Features
Tres Amigas Super Station Set To Make New Mexico Nation’s Energy Hub
New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón was on hand for the October 13th announcement that New Mexico will be home to the Tres Amigas Superstation. When built, the Super Station will interconnect three of America’s main power grids near Clovis. It will not only increase the delivery of energy from region to region, but will also allow more efficient delivery of renewable energy currently limited by the nation’s power transmission infrastructure.
“The increased ability to provide renewable energy in an efficient manner to surrounding power grids means an increase in green energy production and green energy jobs for New Mexico,” said Secretary Mondragón. “By building the largest power converter in the world, our state is fulfilling its promise to become a global leader in renewable energy creation and delivery.”
The project will cover 22 square-miles in eastern New Mexico near Clovis, where the three power grids converge. Right away, it will create 200 construction jobs for Curry County, as well as 50 permanent high wage jobs. Construction could begin in late 2010 or early 2011 and be completed two years after that.
The Tres Amigas Super Station will be comprised of three voltage-source AC/DC power converters, which will be connected by up to 20 miles of gigawatt-scale superconductor DC power cables, creating a triangular electricity pathway. This pathway will be similar to highway rotaries that are used to control traffic flow. In the case of Tres Amigas, multiple power transmission lines will carry power from each of the three national power grids into and out of the Tres Amigas Super Station, allowing balancing of power between the three different grids. Tres Amigas will help ensure the smooth, uninterrupted flow of power from multiple generation sources in all three-power grids to customers across a wide area of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
New Mexico 9000 Program Grads Honored
Secretary Mondragón Addresses the Luncheon
New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón was on hand Wednesday, September 24th, to honor 38 businesses who have graduated from the New Mexico 9000 program since its inception in the year 2000. The program trains companies to become certified in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) qualifications. This certification opens the door for New Mexico businesses to bid on government contracts and do business overseas.
“Expanding revenue, increasing business opportunities, optimizing efficiency and attracting new businesses to the state all help to make the New Mexico 9000 program essential to the economic growth of New Mexico,” stated Secretary Mondragón. He added, “We are proud of the nearly ten years and 1,000 jobs that the EDD has helped to facilitate through New Mexico 9000 companies.”
New Mexico 9000 offers an inexpensive and rapid option to the difficult and time consuming process of companies attempting to achieve ISO certification on their own. ISO is a set of quality management standards that are dedicated to defining company objectives, improving effectiveness and creating a foundation for consistent excellence.
For more information on how your company can participate and benefit from the New Mexico 9000 program, click here.
Belen's Bright Solar Future
Governor Bill Richardson and Economic Development Director Secretary Fred Mondragón were on hand Friday, September 11th, to recognize and announce three new solar initiatives in the Belen area. These advancements could potentially bring almost a hundred new jobs as Belen strives to become a hub for solar technologies.
The Governor announced that Integrative Solar is planning to build the Solar Testing and Research (STAR) Center and Energy Park on property next to the Belen airport. The research center will attract international companies interested in testing their solar projects. The venture will create 40 permanent jobs and 80 temporary construction positions. The Energy Park will be an educational center used by students and teachers to take part in hands on, interactive solar instruction.
The ceremony also celebrated the unveiling of three solar discs outside of Belen's City Hall. The concentrated solar power units (CSP), made by Infinia, will provide more than 40% of the energy needs for City Hall.
The Governor and Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres were honored with a plaque celebrating the instrumental roles both have playing in helping Belen's efforts to become New Mexico's first "carbon neutral" city.
New Arts and Cultural Districts Celebrated
The Economic Development Department’s MainStreet Program welcomed Taos, Raton, Los Alamos and Downtown Albuquerque as the latest Arts and Cultural Districts at a celebratory luncheon August 28th, at Santa Fe’s La Fonda Hotel. The four new additions join current Districts Las Vegas and Silver City.
The Arts and Cultural District Program provides resources for communities to develop their existing cultural and historic assets, helping them attract cultural and heritage tourism as well as nurturing self sustaining place-based artistic economies. These assets cover the full spectrum of the creative economy: from architecture to painting, playwriting to photography, theater to sculpture, film and digital media, graphic arts to culinary arts.
The program is a joint effort between the New Mexico Department of Economic Development’s MainStreet Program, the Department of Tourism’s Scenic Byways Program, and the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Divisions of New Mexico Arts and Historic Preservation. These entities help provide the Districts with benefits that include marketing and promotional help, assistance in attracting incentives, specialized technical assistance and grant funding,
A Quick Program History: In 2007, the Arts and Cultural District Program was established with the State’s MainStreet Program Director as the State Coordinator and the New Mexico Arts Commission as its “authorizing” governing body. Interested communities submitted proposals for an elaborate review and ranking process. Las Vegas and Silver City were the first communities to pass the stringent criteria and were approved for designation January 23rd, 2008.
Economic Development Department Takes Flavors of New Mexico to Asia
The New Mexico State Economic Development Department is playing a central role in expanding international markets for New Mexico businesses by assisting Garduño’s of Mexico Restaurant & Cantina in securing distribution for their products in Asia.
The Office of International Trade, in association with Ms. Michelle Keng, the Director of the New Mexico Taiwan Trade Office, accompanied Garduno’s Executive Food and Beverage Director Chef Eddie Adams to Taipei, Taiwan for the American foods show. From a prime position in the WTC Nangang Exhibition Hall, Mr. Adams conducted hugely popular demonstrations and tastings for the 75,000-plus daily visitors to the USA Pavilion. The mission exposed Garduño’s, and their homegrown New Mexico products, to a huge new market, with an eye towards permanent Asian distribution.
The trip yielded several results, including orders for product, arrangements for future promotions, and planting the seeds for potential franchising opportunities.
Mr. Adams said the Economic Development Department matched the enthusiasm of the Garduño’s family, stating, “The department is as committed as we are to seeing this succeed.” With the timely assistance of the EDD, essential details like shipping deadlines and converting product labels to Chinese were accomplished, allowing the mission to happen.
According to Mathew Woodlee, Director of the Office of International Trade, “Successes like this show how New Mexico can play on a global scale, whether it is through our cutting-edge technology or our unique food products. Services at EDD are designed for clients like Garduño’s, who will now be more capable of expanding their international sales.”
The Office of International Trade is planning another mission to Tokyo, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan scheduled for November 2009. This additional trip will allow the EDD and Adams follow up on leads created during the first trip, as well as seek out new distribution opportunities. The mission is open to other New Mexico businesses that may be interested in expanding operations or trade with Asia.
Garduño’s has been a New Mexico institution for 40 years. From a single original Albuquerque restaurant in 1968, the business has grown to employ over 500 in their 9 restaurants and packing companies in New Mexico. They have franchised additional locations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Scottsdale, Arizona. The Garduño’s family is committed to supporting New Mexico by exclusively using Hatch green chile, fresh local ingredients, and bottling their salsas in Albuquerque.
History Made at Spaceport America Groundbreaking
The New Mexico Economic Development Department helped celebrate the historic groundbreaking of Spaceport America with a series of events held June 18-19, 2009. The celebrations marked the culmination of New Mexico’s long journey towards establishing the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Governor Bill Richardson was on hand to address the crowds at each event, stressing the economic and educational benefits of the Spaceport. Economic Development Department Deputy Cabinet Secretary/Spaceport Chairwoman Daniela Glick hosted the festivities on both days.
Thursday, June 18, a public event was held at the “Horseshoe” on the campus of New Mexico State University. Several hundred people were on hand to listen to speeches from invited dignitaries, as well as explore space-related booths and attractions. A second, invitation only event was staged later that evening at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces.
On Friday morning, June 19, 500-plus invited guests and upwards of 60 press members from around the world traveled from Truth or Consequences to the remote site of Spaceport America for groundbreaking festivities. In addition to speeches from the Governor and Deputy Secretary, Virgin Galactic President Will Whitehorn and Executive Director of Spaceport America Steve Landeen addressed the crowd.
Following the presentations, a bulldozer officially broke ground on the future site of the 110,000 plus square-foot facility. The event concluded with a mass launch of small rockets, including a rocket that had been filled with a canister of earth from the site. The gesture symbolized the continuation of New Mexico pioneering spirit, from the exploration of the El Camino Royal 400 years ago up to the exciting future of commercial space travel.
In the short term, the construction of Spaceport America will provide 400 construction related jobs. Construction is expected to begin in July with an eye towards completion in late 2010 or early 2011. Eventually, thousands of sustainable tourism, high tech, educational and supporting industry jobs will be created by the spaceport and its related interests.
Virgin Galactic is basing their world headquarters in southern New Mexico, and has already invested over $300 million in developing a new space launch system. UP Aerospace, Lockheed Martin and Armadillo Aerospace have also committed to joining Virgin Galactic at the Spaceport
NAFTA “Supplies” Success
The 2009 NAFTA Institute “Supplier Meet the Buyer” Trade Conference attracted close to 700 participants to Sunland Park, New Mexico, to discuss Canada/US/Mexico border related issues. Interested companies filled the floor of the Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino ballroom, lining up for hours to engage in constructive face to face business discussions to link suppliers and buyers from both sides of the border. Additionally, dozens of panelists spoke on issues ranging from border security to rail shipping to financing issues. Nearly 30 companies and economic entities staffed booths to provide additional information to interested guests.
Representatives from the Economic Development Department hosted discussion groups, gave presentations and joined panels on New Mexico-Mexican affairs. Programs like JTIP and ISO9000 shared information with attendees, while the Office of Mexican Affairs took part in important border relations meetings with officials from Mexico.
Secretary Fred Mondragón addressed the crowd at a Friday luncheon, outlining economic development issues and opportunities. He called the event, “A successful demonstration of the ability of our two nations to pursue mutually beneficial trade and security related goals.”
Other highlights included a keynote speech from Patty Sefcik, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Domestic Operations of the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as presentations on Foxconn’s San Jeronimo project, Union Pacific’s Santa Teresa rail relocation project, and the Punta Colonet project.
This was the 16th Annual NAFTA Institute conference. For the last 6 years, Jerry Pacheco and the International Business Accelerator (IBA) have organized the event. Additional event hosts for 2009 included the New Mexico Economic Development Department Office of Mexican Affairs, The North American Institute (NAMI), the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, Gobierno Municipal De Juarez, Western New Mexico University and the New Mexico Small Business Development Center (NMSBDC).
Carlsbad Company Aims to Employ 300
The Carbon Diversion, Inc. broke ground April 28 at Carlsbad’s Airport Industrial Park with the goal of creating 300 new jobs for Southeastern New Mexico. The $15 million effort will be the first (and primary) site for the Hawaii based Carbon Diversion, Inc. Construction on phase one of the project is scheduled for an early 2010 completion, with 65 to be initially employed.
In simple terms, Carbon Diversion converts waste into energy. Their “flash carbonization” system takes “green” waste, tires, and solid waste and converts it into biofuel, electricity and/or pure carbon. Their stringent material selection secures a “best benefit” combination of “waste to carbon byproducts.” The result is a reduction in the world’s waste, with a long term goal of eliminating global waste issues.
Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Fred Mondragón was on hand to welcome the new business. During his address, he praised local and state businesses recruitment efforts, calling them," the kind of progressive approach to bringing in economic development opportunities that are needed in this state.”
Schott Solar Celebrates Albuquerque Inauguration
Schott Solar inaugurated their flagship U.S manufacturing plant at Mesa Del Sol in Albuquerque on May 11th. The new 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility represents an initial investment of over $100 million. 350 new jobs will be created by years end, eventually reaching a goal of 1,500 employees. The New Mexico plant will be the world’s first facility to produce both utility-scale solar photovoltaic modules and receiver tubes for concentrated solar plants.
"This inauguration represents the cornerstone of the Governor's green economy initiative,” said Fred Mondragón, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. “The fact that Schott Solar, a world leader in solar photovoltaics, has chosen to locate in New Mexico speaks volumes about our commitment to renewable energy and the future."
Job Creation Funds for Silver City
Silver City has been awarded a $2 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to help facilitate job creation. Economic Development Secretary Fred Mondragón and his staff conducted several visits and town hall meetings in an effort to identify a viable project to increase the economic growth of the area. Silver City community leaders have chosen to renovate the old Wal-Mart building, owned by Grant County, so that it can be used as a multi-purpose site to house potential businesses and also provide the community with an event center.
“This funding is critical for the people of Grant County and Silver City who have been hit especially hard by the recession and the recent mine closures,” said Secretary Mondragón. “We will continue to work diligently to support the people in Southwestern New Mexico, to create new jobs and to help diversify and grow the economy of the region.”