San Juan County: An Increasingly Diverse Manufacturing Hub
San Juan County is primed and eager to diversify its manufacturing industries, which have historically been centered around natural gas, oil, coal mining and electric power generation.
Manufacturers looking to expand or relocate to the Four Corners region will find:
- A great selection of available and affordable land
- Attractive electric and water utility rates
- A highly capable workforce
- Business resource partners such as Four Corners Economic Development
- Multiple financing and tax incentives
- Business-focused local government
Available Land and Buildings
Manufacturing site locators are encouraged to examine the wide variety of industrial-zoned vacant land and buildings in San Juan County using this site locator tool. Properties can be found in the following corridors:
- U.S. Highway 550 between the Cities of Bloomfield and Aztec.
- City of Farmington’s Metropolitan Development Area (MDA).
- The Town of Kirtland in western San Juan County.
- To the west along U.S. Highway 64.
The City of Farmington MDA particularly hopes to attract outdoor recreation and outdoor recreation manufacturing companies. To that end, the city’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Initiative (ORII) is targeting new light industrial fabrication and testing, recreation product manufacturing and testing and other creative industries.
Public-private partnerships, industrial revenue bonds, community development block grants, tax increment financing and the State of New Mexico’s Local Economic Development Act financing program can benefit new manufacturing investment in the MDA.
Some of the Lowest Utility Rates in the four states of the Four Corners Region!
The City of Farmington-owned Farmington Electric Utility System (FEUS) provides industrial scale electricity services at some of the lowest rates in New Mexico and the surrounding states in the Four Corners region. Click here for specific electric rate information.
Water and sanitary sewer utility services are provided by the Cities of Aztec, Bloomfield and Farmington, while natural gas services are handled by New Mexico Gas Company.
Capable Workforce
A dynamic and qualified workforce awaits manufacturers looking to start, relocate or expand their business in San Juan County.
The local labor force is…
- Just under 20,000-strong
- A population where 34% holds an associate’s degree or higher and 88% of the population has a high school degree.
Business Resource Partners
San Juan College’s Center for Workforce Development serves as a great resource partner for manufacturing employers, specializing in customized training for computer skills, soft skills and leadership training.
The Farmington office of the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership can further assist manufacturers with training in value steam mapping, Kata, scaling up and other subject matters of interest.
Financing and Tax Incentives for Manufacturers
San Juan County and the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department offer manufacturers a variety of financing and tax incentives. The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) funds classroom and on-the-job training for newly-created jobs in expanding or relocating businesses for up to six months. The program reimburses 50-75% of employee wages.
Click here to learn more about New Mexico’s generous training and economic development incentives.
Business-Focused Local Government
Four Corners Economic Development wants your manufacturing business to call San Juan County home! Contact us to learn more about the business-friendly elected leadership and city and town managers of Aztec, Bloomfield, Farmington and Kirtland.