Santa Teresa’s Port of entry has exploded as a trade zone. New Mexico received nearly twelve thousand commercial crossings each month — only a small part of the traffic neighboring ports El Paso received each month.
There is a new energy from New Mexico to re-route some of Texas’ trade through Santa Teresa. This effort promotes big opportunities for both sides of the border.
“I think that the Santa Teresa-San Jeronimo project is one of the top three projects for the economic development department right now,” said New Mexico Economic Secretary Alicia Keyes.
Alicia Keys has been spending half her time on the border with the New Mexico EDD team working with NMBorderplex / MVEDA and leaders in Mexico to expand and upgrade the Santa Teresa port of Entry.
“Both sides, Mexico and New Mexico are very interested in creating a port of the future,” Keyes said.
The expansion is estimated to be $170 million and includes cutting-edge technology increasing the types of trucks that can pass through the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.
“We are one of the only land ports in this area, so we can accommodate big wind blades, we have the opportunity to expand,” said Keyes.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has focused on the expansion of international trade since she took office. Keyes said there was a massive assist from another state’s governor.
“Back in April, Governor Abbott from Texas put additional inspections on his side of the Texas border,” Keyes said. “Traffic stalled, we couldn’t get food over the border.”
These actions caused causes a ripple effect through communities all over the Southwest and New Mexico
“When something happens at the border, it affects the price of avocados, it affects the price of lettuce and tomatoes in New Mexico,” said Keyes. “And so we really take it very, very seriously.”
Article courtesy of Griffin Rushton | KOB
