GGEDC undertakes fact-finding mission of Santa Teresa Industrial Park

SANTA TERESA, NM – On October 1, 2014, a delegation of Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation, Gallup Land Partners, and the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments undertook a fact-finding mission to Santa Theresa, NM to tour the Santa Teresa Industrial Park, the Union Pacific Santa Teresa Intermodal Facility, and Santa Teresa Port of Entry

The delegation was composed of:

• Rick Murphy, Vice-President, Greater Gallup EDC
• Patty Lundstrom, Executive Director, Greater Gallup EDC
• Michael Sage, Deputy Director, Greater Gallup EDC
• Aaron Kowalski, Business Manager, Gallup Land Partners
• Jeff Kiely, Executive Director, NWNMCOG

The purpose of the mission was to further collective understanding for developing a rail-served industrial park in New Mexico including  how strategic improvements in transportation infrastructure have successfully attracted private investment to create new economic base jobs in southern New Mexico.

The delegation was briefed by Jerry Pacheco, Vice-President of the Border Industrial Association; an organization consisting of more than 70 businesses that have created more than 2,000 jobs in southern New Mexico. The Santa Teresa/Sunland Park region, which surrounds the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, represents one of New Mexico’s largest industrial bases.

“There are many similarities between the Santa Teresa Industrial Park as serviced by Union Pacific Railroad and the Gallup Energy Logistics Park which is to be serviced by BNSF Railway,” said GGEDC Executive Director Patty Lundstrom. “To be able to see firsthand an established and growing industrial park with a logistics and distribution focus as well as learn best methods and practices from the Border Industrial Association is tremendously invaluable and will no doubt help us as we continue to develop the Gallup Energy Logistics Park”.

The mission also included extended discussions with representatives of the Border Industrial Alliance and the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority on critical issues impacting development such as transportation, electricity, water/wastewater infrastructure, zoning and permitting, workforce development, state tax and regulation policy, and housing.