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‘A big win for New Mexico’: MLG signs site-readiness bills into law
Economic Development Department Secretary Rob Black presents to a legislative committee during the session in January. The governor signed EDD-backed site-readiness bills into law this week.
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It’s time to get that shovel in the ground.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed 60 bills into law, including two measures related to “site readiness” essentially allowing the state to get a head start on developing infrastructure like utilities, roads and internet at prime development sites.
It can take years to set up that infrastructure, which results in holdups from when a developer chooses to work on a site in New Mexico to actually getting operations running.
The state has received money in the past to study site readiness, including creating an asset map compiling land that is well-positioned for development. The newly signed bills, paired with a $24 million budget appropriation contingent upon gubernatorial approval, allow the state to go a step further, continuing to characterize sites but also physically preparing land for development.
It also allows public utilities to get money back through customer bill surcharges for state-approved infrastructure deployment on empty land that’s prime for economic development.
Economic Development Secretary Rob Black described the site-readiness package as “a big win for New Mexico.”
“Having sites shovel-ready for companies to move in and get started makes us a smart choice for business, and that ultimately translates into more jobs and prosperity for families across our state,” Black said in a statement to the Journal.
Danielle Casey, president and CEO of Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, or AREA, said the signing is worth celebrating and then “immediately getting to work.”
“I am thrilled for the tremendous support that has been shown for the need to for site readiness to improve our state’s competitive position for attracting new business investment and creating jobs for New Mexicans,” she said.
Lujan Grisham has also been vocal in her support of the site-readiness measures, meaning the budget she releases this week could include the $24 million appropriation, which divides $8 million appropriations over the next three fiscal years.
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The newly signed laws go into effect this summer.
