NEW MEXICO MERCHANDISE EXPORTED TO OLD MEXICO IS ON THE RISE. IN FACT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY JON BARELA SAYS IT WAS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH IN 2012, 50 PERCENT HIGHER THAN EXPORTS IN 2011. HE SAYS IT GREW FROM $454,454,000 IN 2011 TO $617,609,684 LAST YEAR.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE NEW MEXICO'S BORDER IS POISED FOR EVEN MORE GROWTH. BARELA SAYS THEY'RE SEEING EVIDENCE OF THAT NOW, WITH A SPIKE IN TRUCK CROSSINGS AT THE SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY. HE SAYS THE NEW UNION PACIFIC RAIL FACILITY NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION WILL ALSO BE A BIG ECONOMIC DRIVER. BARELA SAYS IT'LL BE A GAME-CHANGER IN THE SENSE THAT WAREHOUSING, MANUFACTURING, AND TRANSPORTATION JOBS WILL ALL BE LOCATED IN THAT AREA.

OVER 81-THOUSAND TRUCKS USED THE SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY LAST YEAR. THAT'S 13 PERCENT HIGHER THAN ANY PREVIOUS YEAR.