In 2011, Rio Ranchoans won’t have to drive to Albuquerque to get a Social Security card or conduct business with the Social Security Administration.

Lars Sego, of Dura Bilt Products, said the plan is to have a Social Security Administration office in the Enchanted Hills area by the end of 2010.

Last Tuesday, the Rio Rancho Planning and Zoning Board approved a site plan review for the office building on the property described as Commerce Center Commercial at Enchanted Hills, 4433 Jager Dr. Sego couldn’t go into too much detail on the project, but said the SSA building would be nice, safe and convenient and that they’re working hard to get it completed.

“This project has been expedited,” Sego said. “We’re working diligently on the project.”

He had praise for the City of Rio Rancho’s staff.

“The City of Rio Rancho has been excellent to work with in this process,” Sego said. “They return calls and everyone has been working diligently to get this thing out.”

Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack explained the importance of having a federal presence in the city.

“It’s important because it creates opportunities for other deferral services in our community,” he said. “Having an office in Rio Rancho would be more user-friendly and accessible for people who need Social Security services on the whole West Side.”

Swisstack said having the Social Security office will open the door for other federal opportunities.

“It will give us an opportunity to showcase what we can do in Rio Rancho,” he said. “Cracking that nut with that first federal building could have a multiplier effect.”

The building would be in District 6, which is represented by Kathy Colley.

“I think it’s always helpful to have any government entity in your hometown,” she said. “It seems to make life much easier in navigating the red tape.”

The Social Security office will join three state administration offices in the commerce center. Colley said that more retail shops are expected to pop up in the Enchanted Hills area.

“There are a number of plans in the works for retail in Enchanted Hills,” she said. “Once the economy bounces back a little bit, I think that will be the next area of explosive retail growth in Rio Rancho.”

Dura Bilt Products has plenty of experience in constructing SSA offices; they have recently built buildings in the Texas cities of Harlingen, Brownsville and Houston.

In April, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) announced that Social Security planned to open a building in Rio Rancho. At that time, they also announced the opening of the National Hearing Center in Albuquerque.

“Commissioner Astrue has been working very hard to address the backlog of Social Security cases, and New Mexicans are already seeing results,” Bingaman said. “I commend the commissioner for his efforts, and will work to ensure he has the funding he needs to eliminate the backlog. With the opening of the National Hearing Center in Albuquerque and the new office in Rio Rancho next year, Social Security will be able to better serve local residents and those waiting for disability decisions around the country.”