New Plant to Make Stamps Too : U.S. May Print Money in S.D. County

The U.S. Bureau of Printing and Engraving announced Friday that San Diego is among 11 finalists being considered for the site of what will be the nation’s second-largest federal printing plant, producing 25% of the nation’s currency, postage stamps and other documents.

Rep. Jim Bates (D-San Diego) received a letter from the Bureau of Printing and Engraving on Friday confirming that San Diego is a finalist for the $50-million plant, which will employ 200 people. Bates said “Otay Mesa or South Bay would be ideal” for the 350,000-square-foot plant. The federal government is building the plant to augment the main printing plant in Washington.

Other cities being considered are Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Oakland and Los Angeles. The finalists were chosen from more than 80 cities in the West and Southwest.

Bates said the Treasury Department will begin final deliberations next month. Access to transportation centers and local economic and environmental factors will be weighed. The plant is to open in about two years.

“This appears to be a very lucrative, positive development to bring to the area,” Bates said. “San Diego should aggressively compete for it. It’s a clean, solid industry.”