Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
At their last meeting, Grant County commissioners voted unanimously to approve $400 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds for a green energy project that would be located in the southern portion of Grant County. The Great Divide Wind Farm, proposed by Scout Clean Energy LLC of Boulder, Colorado, will involve the construction of up to 100 wind turbines located approximately 14 miles east of Lordsburg. The Industrial Revenue Bonds will be used for the company to receive a significant break on taxes, and allow them to make PILOT payments to the county and school districts. The payments would be considerably larger than collecting taxes on the currently undeveloped grazing land. A “payment in lieu of taxes”, or PILOT payment, is a payment made to compensate a government for some or all of the property tax revenue lost due to tax exempt ownership or use of real property. The Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education has already offered their unanimous approval of the bonds.
City of Deming employees and volunteers from CASA, (Court Appointed Special Advocates), provided gifts as a part of its “Make a Child Smile” program this Christmas. Twenty foster children received gifts last week at Bell Elementary School. CASA Director, Viviana Silva, explained that a grant to purchase toys and have a party for the foster kids was not available this year and that city employees stepped up and purchased the needed gifts. A Christmas tree was placed in the lobby of the John Strand Municipal Building, and city employees pulled tags of the tree and shopped for the gifts requested. The CASA program in Deming and Luna County is a volunteer group that serves as an advocate and provides safety for children in foster care.
The Hurley Town Council has approved a contractor for the town water system improvement project that will provide water to the town after Freeport McMoRan ends their obligation to provide the services. For over 60 years, Hurley purchased water from the Chino Mines Company. General Hydronics Utilities, LLC will connect a well field located by the Grant County Airport. In addition, this project includes two new water wells, a transmission pipeline, and a booster pump station. The project is being funded by a $1.7 million Colonias grant, in addition to funds from the New Mexico Interstate Steam Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Town of Hurley. The total amount of funding adds up to approximately $6.7 million.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office has posted an alert regarding road construction in the Kimberly Street area in Silver City. TLC Construction will be continuing roadway reconstruction, including installation of curbs and gutters, and sidewalk and bike lanes. Kimberly Street will be closed for with a detour to be in place for approximately 2 weeks. Contractor’s hours of operation will be from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday with closures and traffic control 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For updated information visit New Mexico Department of Transportation at nmroads.com.
