A building once used to house city offices in Farmington, New Mexico is set to be repurposed as a food bank facility.
The Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has announced that it is awarding a $915,900 grant to San Juan College to upgrade space in the structure for use as an innovative food hub.
The officially named Harvest Food Hub serves as a marketplace for locally grown and produced food. According to its website, the group makes it possible for “farmers to work together to meet the growing demand for local, sustainable food in San Juan County.”
Bulk and wholesale offerings from the Hub are, in turn, sold to area schools, restaurants, and other institutions.
In announcing the grant, Alejandra Castillo, assistant EDA secretary, said the funding will “support small businesses and entrepreneurs, creating jobs and promoting economic resilience in New Mexico.”
The space to be renovated at 310 W. Animas Street, on the south side of downtown Farmington, measures around 1,600 square feet. A larger portion of the building is already being used for retail purposes by the group, and additionally includes walk-in freezers and coolers.
The EDA grant for the repurposing project is being matched by around $230,000 in local funds.
If all goes as anticipated, the repurposing work is expected to begin in December, with a general completion date of around spring 2024.
By Garry Boulard
