From left, Española Mayor Alice Lucero, NMEDD Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela, Gov. Susana Martinez and Celina and Eric Quintana Break Ground at PMI’s New Site. Courtesy photo
BUSINESS News:
ESPANOLA – Eric Quintana, founder of Performance Maintenance, Inc. (PMI), is putting down roots for his growing business with a new expansion in Española. Since launching PMI with his wife Celina from their home in 1994, the company now boasts more than 80 employees in two states.
Gov. Susana Martinez and New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela were the honored guests of the Regional Development Corporation (RDC), also based in Española, who hosted a public groundbreaking at the site (835 N Paseo del Oñate, Española) Tuesday. The groundbreaking ushered in the next phase for PMI, which will some 50 new jobs.
Immediately following the groundbreaking at PMI’s new site, the Governor and Cabinet Secretary cut the ribbon at another new Española business – Blue Heron Brewing just opened a new taproom at 100 Los Alamos Highway.
“I could not be happier with the news of the expansion of both PMI and Blue Heron Brewing Company in Española in northern New Mexico,” the Governor said. “Small, local businesses like these are exactly the kind of enterprises we want to help grow. When they succeed, our families and communities succeed.”
Kathy Keith, RDC executive director, stated “The RDC is excited to collaborate with PMI on this building project that will bring so many new jobs to Española. We’ve watched them grow with critical assistance during the early years from our partners at the SBDC. Their expansion is due to assistance from Los Alamos Connect, an economic development investment by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Security LLC”.
For Quintana, sustainability is what it’s all about. What started as a part time endeavor to bring in extra spending money has blossomed into a company that enjoys long-term relationships with its clients and its employees in two states (New Mexico and Texas). As the need to expand became a reality, Quintana was adamant in requiring the contractors bidding on the job to report where their materials and laborers would come from.
“It’s not enough to have 50 percent of your materials and labor coming from right here in New Mexico,” Quintana said. “I am happy to report that the contractor I am hiring is able to supply 100 percent of the labor from right here in Northern New Mexico, as well as eighty percent of the materials.”
‘There is an outpouring of support from local government entities and the business community in Española now, but getting to this point would not have happened without key assistance from Los Alamos Connect, the primary business development investment of Los Alamos National Security, LLC, and administered by the RDC.
“Val has been instrumental. He introduced me to all the important players in financing this venture, helped me initiate negotiations with the County for a tax incentive structure that will help create more jobs more quickly.”
Juan E. Torres, Finance Specialist with the New Mexico of Economic Development Department, worked with Alonzo to put together a financing package for PMI. Alonzo also facilitated assistance from the City of Española through LEDA (Local Economic Development Act) funds to help offset some of the permitting costs.
“One of our main priorities in the Economic Development Department is promoting the success of our local, existing small businesses,” Barela said. “That is why it is great that our Finance Development Team was able to help both businesses secure financing for these projects and our Office of Business Advocacy was able to assist with regulatory and permitting needs.”
When the project is completed, the new custom facility on Paseo del Oñate will be “built to clean from A to Z” according to Quintana. It will serve as a superstore distribution center for PMI’s new e-commerce division, warehouse the company’s line of green cleaning products and will have the capabilities to clean almost anything on site. It is expected to open in November 2014.
About PMI, Inc.
Established in 1994 by Eric and Celina Quintana, Performance Maintenance, Inc. (PMI) delivers service and supplies throughout Northern New Mexico and Texas. Committed to growing in Northern New Mexico, PMI is currently expanding operations in Española and designing their proprietary line of products and equipment (PMI Green Solutions) to minimize their environmental footprint. Learn more at www.pmigogreen.com.
About Los Alamos Connect
Los Alamos Connect (www.losalamosconnect.net) is the principal economic development investment by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, the company that manages Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos Connect, administered by the Regional Development Corporation (www.rdcnm.org), provides a variety of services to help businesses achieve growth, continued success, and increase economic impact in Northern New Mexico.
