SANTA FE -Governor Susana Martinez signed the Capital Outlay Bill Tuesday which includes $1.85 million in capital improvements for the Santa Teresa Water System Infrastructure Project.
 
“This project is an important element to infrastructure development, public safety and job creation in Santa Teresa,” said Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela. “It will improve water service for industrial, commercial, and residential customers southern Doña Ana County and the surrounding border region.”
 
The funding is part of Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) that includes planning, design, permitting, and construction to the existing Doña Ana County Wastewater Treatment Plant, and building new water and wastewater treatment facilities and piping at the Santa Teresa Industrial Park.
 
“The Santa Teresa Water System Infrastructure Project improvements are critical for many companies located at the border to have the adequate water pressure needed to operate,” said Jerry Pacheco, vice-president of the Border Industrial Association, which represents 45 companies located near New Mexico's southern border that employ approximately 2,000 workers. “The project will also help recruit and relocate companies from El Paso and other areas and retain the existing companies along the border.”
 
There are five components of the full project including new water wells, replacing water pumps, a new water storage tank, replacing the domestic booster station, and replacing the fire pump.
 
The Economic Development Department's Office of Business Advocacy and the EDD Financial Development Team have spearheaded the LEDA funding efforts for the waste water system in Santa Teresa since January 4, 2011.
 
The $86 million Capital Outlay bill was approved by the Legislature during a special session, which ended in September.