Here's how capital outlay funds will be used in San Juan County

FARMINGTON — Millions of dollars will be invested into infrastructure in northwest New Mexico thanks to a Capital Outlay bill passed this legislative session.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill Friday allocating more than $900 million of capital outlay funds to various infrastructure projects throughout the state.

The legislation included some line item vetoes, but none of those impacted San Juan County entities.

Those line-item vetoes included $225,000 for music rooms at University of New Mexico’s College of Fine Arts, $500,000 for the University of New Mexico Olympic sports training facilities and $75,000 for the construction of a detention center in McKinley County.

San Juan County entities, Navajo Nation received millions of dollars 

The Navajo Nation received more than $28.7 million, and San Juan County entities received almost $30.4 million for infrastructure projects. Some of those funds overlapped because various Navajo Nation projects will be built in San Juan County.

"The successful outcome is due to the combined advocacy efforts of the Office of the President and Vice President and the 24th Navajo Nation Council. Working together, we were able to meet with legislators and the Governor on several occasions to explain how these funds will benefit our communities," said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez in a press release.

Navajo Nation projects include renewable energy, Shiprock judicial complex

In a press release, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer described the more than $27.8 million allocation as one of the largest investments of Capital Outlay funds to the tribe in recent Navajo Nation history.

"On behalf of the Navajo people, we offer our appreciation and gratitude to Governor Lujan Grisham and the members of the New Mexico State Legislature for supporting these much-needed infrastructure development projects," Lizer said.

The Navajo Nation’s largest single allocation from capital outlay was $3.15 million for the Shiprock judicial complex, which will house the police department and district court.

It also received $2 million for a renewable energy project. This money could be used for a solar project at Paragon Ranch south of Farmington, according to a press release.

Other projects include:

• $200,000 for solar street lights in Crownpoint
• $620,000 for a livestock research center at Diné College
• $400,000 for an agriculture multipurpose center at Diné College
• $362,500 for school security and communication equipment at Navajo Preparatory Academy
• $1.3 million for a traffic signal and safety improvements for New Mexico Highway 317 and Navajo Route 36
• $400,000 for Shiprock to develop a chapter complex plan

Aztec receives funding for two major projects

San Juan County entities that are not associated with the Navajo Nation received about $18.88 million in Capital Outlay funds.

The City of Aztec received the most funds of any single San Juan County entity. This includes about $3.16 million to complete the East Aztec Arterial Route, $2.5 million for the North Main Avenue extension project and $53,800 for upgrades to the Aztec Senior Center.

Farmers Mutual Ditch received $3.32 million that will help prevent landslides from blocking the ditch. Bloomfield Irrigation District received $650,000 for work on the ditch that is the primary source of drinking water for the City of Bloomfield.

Other projects include:

• $1.08 million for a stormwater detention pond in the Villa View subdivision in Farmington
• $1 million for a film studio in San Juan County
• $1.9 million for improving the pediatric unit at San Juan Regional Medical Center
• $1.4 million for mechanical infrastructure improvements at San Juan Regional Medical Center

A full list of projects can be found at nmlegis.gov.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.