SANTA FE – Numbers in today from the New Mexico Border Authority report that in 2012 the Santa Teresa Port of Entry processed 81,339 commercial trucks – 13 percent higher than any year on record. The Columbus Port of Entry processed 10,627 commercial trucks with 18 percent more crossings than any year on record as well as an 11 percent growth in pedestrians from the previous year.
“We are pleased in the growth of commercial crossings at our border ports,” said Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela. “As we focus on New Mexico’s border area and promote the region as the place for manufacturing, logistics and transportation we expect this growth to continue especially with Union Pacific nearing completion of their rail facility, trucking companies like Ferza relocating to the area and international manufacturing companies building warehousing space in the Santa Teresa Borderplex.”
Secretary Barela added that the creation of the Six Mile Overweight Cargo Radius signed into law by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2011 has also contributed to this growth. “The overweight zone has proven to be a success with several companies having relocated to the New Mexico Borderplex,” he said. “This initiative was a strategic move to create jobs by making it easier trucks coming from Mexico with large loads to cross through New Mexico and unload their cargo here.”
The increase in demand for chile and other agriculture exports has mostly driven the growth in crossings at the Columbus Port of Entry and producers such as Border Food in Deming are responding to that demand.
The New Mexico Border Authority is an administratively attached agency of the New Mexico Economic Development Department dedicated to creating strong and efficient partnerships with public and private stakeholders and by being involved in international trade activities on both sides of the border. In addition, they assist businesses and travelers in crossing the border and we disseminate information related to regulations and procedures affecting leisure and commercial travel through New Mexico’s ports of entry. For more information on the New Mexico Border Authority visit, http://www.nmborder.com/.
