Secretary Jon Barela and Governor Susana Martinez welcome Gus and Mike Franco of Franco Whole Foods to New Mexico.
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Governor Susana Martinez announced today that California-based tortilla producer Franco Whole Foods, will expand its operations into Las Cruces, bringing 160 new jobs with an average salary of $37,000 plus benefits. Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela, the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, and Mike and Gus Franco of Franco Whole Foods joined Governor Martinez for the announcement. The New Mexico Economic Development Department will contribute $75,000 in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds to help offset costs of upgrading their warehouse to meet the needs of manufacturing tortillas and food safety standards. Franco Whole Foods will also qualify for JTIP, which assists companies by reimbursing 50 percent of wages while training New Mexico workers for new positions. The City of Las Cruces will also complement training dollars through its Wage+ Program.
Franco Whole Foods is a national supplier of uncooked tortillas for Whole Foods and Costco. The company will convert the long-vacant warehouse on 875 W. Amador Ave. into a modern manufacturing facility that will meet food safety standards. Positions include quality assurance, packaging, mechanics, production workers, and manufacturing and food processing jobs. Franco Whole Foods was founded by Angel Franco in El Paso. In the 1980s his sons Gus and Mike Franco launched a tortilla manufacturing business in San Diego. Gus developed the uncooked flour tortilla recipe in 1993.
“As we continue to work to diversify and grow New Mexico’s private-sector economy, we are proud to welcome California-based Franco Whole Foods to Las Cruces,” said Governor Martinez. “Results like this show that diversifying our economy by competing for jobs and attracting new businesses pays off for our families and communities.”
“We appreciate the support of Governor Martinez and the City of Las Cruces in working with Franco Whole Foods as we expand in New Mexico,” said Gus Franco, president of Franco Whole Foods LLC. “New Mexico has become especially welcoming to manufacturers through reforms made in the state’s tax policies that encouraged us to set up shop and grow here.”
“What is great about Franco Whole Foods is that they are a producer and exporter of tortillas which means they don’t compete with our local tortilla makers, and they bring dollars into New Mexico from out of state,” said New Mexico Economic Development (EDD) Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela. “We are proud to help Franco Whole Foods though our department’s initiatives as they create good-paying jobs for New Mexicans and grow our state’s economy.”
“We are extremely excited that Franco Whole Foods has decided to call Las Cruces home to its new operations,” said Mayor Miyagishima. “In addition to their product line complementing our rich agricultural heritage, their investment will bring renewed vitality and employment opportunity to the city center and downtown areas.”
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