Living In Las Cruces- Spring/Summer 2008

EDUCATION

By Justin Bannister
Images Courtesy of Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company and Studio D Architects

One of the loneliest places at New Mexico State University is set to transform into one of the busiest and most popular locations for research and development in the region - that's if university leaders have their way.

At least one company has already committed to set up shop at NMSU's Arrowhead Research Park, a large plot of land set aside for companies wishing to work with NMSU faculty, employ students and develop intellectual property. Those in charge of the project say to expect more companies to announce commitments to arrive soon.

"For thousands of years, this was just dirt," says Kevin Boberg, associate dean of the NMSU College of Business and CEO of NMSU's Arrowhead Center. "Now we will actually begin to see activity there. There will actually be roads and buildings."

Right now, the research park is 180 acres of undeveloped desert between Interstates 10 and 25. NMSU established the park nearly 20 years ago, but until now the lone building on the site was the General Dynamics Spaceplex, built in 2001.

Boberg said because of its prominent location between two major interstate highways and proximity to NMSU, the Arrowhead Research Park should be an attractive location for companies.

"We are currently in the early stages of creating momentum," says Mickey Clute, managing member of Arrowhead Development, the company chosen by NMSU to develop the park. Clute and others involved with Arrowhead Development, including Lee Atchison and Danny Villanueva each have strong ties to NMSU.

Construction is scheduled to take place throughout much of 2008. The initial development phase of the park involves 11 acres along Sam Steel Way next to Interstate 10. The first building there will have 15,000 sq.-feet of office and laboratory space with an option for an expansion of up to 10,000 sq.-feet. Later, an additional six buildings, totaling 120,000 sq.-feet will be added.

"If we are successful in this phase, that makes it easier to develop the next 180 acres when we go to sell this to other potential tenants," says Clute, who confirmed that talks are underway with several companies interested in moving to the park.

"We're attempting to attract aerospace companies who would want to work with Spaceport America," says Garrey Carruthers, NMSU business dean and vice president for economic development. Carruthers also says NMSU is trying to draw in companies specializing in future combat systems who would want to work with White Sands Missile Range and companies in border development, biosciences and biofuels. "All of these industries are part of this region's aspirations for growth," says Carruthers.

Boberg emphasizes the importance of NMSU faculty and student involvement with companies that move into the park.

"Faculty and students will be an important part of the park. They will be given new opportunities here," he says. "This will let students roll up their sleeves and gain real-world work experience. Students will be engaged in developing and deploying applications that utilize the principles and knowledge they have learned in the classroom. This will help our students and help us to fulfill our institutional mission."

A consultation firm estimates the entire park has the potential to hold 2.5 million sq.-feet of 'class-A' office and lab space. Five to 6,000 people could work there, roughly the same number of faculty, staff and students NMSU already employs throughout the entire university system.

Boberg said he initially felt the firm's projected five to seven year build out of the first phase of the park was rather ambitious. Now, he says it looks like construction may take less time than that.

"Sometimes I think it's like rubbing sticks together to build a fire. Eventually you have that one small spark and then the whole thing goes up," he says. "Now we just have to make sure the roads and utilities are in order. These are wonderful problems to have."

All research park development will be public/private partnerships where NMSU provides the land and infrastructure while the private sector handles building expenses and provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

Carruthers says it is an integral part of NMSU's plan to assist in the economic development of Southern New Mexico. Proceeds from the park's development will fund fellowships for students pursuing careers in business and economic development.