal S. Wolin. “Expanding access to credit will help ensure that more entrepreneurs and small businesses can invest in their local communities to put more Americans back to work.”

NMEDD and NMFA have agreed to initially focus the State Small Business Credit Initiative Program funding to a bank loan participation program, branded the Collateral Support Program (CSP), focusing on shorter term working capital loans, particularly for projects located in rural and underserved areas of New Mexico. NMFA will base CSP on its existing loan participation program Smart Money which allows NMFA to purchase from a regulated bank or credit union up to 49 percent of a loan it makes to a New Mexico business or non-profit. The rules limit the amount of NMFA participation to $5 million and that no more than $2 million be directed to any project unless significant economic development will occur as a result. More specifically, the business must create at least one full-time job for each $50,000 invested by the NMFA.  These same guidelines will be used in implementing the CSP.  Additional federal requirements are:

1) the funds are directed to small businesses that do not employ more than 500, and that credit support will not be extended to borrowers that have more than 750 employees, and

2) for every $1 in CSP utilized, it must be leveraged with a minimum of $10 in new private lending.

 “The Economic Development Department worked hard to make this funding available to small businesses in our state,” Barela said.  “The SSCBI funds will go a long way in our efforts to expand economic development throughout the state.”

Under SSBCI, all states were offered the opportunity to apply for federal funds for state-run programs that partner with private lenders and investors to increase the amount of credit available to small businesses. States must demonstrate that every $1 in federal funding will generate a minimum of $10 in new private lending.  Accordingly, the overall $1.5 billion federal funding commitment for this program is expected to result in at least $15 billion in additional private lending nationwide.

“We are in a unique position to help the state develop public-private partnerships for business growth and job creation,” said Denise Baker, chair of the New Mexico Finance Authority. “These new funds will increase our ability to partner with local banks and strengthen communities.”

The NMEDD and NMFA will be hosting outreach sessions for the CSP on the following dates and locations:

Monday, November 14, 2011 in Alamogordo site to be determined at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Morgan Hall in Deming, NM at 9 a.m.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in at the Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, NM at 9 a.m.

NRG Photo

Release courtesy of the New Mexico Economic Development Department

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 Friday.

“The completion of the Roadrunner solar facility is a major milestone for the New Mexico border region,” said Secretary of Economic Development 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.

By generating clean, renewable energy, the Roadrunner Solar Generating Facility will contribute to cleaner air and result in a smaller carbon footprint for the state.

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.