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Satellite teleport, data center to create tech jobs

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By ALTA LeCOMPTE

Las Cruces Bulletin

After establishing itself as a wireless satellite network in rural communities around the globe, X2nSat is focusing on serving the rural Southwest from its future facility on the West Mesa.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Oct. 14 in a ceremony at the Plaza de Las Cruces that X2n-Sat would bring 45 new, high-paying data and analysis jobs to Las Cruces.

Martinez said X2nSat would pay up to $100,000 and provide health care insurance coverage for all full timers.

Continuing the governor’s theme, Las Cruces City Councillor Jack Eakman said, “They need engineers. New Mexico State, Doña Ana Community College … graduates will have opportunities to stay in New Mexico where they belong.”

X2nSat CEO Garrett

Gov. Susana Martinez took part in an Oct. 14 announcement that the wireless satellite company X2nSat will build a 15,000-square-foot data center in the West Mesa Industrial Park, creating high-paying technical jobs.

BULLETIN PHOTO BY ALTA LeCOMPTE

Hill described the company as a small business that has fallen in love with rural communities.

He said the company has gateway facilities in northern California and Atlanta.

“This will be the third of these gateways,” he said.

Hill called Las Cruces the perfect location — about as far south as you can get without actually being in Mexico.

“We evaluated locations in four or five states,” he said. “New Mexico and Las Cruces really hit the spot for us. You have a beautiful city and a fantastic state, great people.”

He said X2nSat was looking for a southerly location, dry and storm free, with an available workforce and affordable building costs.

He also cited proximity to New Mexico State University.

Hill praised the responsiveness of state and local officials.

“We’re a small business. When we go to work with a municipality, the smallest thing (going wrong) can leave a bad taste in your mouth.”

Recruiting X2nSat was a joint effort that included the City of Las Cruces, Wayne Savage of Arrowhead Park on the New Mexico State University campus, the New Mexico Department of Economic Development and the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance.

According to MVEDA, X2nSat will receive $300,000 in state LEDA funds for its new building and utilities, and additional LEDA support from the city.

When the company begins hiring it will likely be eligible for JTIP job training support from the state.

Hill said X2nSat sells its services to the health care industry and to oil and gas companies for satellite monitoring.

“Utility companies are a big part of our operation,” he said. “Smart grids allow companies to make better energy decisions, sensors allow the grid to tell you what’s happening.”

He said X2nSat has acquired 12 acres on the West Mesa with room to grow.

“We could grow to 100 jobs in five to 10 years,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Greg Smith said X2nSat is bringing technology, communication and connectivity with medical endeavors such as Burrell College, as well as Spaceport America, NMSU “and things happening on our West Mesa.”

“There are things coming together here in Las Cruces,” he said. “The communication area is going to ramp up in a big way.”

The company provides wireless and communication services to a variety of industries, according to the X2nSat website.

“X2nSat is an enterprise- specific and government- specific telecommunications and satellite solutions provider,” the website states. “Our ingenious team of in-house experts develops solutions for enterprises, IT, rural telephony, maritime, utilities, pipelines and other mission-critical applications for any industry.”

Alta LeCompte can be reached at lecompte. alta@gmail.com or 575343- 7478.




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