Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela Announces Colorado Manufacturer Relocating to Grant County, Creating 10 Rural Jobs

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Santa Clara, NM - Today, July 25, 2016, New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela announced St. Claire's Organics, a Colorado manufacturer of candy and cough drops, is relocating its facility to the Village of Santa Clara and will create 10 manufacturing jobs. St. Claire's Organics' products are currently sold in the natural foods and mass market segments, both in the U.S. and in several countries abroad, a news release stated.

"Manufacturing is an industry that creates good jobs and brings new dollars to the state," Secretary Jon Barela said. "We welcome St. Claire's Organics to New Mexico and know they will make a positive impact in helping grow jobs in rural New Mexico."

The Economic Development Department will provide $100,000 in Local Economic Development Act funds to offset the cost of the land and building acquisition. LEDA serves as New Mexico's closing fund, and is a valuable tool for recruiting new businesses to the state while helping those that are already here grow and thrive. Governor Susana Martinez has fought to grow the closing fund to $56 million, up from nearly zeroed out when she took office.

"The decision to relocate our manufacturing facility to New Mexico was based on the state's welcoming attitude and friendly business environment," said Debra St. Claire, founder of St. Claire's Organics. "We believe we will be very successful here and appreciate the support from state and local leaders."

She also told those gathered that when she realized the name of her company and Santa Clara were the same in different languages, she looked for a domain name using Santa Clara, found it, secured it, and plans to also create organic Latino food products called Santa Clara Organics.

"I've just met some of the most wonderful people on this journey," St. Claire said. "I could not have done it without Jane Janson (Small Business Development Center director) and her encouragement. And then Mario LaFragola of the Deming SBDC came in and he's the banker guy. He got that figured out. I'm so excited to join this community. I can smell promise and progress."

St. Claire's will purchase an existing facility in the Santa Clara Industrial Park (along US Hwy 180, eight miles east of Silver City). The building needs significant remodel and some expansion to convert from woodworking to food product manufacturing.

In the past two months, Governor Susana Martinez and Secretary Barela have announced more than 1,700 jobs in a variety of industries throughout the state. These have come through a broad and diverse group of industries and sectors, including high-tech and traditional manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and finance. Some are home-grown New Mexico companies; others are national leaders in their industries.

"The Village of Santa Clara is thrilled that St. Claire's Organics will be making its new home here and will create new jobs," said Mayor Richard Bauch. "The large private-sector investment and economic impact in our village will benefit this area greatly."

St. Claire's Organics-