A push to create more trade ports in New Mexico is now under review in the New Mexico House of Representatives with hopes for a full vote before the legislature wraps up its work in late March.
The bill, sponsored by Democrat Representative Patricia Lundstrom, would empower the State of New Mexico to create what in essence would be business parks that can be used as distribution and processing centers.
House Bill 19, would, according to its language, “help stimulate the economy by taking advantage of existing infrastructure assets.”
Already approved in the House Committees of Economic Development and Taxation and Revenue, what is being called the Trade Ports Development Act is being seen as a means to increase both interstate and international trade throughout New Mexico.
“We want New Mexico to be more than just a bridge state,” remarked Lundstrom in a press conference. “We want it to be an economic powerhouse.”
Although there are already two existing trade ports in Santa Teresa and Columbus, the creation of new trade ports might prove especially beneficial, said Lundstrom, in more rural areas of the state.
According to an analysis of the bill conducted by the Legislative Finance Committee, such parks are often defined by their proximity to a “designated federal interstate highway or other four-lane vehicular highway,” as well as “proximity to an airport that can provide national and international passenger and air freight service.”
“Criteria for trade port projects includes, but is not limited to, cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility, technological feasibility, projected time frame, and projected impact on economic development,” the analysis continued.
If approved, the Trade Ports Development Act would become effective on July 1.
February 20, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of Pixabay
