Sun-News report Article Launched: 09/15/2008 02:11:35 PM MDT
LAS CRUCES — A little more than a year has passed since New Mexico State University broke ground for its Arrowhead Research Park. Situated just off Sam Steel Way, between Interstates 10 and 25, the first 11 acres of land at the 257-acre research park will have up to seven buildings and 120,000 square feet of office and laboratory space.
Once fully developed, the entire research park could contain as much as 2.5 million square feet of office and lab space where a projected 5,000 to 6,000 people would work.
The university recently reported that the first building is expected to be completed in February. The building is approximately 15,000 square feet and represents a private-sector investment of approximately $3 million.
"It's possible that we could have that building fully occupied by the time it is done," said Pam Wood, project manager for the Arrowhead Center. "One company alone that we are talking to would bring 40 jobs by next February. These are high-paying jobs and they would have opportunities for NMSU graduates too."
Wood said she is speaking with government agencies as well as private contractors about moving into the research park. Once a building in the development is 60 percent occupied, work will begin on the next. The first 11 acres of land at the 257-acre research park will have up to seven buildings and 120,000 square feet of office and laboratory space.
"It's exciting to identify companies that have a synergy with NMSU and a desire to work with students and faculty," she said. "This project offers lots of opportunities for students."
In addition, road work will soon begin on a mile-long extension of Payne Street to Sam Steel Way through the research park. Once complete, the new connection will link the park to the rest of campus with two lanes for traffic, a bike path and utilities. The university reports that the development represents nearly $2 million in investment with money coming from the state of New Mexico, local road funds, the New Mexico Department of Transportation, NMSU funds and a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
"This road will allow development for the entire rest of the park," said Vickie Galindo, director of Arrowhead Center's work force development unit. "It took a lot of people to put this project together. That degree of cooperation is very important. We would not have been able to make this happen without the EDA and help from New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Fred Mondragon."
Also planned for the research park is an early college high school for the Las Cruces Public School District. The school would allow students to take college-level courses for credit.