Former Solo Cup facility has prospective buyers

July 14, 2009

The former Solo Cup facility up for sale in an NAI real estate listing.

The former Solo Cup manufacturing facility located south of Rio Communities, which began to phase out its operations nearly a year ago and has since ceased operations, is seeing a lot of interest but still has no buyer.

“Through the assistance of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership, Belen EDC has given over five tours in the last six months,” said Claudette Riley, the executive director of the Greater Belen Economic Development Corporation. “And this does not include any interest that has been brought in through the broker.”

The interested buyers operate in renewable energy and light manufacturing, Riley said. She couldn’t release specifics about the companies because that information is kept secret to protect the companies from their competitors.

“Some of the companies are still showing an interest and we (Solo Cup and Belen EDC) would hope to have the facility occupied soon,” she said.

In the meantime, a portion of the facility has been temporarily leased by Wal-Mart, with two former Solo Cup employees, “who otherwise would have had their jobs terminated,” on staff, Riley said.

Prior to closing in March, Solo Cup manufactured paper products, including cups. The company had around 215 employees, who could have either moved to a consolidated Solo Cup facility in Texas or had their jobs phased out.

The 165,000 square foot facility has a $5.9-million price tag attached to it.

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