A big $90 million in federal funds has been approved in a U.S. Senate committee for the construction of a new dormitory for airmen at the Cannon Air Force Base, just to the southwest of Clovis.
The funding received a green light through a lopsided 26 to 3 vote in the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and was proposed by New Mexico Democrat Martin Heinrich, who is a standing member of that committee.
As presented, the new dormitory upon completion will have enough space for up to 192 beds.
Additional funding for Cannon approved by the committee is seeing $8.1 million going for Security Forces facility upgrades. According to a press release issued by Heinrich’s office, the new training facility will be designed to “support the continued growth of this Security Force unit.”
What was formerly called the Clovis Air Force Base was launched as a military training facility during World War II and re-named the Cannon Air Force Base in 1957.
Comprised of nearly 3,800 acres, Cannon is the home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, otherwise known as the “Steadfast Line.”
With just under 2,900 people living at Cannon, including soldiers, families, and staff, the base has recently seen the construction of an indoor playground and a grocery store.
That store, according to a Cannon press release, is seen as a “one-of-a-kind store constructed specifically for Cannon AFB that will offer more than just drinks and snacks, such as pre-packaged dairy and meat products, as well as vegetables and produce.”
Altogether, the Appropriations Committee approved upwards of $400 million in funding for various military base construction and rural fire department projects in New Mexico.
Altogether, some $197 billion in discretionary funding was approved by the committee. Additional funding given a green light by the committee includes $2.1 billion for both major and minor Veterans Administration construction, and $171 million for the building of VA extended care facilities.
Members of the U.S. House will next take up the Appropriations Committee projects when they reconvene beginning on September 8.
August 15, 2025
By Garry Boulard
