Water system manufacturer might build in Belen

July 22, 2010

The City of Belen is working with a water system manufacturer to help the company build its manufacturing facility in Belen, creating at least 40 new jobs.

Founded in 1997, FastDitch Inc. manufactures open-channel, thermoplastic water flow systems used for things like irrigation, water diversion, storm water control and other uses.

The product, called SmartDitch, has been used in places like Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, and Durango, Colorado.

The company is owned by a family of engineers and farmers from Vallecitos, New Mexico.

Maria Montoya, who works with FastDitch, presented information about the company at Monday night’s city council meeting, telling the city council she hoped to company can build in Belen.

She said the 30,000-square foot facility might be constructed in the Rio Grande Industrial Park, if the company can get financing.

The purpose of the facility is to begin manufacturing the company’s next generation of water flow systems, made from 95-percent recycled plastic. She said it would house the Southwest’s largest injection molding machine.

Montoya estimated initial job creation at 40, from technical to administrative, and estimated the company could be up and running in Belen within a year and a half.

The city is working with the company to streamline planning and construction of the facility.

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