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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Natural ReLeaf Expands Manufacturing to Las Cruces, New Mexico

02/26/2020
Natural ReLeaf is expanding and relocating its operation from Berino to Las Cruces, New Mexico. The company plans to add 56 jobs.

According to the New Mexico Economic Development Department, The company’s manufacturing facility and primary dispensary, located at 3497 Bataan Memorial West in Las Cruces, is scheduled to open by the end of February. Natural ReLeaf will create 56 jobs in various aspects of production over the next 2-3 years.

“Natural ReLeaf sees hemp as the future of agriculture, economic and job development,” Nicole Fuchs, Public Relations Manager at ReLeaf said. “New Mexico holds a lot of potential for the hemp industry: a long growing season, an abundance of sun, and a pool of talent that the hemp industry is waiting for - from plant scientists to brokers to chemical engineers. All of these factors together help Natural ReLeaf create the highest quality hemp flower and products."

New Mexico Economic Development Department has committed $600,000 in LEDA funds, matched by $5.3 million in private investment, toward the expansion of Natural ReLeaf.

The business began growing hemp in Berino last year with a 2019 crop yield of 10,000 pounds. It is now ready to expand manufacturing capacity and add eight greenhouses in Berino to allow for year-round growing.

Nicole Fuchs added she believes two factors make their company unique in the growing market. First, it is a “seed to shelf” business that is unusual in hemp manufacturing, and, secondly, the company is immersed in the Doña Ana science community.

“Agriculture is part of our history and culture, and now hemp is providing new opportunities for family farms,” Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said. Natural ReLeaf was assisted in its expansion by the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA).

“We continue to see a surge in activity in the industrial hemp industry, and companies are continuing to make investments throughout Doña Ana County and Las Cruces," MVEDA President CEO Davin Lopez said. "We are strategically creating a fully integrated industry, from cultivation, to advancement, to consumer product development. Natural ReLeaf exemplifies the opportunities we have to be leaders in an industry that has quickly already reached over $1 billion in sales within the U.S. alone.”

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