Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority Celebrates Mariposa Land Port’s Grand Opening on October 15
Two bi-national ceremonies in Nogales, Arizona on October 15 will mark the $244 Million expansion of the Mariposa Port of Entry. The newly completed state-of-the-art improvements have made this the most modern, sustainable and efficient port of entry on the U.S Mexico border.The port of entry expansion alone totals more than $184 million but with all the road improvements and transportation safety inspection facilities, the total investment by Arizona and its federal partners reaches close to $250 million that have been invested in Nogales and the principal corridor connecting Arizona and Mexico.
The first event, a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the General Services Administration (GSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will include a limited guest listdue tostrict federal security requirements. The second event, put on by the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority (Port Authority), is a community celebration open to the media.
The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will take placeat 10 a.m. Severaldignitaries are confirmed to attend. Senator Jeff Flake and Congressman Raul Grijalva will speak, as will several top-level federal officials from both Mexico and the United States.
Thecommunity celebration is at the Del Campo Warehouse facilities in Nogales, Arizona, at 11:30 a.m.Dignitaries attending the first ceremony will also speak at this event. Because security is also required, those interested in attending should call 520.841.0405or via email .
Bruce Bracker, Chairman of the Port Authority, notes the historic significance of this immense investment. “These improvements are the culmination of nine years of dedication and collaboration by the Port Authority and all our partners, including the City of Nogales, the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the Office of the Governor, and many, many more – a true team effort,” stated Bracker.“That is why we are hosting a community celebration to complement the formal ceremony hosted by the GSA and CBP. This is a milestone achievement for our community which for generations has been literally on the frontier of international trade. We are also proud that our new port will be an economic boon to the entire state,” added Bracker.
The infrastructure improvements at the Mariposa Port of Entry, which Nogales calls “The Port of the Future.”, did not happen by chance. Nogales business leaders, including the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Economic Development Foundation, the Nogales Customs Brokers Association, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas and the Association of Maquiladoras of Sonoracame together as early as 2001 to forge a long-range plan to meet the area’s future trade needs. In 2005, these organizations incorporated the Port Authority, an organization that went on to become one of the principal organizations advocating for the FY 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that enabled the project to happen. The Port Authority continues to meet repeatedly with lawmakers and key decision makers and to make the case for increased staffing at the port. The Arizona ports are pleased to be receiving 170 new Customs officers (8% of the total new staff in the 2013 federal budget.).
The expanded Mariposa Port of Entry is designed to accommodate future needs as well. The facility will now be able to process more than 4,000 trucks per day. It also has 12 car lanes and a bus lane. This port now ranks among the largest in the nation in throughput capacity. The Port Authority intends to continue to play a leading role and see that Nogales continues to “Get it Right” in the growing trade between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The business culture of Ambos/Nogales is world-class with customs brokers who draw on generations of relationships to expedite trade. Nogales is an international logistics and transportation hub with facilities and services to match.
About The Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority:
Founded in December 2004, the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority (GNSCCPA) brings key stakeholders from Ambos Nogales together to address issues that impact Nogales’ ports of entry. Working with local, state, federal and international partners, the GNSCCPA strives to improve Arizona’s largest port facilities, streamline the crossing process at the Nogales ports of entry, and enhance economic development in the Nogales-Santa Cruz County region. For more information, please visit
About The Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association:
The Nogales U.S Customs Brokers Association is comprised of 16 U.S. Customs Brokerage firms assisting importers and exporters in meeting Federal requirements governing imports and exports to and from the United States. Brokers work closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the handling of entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for the imported merchandise of their perspective clients. The NCBA is very involved in the community, supporting numerous non-profit groups and organizations. It also champions trade and industry organizations supporting the region.
About The Nogales Santa Cruz County Economic Development Foundation:
The Nogales Santa Cruz County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) works to strengthen trade and economic development in the Ambos/Nogales region The EDF assists firms operating in or interested in operating in Santa Cruz County and serves as a conduit for disseminating bi-national information of interest to business. The EDF is also the grantee of FTZ 60, Nogales’ Foreign Trade Zone, which has Santa Cruz County, Arizona as a service area. EDF works with interested operators to provide the benefits of the federal Foreign Trade Zone program to companies interested in locating in the region.
About the Association of Maquiladoras of Sonora:
The Association of Maquiladoras of Sonora (AMS) is a private organization established as a Civil Association (non-profit) in 1972, originally formed by the companies in the Nogales Industrial Park. AMS is part of Index National, which integrates 22 Maquiladoras Associations throughout Mexico. The membership of AMS consists mainly of regional Maquiladora Plants operating throughout the State of Sonora, and suppliers of direct goods and services whose intention is to share information of common interest to this dynamic sector. AMS works with Local, State, and Federal authorities on both sides of the border, and in strategic alliances with other businesses organizations to provide an environment of mutual support among the associates. AMS facilitates representation of the interests of the Maquiladora Industry before diverse forums to heed, analyze and seek solutions to the problems that affect the Maquiladora and Exportation
Industry, promoting measures that favor the membership. AMS provides current and official information that affects operations to its members, and promotes continuous improvement training and human capital development of its membership.
Media Contact:
Sandra Kay Helsel, Ph.D.
858.752.1212