Cabinet Secretary to Deliver Legislative Wrap Up and Outlook on FY2017 

Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela will be the featured speaker at the March meeting of the MVEDA Business in the Borderplex Forum. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 S. Telshor. The meeting will begin with a hot entree buffet and a brief update by MVEDA staff.

Secretary Barela was appointed by Governor Susana Martinez in 2010 and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate. In 2015, he was reappointed by Governor Martinez and unanimously reconfirmed.

Since taking office, New Mexico has become a leader in export growth.  According to the United States Department of Commerce, the state now ranks No. 1 in export growth and export-related job creation.  During his tenure, New Mexico’s experienced a 107% increase in export-related job growth.  Additionally, worldwide exports from New Mexico have increased 253%. This includes a 400% spike in exports to Mexico, with commerce there doubling from 2013 to 2014. As a result of his trade initiatives, over 16,000 jobs have been added. 

Barela has been a leader in making New Mexico more business friendly.  He was instrumental in leading the efforts to reform the tax structure by lowering the state's business tax rate 22 percent – from 7.6 to 5.9 percent and implementing a single sales factor which virtually eliminates the business tax on manufacturers. A 2014 study by Ernst & Young now ranks New Mexico as the best state in the western U.S. for manufacturing and in a recent report by CNBC, New Mexico was the most improved state in its ranking of business competitiveness.

Advance registration is $25.00 per person, payable by major credit card via the secure PayPal portal on the registration form. Payment at the door with cash, check or credit card is $30.00 per person. Due to space constraints reservations are required. Registration closes Thursday, February 25, 2016.