Courtesy of the Las Cruces Sun-News, by Brook Stockberger
SANTA TERESA — Three companies are moving into the Santa Teresa area and another is expanding, which will create a total of about 137 jobs.
“All I can say is wow,'” said Davin Lopez, president and CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance at an announcement ceremony at the Santa Teresa Logistics Park on Wednesday. “We are lucky to see one job announcement a quarter. Today we welcome three new projects and one expansion.”
The companies are:
• JH Rose Logistics, in Santa Teresa since 2007, will expand into a 70,000-square-foot facility and hire 20 more workers.
• El Paso-based Ferza Group rail transfer/transportation company will build a 14,000-square-foot facility in Santa Teresa. It will employ 30 people at the location.
• Taiwan-based company Bizlink, a cable manufacturer, plans to build an 80,000-square-foot facility and hire 80 people.
• Santa Teresa Southern Railroad will provide rail service to the industrial park and connect with Union Pacific.
Gov. Susana Martinez was on hand to help make the announcement. She pointed to bi-partisan work with her office and the state Legislature to pass legislation like the locomotive fuel tax deduction that was a factor in attracting Union Pacific Railroad to the area, as well as the establishment of an overweight truck zone at the Santa Teresa port of entry.
“We made sure we put people before politics,” Martinez said as she shared the stage with state Sen. Mary Kay Papen and state Rep. Mary Helen Garcia.
“We need every job we get and these are good jobs,” Papen said.
Bizlink makes cables used in the manufacture of vehicles and some medical equipment.
“This is part of our expansion project for the year,” said Daniel Liang, general manager. “We are acquiring land in Texas and New Mexico.”
Santa Teresa Southern Railroad is a subsidiary of Illinois-based Ironhorse Resources, which operates five shortline railroads, two transload facilities and two trucking companies. The railroad works with Union Pacific and will provide rail services to Santa Teresa’s industrial parks and has purchased 22 acres in the area and will build 2.5 miles of track.
“(This is a) $3- (million) to $4-million dollar investment,” said Jeff Baskett with the company.
Ferza Group transports products from rail to truck to customers, moving bulk freight. The company has purchased 8.43 acres in Santa Teresa Intermodal Park. JH Rose Logistics provides transportation, warehousing and distribution services.
“I know we will see them thrive,” Martinez said of the companies.
Brook Stockberger may be reached at 575-541-5457; follow him on Twitter @Bstockberger
