About
Mission: the most efficient And effective Ports of Entry.
Nogales is the largest Port of Entry for Fresh Produce in the United States
Nogales is the largest Port of Entry for Fresh Produce in the United States
In partnership with public and private sectors, the strategic mission of the Port Authority is to strengthen the regional economy, improve international trade and spur tourism and community development by making the international ports of entry and surrounding areas the most efficient and effective for generations to come.
Founded in December 2004, the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority (GNSCCPA)—or the Port Authority, for short—brings together the key stakeholders from the Ambos Nogales region together to address issues that impact our ports of entry.
Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority Core Strategies:
•Improve the key ports of entry in all aspects so that they function as effectively and efficiently as possible.
•Recognize the Ports of Entry are key to the region’s economy, act as a strong advocate and champion for nurturing, growing and promoting economic development opportunities and enhancing the quality of life in the region.
•Improve the Port Authority’s visibility and broaden the understanding of what we do and the impact on the region.
•Build the capacity to support the community’s vision for the Port Authority and move the goals and objectives forward.
What We Do
•Create Jobs
•Attract Investment
•Facilitate Trade
•Promote Growth
•Improve Quality of Life
Port Authority Priorities
Economic and Community Development.
Long-term prosperity comes from investing in people and place alongside infrastructure. The Port Authority promotes workforce development to build local talent, participates in the Downtown Revitalization Study to leverage the coming federal investment at DeConcini, and promotes the use of Foreign Trade Zone 60 to attract businesses and jobs. Together these efforts ensure the entire community shares in the growth that flows through our ports.
Modernizing Regional Infrastructure.
The backbone of cross-border commerce is modern, resilient infrastructure that moves people and goods efficiently. The Port Authority advocates for a connected system of regional improvements: modernizing the MX-15D Corredor/Libramiento and the DeConcini Port of Entry, developing a new multimodal facility, upgrading the I-19 interchanges at Ruby Road and Rio Rico Drive, and strengthening the Nogales east-west connectors. Together these projects address congestion, improve safety, and expand the region's capacity to handle record trade volumes for decades to come.
Facilitating International Trade and Travel.
Nogales is Arizona's principal gateway for trade and tourism with Mexico, and keeping that gateway efficient takes constant work. The Port Authority pushes to expedite traffic at the Querobabi Military Inspection Station, secure adequate staffing at our ports of entry, deploy SENTRI at the Mariposa Port of Entry, and protect the fresh produce import industry that feeds the nation. These priorities keep lawful trade and travel moving quickly while supporting the produce, retail, and tourism economy that depends on a well-functioning border.
Sustainability and Resiliency.
A thriving border region depends on infrastructure that can withstand environmental and operational stress. The Port Authority supports mitigating and preparing for binational stormwater incidents, securing redundant capacity at the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant, advancing the Santa Cruz County electric grid reliability project, and deploying drug-detection mesh in the International Outfall Interceptor. These efforts protect public health, the Santa Cruz River, and the reliable utilities and systems our communities and commerce rely on.