Construction On Santa Teresa Rail Hub Begins

While the national economy is struggling, New Mexico’s economy may be booming.

Construction on a Union Pacific rail hub began Monday morning in Santa Teresa, where thousands of people will soon be employed.

State and local officials agree, this is a move in a new direction for New Mexico.

At a time when most companies are downsizing, Union Pacific is growing and bringing competition back to the southern part of the state.

“It always gives me great pride to call Governor Perry and let him know how we’re taking back our jobs from the state of Texas,” Gov. Susana Martinez, R-N.M., said.

Hundreds praised the promise of opportunity with a round of applause.

A train passed in the background and sounded its horn — a sound consistently ringing through the Union Pacific hub in El Paso — marking economic growth in Santa Teresa.

Martinez says the expansion is the economic boost for which New Mexico’s been waiting, bringing more than $500 million back to the state’s economy.

“I feel like we’ve just won the lottery,” said Dolores Saldana-Caviness, a Dona Ana County commissioner. “When someone wins the lottery, their lives change and their environment changes, and that’s the case here.”

Martinez and other local representatives kicked off construction of the rail facility with their engraves seals of approval.

“The best thing is the good news of growing jobs here in New Mexico, which is what we need to do in Washington,” U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., said.

In the next four years during construction, about 3,000 people will be hired.

Nearly 600 permanent jobs will be created after the facility is completed, with preference given to New Mexicans, Martinez said.

“The economy of this country is going to come roaring back, and they want to be ready when it does come roaring back,” U.S. Jeff Bingaman D-N.M., said.

The strategic location of the rail hub, right along the border, has all the elements to be a success, bringing in about $70 million annually and opening the door for other companies to come to the southern part of the state, Martinez said.

“Competition is what it’s all about,” Martinez said. “States competing with one another for the jobs, for the employees, for the locations for these businesses to come to. And that’s healthy — give the best deal possible on each side of the state line, we both end up winners.”

The project has been talked about for years, but official construction is now possible after legislation passed a tax exemption on diesel fuel during the last legislative session.

Completion is expected by 2015.