Features
New Mexico 9000 Program Celebrates Its
2010 Central New Mexico Graduating Class
The New Mexico 9000 program celebrated their 2010 Central New Mexico graduating class in July. 21 companies in the class became compliant in International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2008) qualifications, a necessary requirement for businesses to bid on government contracts and do business overseas.
“This program is an incredible instrument for economic development,” said Fred Mondragón, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development. “Not only does it allow New Mexico companies to compete globally, but the fact that we are the only state to offer such a program makes it a valuable recruiting tool to bring new business to the state.”
Here are the New Mexico 9000 2010 Central New Mexico class graduates:
|
|
“ISO certification opens doors for our New Mexico businesses across the entire economic spectrum,” stated Ken Manicki, Senior Program Manager of the New Mexico 9000 “Hospitals, engineering firms, software developers, manufacturing, lawyers, schools, and many more have benefited from becoming certified.”
New Solar Technology and R & D Facilities Established at Mesa Del Sol
Secretary Mondragón joined Governor Bill Richardson, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry and Bernalillo County Officials to announce that two new green energy projects, the CFV Solar Test Laboratory and the Fraunhofer R&D Facility, will begin operations at Mesa del Sol later this year. The two entities will create 30-40 new renewable energy jobs and will be a major attraction for solar technology investment in New Mexico.
“Our pro-business attitude and leadership in renewable energy innovation is drawing international attention,” stated Secretary Mondragón. “These companies from Germany and Canada are another welcome addition to our growing solar industry, and will help attract even more interest and investment into New Mexico.”
The CFV Solar Test Laboratory is a joint effort between CSA Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems, and VDE Testing and Certification Institute. The new lab will test products for certification to North American and International photovoltaic test standards.
In addition to the CFV Solar Test Laboratory, Fraunhofer CSE and Fraunhofer ISE will operate a R&D facility at the same location, focusing on long-term reliability, reduced costs and increased performance of PV modules.
"We are very excited about the location of our new test facility. The vast majority of photovoltaic (PV) installations in the U.S. will be located in the Southwest, and Albuquerque allows us to be close to those markets,” said Christian Hoepfner, President, CFV Solar Test Laboratories, and Director of Technical Operations, Fraunhofer CSE. “The State of New Mexico, Bernalillo County, and the City of Albuquerque are very committed to developing the solar industry in their region and have been extremely helpful in making this project a reality.”
The new facilities will be located in the former Advent Solar Building in the Mesa del Sol development. This location provides excellent access to the airport, Sandia National Labs, the University of New Mexico, and other major players in the PV supply chain.
Roswell Welcomes AerSale, 200 Potential Jobs
Cabinet Secretary Mondragón and local county and city leadership joined Governor Bill Richardson in Roswell to announce that AerSale, Inc. has acquired assets from Great Southwest Aviation, including 15 employees, and plans to add 100 to 200 mechanics, inspectors and support staff as it grows its aircraft leasing business.
AerSale, a Florida based company, has also acquired approximately 200,000 square feet of aircraft hangar and warehouse space at the Roswell International Air Center (RIAC), and plans to acquire over $1 billion of aircraft over the next 5 years.
“AerSale adds to the great aviation tradition of Roswell, and we are proud they selected New Mexico as their home,” stated Secretary Mondragón. “We are also pleased that AerSale is taking advantage of the workforce opportunities and infrastructure assets the state has to offer, including the reuse an existing facility at the RIAC.”
AerSale is a global provider of aftermarket aircraft, engines, and their component parts to airlines, leasing companies, and original equipment manufacturers (OEM)/ maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service providers. AerSale has purchased or committed to purchase 56 commercial aircraft,
In addition to the hanger space, the company also acquired tooling, ground support equipment, and an FAA-approved Certified Repair Station license which will authorize it to work on both narrow-body and wide-body commercial jet aircraft.
MainStreet 25th Anniversary Poster Unveiled in Silver City
MainStreet 25th Anniversary commemorative poster
The year-long 25th Anniversary celebration of New Mexico MainStreet continued with the unveiling of the 25th Anniversary commemorative poster at a ceremony held in the courtyard of the Silver City Museum. The event included the reading of a proclamation from Governor Bill Richardson declaring Saturday, May 15th as “Silver City MainStreet Day.”
The poster was created by Glorieta artist William Rotsaert and depicts an idyllic main street scene that encapsulates positive expression of downtown revitalization. Mr. Rotsaert specializes in illustrating the historic buildings and cultural landscapes of New Mexico.
The event included messages from both Congressman Udall and Senator Bingaman’s offices, as well as speeches from Deputy Cabinet Secretary Toni Balzano, Mayor James Marshall, State Representative Rudy Martinez and local MainStreet leadership. Also included in the event was the awarding by the Economic Development Department of two framed pictures to Silver City MainStreet of Silver City’s “Then and Now” contest winning entries.
Over the last eight years, 49 new businesses have been created on Silver City's MainStreet, resulting in $4 million in private reinvestment.
Cibola County Sizes Up Economic Opportunities with Summit
Secretary Mondragón and key staff members started off May with a visit to Grants to speak with Cibola County leadership about economic opportunities in their community. Their day included a roundtable discussion with approximately 30 local leaders, a lunch with the Mayor of Milan and a tour of a local machine shop/processing plant/warehouse space.
“Economic development starts from the ground up, that is why it is so essential to get out into the communities to listen to their needs and share their ideas,” stated Secretary Mondragón.
Topics covered included the development plans for a local hospital and library, potential filmmaking in Cibola County and possible uranium mining opportunities.
State Senator David Ulibarri said it is a department like Economic Development that will improve the economy, “not more training, not more taxes, no new laws and not congress. We need to create jobs.”
In addition to Ulibarri, other local staff included Cibola County Commission Chairman Eddie Michael, Cibola County Manager Scott Vinson and Grants City Manager Bob Horacek.
Representatives from the NMFA and USDA were also present, as were officials from the offices of Senator Bingaman, Congressman Udall and Congressman Teague.