A story came out today about a major $200 million investment in the port of San Luis – HERE. You’ve read in this blog that perhaps the one bright spot in our regions economic development future is  creating an inland port. Long beach is over run, deep sea ports are being planned in Guaymas Mexico and Tucson is smack dab in the middle of what is being called the Cana-Mex logistics pipeline.

Other communities are jocking for their share. The pipeline could through mid Texas, New Mexico or head out of Yuma and bypass Tucson all together. If we can pull together a plan, roll out the welcome mat and let the world know we are serious we could enjoy warehouse jobs, light manufacturing facilities and thousands of mid level paying jobs that are much needed in our region.

For this opportunity to materialize we’ll need to court the railroads, relieve traffic on the I-10 (which may include an I-10 bypass through environmentally sensitive areas). We’ll need to fast track the building process for companies looking to set up light manufacturing. In short we’ll have to show the world that we are ready for the chance to change our future. I for one don’t want to be looking back in 10 years and see the opportunity passing us by….literally.

About San Luis HERE

From the Yuma Sun;

With more than $200 million being invested in infrastructure improvements to the area, San Luis is beginning to shine with its potential as a logistical hub for the region, said Andrea Bereznak, border area project manager for the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp.

Those investments include construction of the new commercial San Luis 2 port of entry and area service highway, both of which are expected to be completed by next fall. Other projects include an Arizona Department of Transportation facility at the new port; the Gary Magrino Industrial Park, to be developed next to the new port; planned improvements to the existing San Luis 1 port of entry; and expansion of the city’s existing industrial park.

“Congestion at the ports is such a huge issue,” Bereznak said. “But there are only two new ports being built in the U.S. One is in Donna, Texas, and the other is San Luis 2, so there is a lot of excitement from companies doing international business.”

That includes U.S. companies that have been having goods assembled in Asia because of cheaper labor there, she said. With the rising cost of shipping the goods back to the United States, “it’s making more sense to do the assembly work in Mexico,” where the savings in transportation more than make up for the higher cost of labor there than in Asia.

That will bring more jobs to both sides of the border, Bereznak said — jobs that are badly needed in San Luis, with its high unemployment rate. Yuma County had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 19.8 percent in November 2008, the Arizona Department of Commerce reported, compared with 13.4 percent in November 2007.

Another project with the potential to affect the San Luis area is the planned development of a port at Punta Colonet, Sonora, and a railroad to carry goods from the Mexican seaport to the United States, Bereznak said.

“That project could have an impact on the area, but it’s unknown how much,” she said. “It will depend on what route the rail takes.”

Bereznak also had praise for the “pro-business, pro-community attitude” of the San Luis City Council, calling it positive for the city’s future.

“It’s exciting to work there, with the confluence of elements that support growth and development.”