Sunland Park, New Mexico

SUNLAND PARK , NEW MEX I CO and I do make that parallel sometimes that we’re growing together. It’s been good for both of us. I’ve gained a lot of experience from this particular job – more than any education would have given me. It was trial by fire when I came in and now we’re at a place where I’m more comfortable in this role. And the city is also in a position where it can really launch itself.” For any growing community, investing in infrastructure is critical. Through the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, Sunland Park is replacing water lines across the city and improving the wastewater facilities. Evidence of the growth spurt is obvious. Between two and three thousand new homes are planned for construction, and the development of an entertainment corridor in the downtown area is in the planning phase. Even bigger news is the proposed development of a new Port of Entry. “The Mayor of the City of Juarez, Mexico has asked to be lead for the project on the Mexican side,” Perea reports, “so that’s developing now. He sent a letter endorsing the project to the Mexican federal agencies and we’re looking for that to be a catalyst for further economic development. We’re in the process of changing the zoning of a 124-acre parcel within the city to be zoned commercial and this will help with the traffic coming over from Mexico, as a lot of Mexican nationals cross the border to shop here in America.” The environmental studies necessary for the Presidential Permit application, covering topics such as archeological, biological, water, hazardous materials and land resources reviews for the new Port of Entry facility are now being finalized. The draft Environmental Assessment is anticipated to be submitted for review to state agencies by Fall 2020. Financial analyses are also being completed at this time. When the agency reviews are complete, the Presidential Permit application will be ready for submission by Sunland Park to the federal government by Spring to Summer 2021. A