Funding has now been approved for the construction of a new operations center for the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority.
Members of the New Mexico State Legislature earlier this winter voted in favor of a $1.2 million capital outlay for the project.
Now, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has approved that appropriation.
The water works authority is one of dozens of projects in southern New Mexico that Grisham approved for funding. Altogether, capital outlays totaling more than $28 million have now received a green light for both Dona Ana County as well as southern New Mexico.
Among the larger appropriations: $3.1 million for the building of a Dona Ana County flood diversion project; as well as $3 million to repair a utility tunnel on the main Las Cruces campus of New Mexico State University.
The Mesilla Valley Community of Hope campus, also in Las Cruces, is set to receive $1.8 million to build a new warehouse; while $1.3 million is going for improvements to the Las Cruces Armory.
Just under $3 million is going for the construction of a sewer line extension on the Old Cavern Highway in Eddy County, along with $1.4 million targeting the renovation of the Carlsbad Bataan Sanitary Sewer Lift Station.
The Roswell campus of Eastern New Mexico University in Chaves County has been approved for $2.4 million for sewer line upgrades and other infrastructure improvements, with the New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs in getting $1.7 million for general safety and security improvements.
With offices in East Mesa and La Mesa, the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority provides water service to more than a dozen Colonias to the south of Las Cruces.
By Garry Boulard
