Governor Martinez announces 40 new jobs coming to Dona Ana County

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is taking steps to diversify the state’s economy.

Thursday, she announced 40 jobs are coming to the city of Las Cruces and Doa Ana County as part of her efforts to attract businesses to the border region.

The 40 new jobs will be split between the Pecan Brewery in Las Cruces and Valley Cold Storage & Transportation in Santa Teresa.

The governor spoke at the Pecan Brewery on Thursday, where she announced it is receiving $200,000 from the Economic Development Department to renovate its new location. The funds come from the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), a tool that helps the state recruit new businesses while helping existing businesses grow.

Martinez also announced $140,000 will go toward the new storage facility in Santa Teresa.

The expansion at Pecan Brewery will allow it “to begin bottling and exporting its beer across the world,” according to a news release.

“We knew from day one when we walked in we had to diversify our economy,” Martinez said. “We want to make sure that those two industries are strong but we also want to make sure that when we diversify, one goes up or down or both start to trickle down, there’s something else that is picking up the state with revenues and that is why we’re able to have a surplus.”

During today’s announcement, Martinez also revealed the state will also invest $1.8 million in a new water well in Santa Teresa.