Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News, by Steve Ramirez
LAS CRUCES — Pegasus Global Holdings, the group behind plans to build a $1 billion scientific mock town in New Mexico, said Tuesday it has narrowed its list of potential sites to two: Doña Ana County or Lea County, in eastern New Mexico. The Center for Innovation, Technology and Testing, or CITE, will be built either north and west of Las Cruces, or in Hobbs.
Pegasus Global Holdings filed lease applications Tuesday with the State Land Office for more than 15,000 acres of state trust land near Corralitos Ranch, north and west of the city, and for 1,000 acres near Hobbs. Pegasus would also need to acquire some private land in Lea County.
“The applicants have said that this privately owned and operated project could bring as many as 3,500 new jobs to either area,” said State Land Commissioner Ray Powell, who was in Las Cruces on Tuesday. “In addition, a commercial lease on this property would earn much more revenue for our public schools, universities and hospitals. These are both very unique and interesting proposals that we will review thoroughly.
“When we have a full understanding of the two proposals, we will visit with local leaders and community members to make sure this type of project fits the vision of the two local areas. We’ll be back soon and we’ll be providing more information on Pegasus.”
Plans call for development of an uninhabited smart city where researchers could test everything from renewable energy innovations to intelligent traffic systems, next-generation wireless networks and smart-grid cyber security systems.
CITE Development Senior Managing Director Robert Brumley said he hopes to have the details worked out quickly and a final site selected in time to begin construction by June.
“We have always known that the state of New Mexico is the perfect location for CITE and are pleased by the overwhelming response we’ve received from communities across the state,” Brumley said. Choosing the most suitable location is vital to the success of this project. We look forward to working with the State Land Office and Lea and Doña Ana County to further explore and identify the opportunities and potential challenges of each location as part of the required due diligence for a project of this magnitude.”
In December, the New Mexico Economic Partnership, on behalf of CITE Development, solicited proposals from communities across the state that were interested in becoming the home to CITE. Sixteen proposals were submitted.
In the past few months, Pegasus has evaluated the proposals, conducted site visits and met with community leaders and has narrowed its preference to the final two locations.
“This would be huge for Las Cruces,” Mayor Ken Miyagishima said. “This is one of those instances where you could consider something like this a game changer for the city.”
Davin Lopez, executive director of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, added, “It’s a 50-50 chance for us, and I believe we have a good case to make. We have to be ready for that next phase, and we will be ready.”
It’s anticipated that Pegasus officials could make another site visit to Las Cruces within the next two weeks.
It is also envisioned that CITE would create at least 350 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs in its design, development, construction and ongoing operational phases. But thousands of jobs could potentially be created by the companies and other entities that would work on projects at CITE.
Thirteen million acres of land were granted to New Mexico in 1898 and 1910. Each tract is held in trust for state public schools and universities, as well as special schools and hospitals that serve children with physical, visual, and auditory disabilities.
During the state’s 2011 fiscal year, revenues from state trust lands and permanent funds produced more than $499 million in income for those beneficiaries.
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452. Also follow him on Twitter: @SteveRamirez6.
Copyright 2012 Las Cruces Sun-News. All rights reserved.
