New Mexico

New Mexico capital outlay: Here’s what your county and city gets

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

New Mexico capital outlay: Here’s what your county and city gets

Funding to update local public infrastructure and other projects throughout New Mexico came this year in the form of the annual Capital Outlay bill passed by the New Mexico House and Senate during the 2024 Legislative Session.

The $1.5 billion bill provided funds for local communities, advocated for by the lawmakers who represent them, to counties and cities throughout the state.

It passed both chambers unanimously and was sent to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham who can sign it into law as is or removed certain projects via “line-item vetoes.”

More: New Mexico Democrats criticized for inaction on fentanyl bills

Here’s are the key projects counties in southeast New Mexico got out of the bill.

Eddy County

Eddy County and its municipalities had $79 million in projects funded this year, compared to about $12 million last year.

$70 million – Improvements on U.S. Highway 180

$1.38 million – Sewer extension project on National Parks Highway

More: ‘Renewable’ geothermal energy boosted by bill passed by New Mexico House

$700,000 – Sheep’s Draw wellfield generators

$600,000 – Eddy County splashpad construction

$500,000 – Eddy County Healthcare Facility renovations

$600,000 – Malaga Domestic Water Consumers Sewage Works Association improvements

$200,000 – Eddy County Sheriff’s Office shooting range

$200,000 – Hope rest area improvements

More: ‘Clean fuels’ bill advances in New Mexico Senate, to make oil companies pay for pollution

Carlsbad

$1 million – Double Eagle waterline replacement

$600,000 – Southeast New Mexico College Vocational Technology Building construction

$500,000 – Carlsbad Riverwalk Recreational Center improvements

$250,000 – Equipment purchases at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute

More: 2024 Legislative session wrap up: Here’s how energy and environment bills fared

Artesia

$500,000 – HVAC construction at Artesia Jr. High School kitchen

$495,000 – Artesia generator purchase

$585,000 – upgrades and equipment at the Artesia Special Hospital District

$125,000 – Truck driving training academy

Loving

$750,000 – South 6^th Street improvements

Hope

$300,000 – Pump house improvements

More: Tax credits, rape kits & highways: Find out what bills your Eddy Co. Senators are sponsoring

Otero County

Otero County and its municipalities received $13 million in projects, compared to about $14.2 million last year

$2.1 million – Purchases and construction for Mescalero Apache tribe facilities

Alamogordo

$1.5 million – New Mexico State University – Alamogordo fine arts theater renovations

$1.1 million – NMSU- Alamogordo facility demolition

$1 million – Museum of Space History improvements

$695,000 – Otero County golf facility improvements

More: Short term state revenue loss for Hobbs passes committee, bills for Carlsbad stalled

Cloudcroft

$750,000 – Water treatment facility improvements

$359,000 – Public restroom expansion

Tularosa

$350,000 – Community Ditch Association repairs

Lincoln County

Lincoln County and its municipalities got about $5.2 million this year, compared with $8.5 million last year.

$1.1 million – Enchanted Forest water system replacement

$450,000 – Ft. Stanton veterans conference center construction

$265,000 – Crime scene vehicle purchases

Ruidoso

$500,000 – Ruidoso forest and watershed improvements

$225,000 – Eastern New Mexico University trades education facility renovations

Capitan

$100,000 – Capital water facility solar system construction

Carrizozo

$750,000 – Lincoln County Detention Center water and sewer upgrade

$350,000 – Water system information technology purchases

Lea County

Lea County and its municipalities had $86.7 million in project funded this year, compared to about $12.7 million last year

$75 million – New Mexico Highway 128 improvements

$2 million – Construction on West County Road and New Mexico Highway 208

$400,000 – Lea County event center amphitheater

$420,000 – New Mexico Junior College improvements

Hobbs

$1.5 million – HAZMAT rescue vehicles

$1.4 million – Hobbs Public Safety Center Construction

$525,000 – Hobbs water well construction

Lovington

$250,000 – Library roof and plumbing repairs

$266,000 – Medical transport vans

Chaves County

Chaves County received $16.7 million this year compared with $23.7 million last year

$500,000 – Macho Draw flood control repair

Roswell

$3 million – Roswell Air Center improvements

$2 million – Youth Challenge Building renovations

$2 million – ENMU Roswell nursing center expansion

$1 million – World Champion Park facility upgrade

Hagerman

$700,000 – Water System improvements

Dexter

$700,000 – Lake Van Drive improvements

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

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New Mexico

Republican New Mexico lawmakers convene public safety task force

Published

10 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Republican New Mexico lawmakers convene public safety task force

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New Mexico

Cut your own tree in New Mexico with a $5 permit from BLM

Published

22 hours ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Cut your own tree in New Mexico with a permit from BLM

The Bureau of Land Management will begin selling Christmas tree permits in New Mexico on Nov. 24.

Permits will be available at the Farmington, Taos, Socorro and Rio Puerco field offices, as well as at the New Mexico State Office, according to a community announcement. The permits must be purchased before Dec. 24 and cost $5 per tree.

Permits and maps can be obtained over the counter at local BLM offices or, for some locations, online at https://forestproducts.blm.gov. If purchasing online, buyers must have access to a printer to print the permit and map.

When transporting a tree taken from BLM public land, the haul tag provided with the permit must be attached to the tree.

The BLM has developed georeferenced maps compatible with any georeferenced map mobile application. Those with a smartphone can download a map before heading out to harvest a tree by visiting the BLM website.

Before visiting a local BLM office to obtain a permit, it is recommended to call the office to confirm services and staff availability. The locations where permits may be available include:

Rio Puerco Field Office, 100 Sun Ave., NE, Suite 330, Albuquerque, NM 87109, (505) 761-8700
Socorro Field Office, 901 S. Old U.S. Hwy 85, Socorro, NM 87801, (575) 835-0412
New Mexico State Office, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508, (505) 954-2000
Farmington Field Office, 6251 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402, (505) 564-7600
Taos Field Office, 1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571-5983, (575) 758-8851

For more information about Christmas tree permits, contact the local BLM office or the BLM New Mexico State Office at 505-954-2222.

This story was created by reporter Andy Dossett, ADossett@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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New Mexico

Lobos give bowl-bound Eck extension to 2030

Published

1 day ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Lobos give bowl-bound Eck extension to 2030

New Mexico football coach Jason Eck has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep him with the Lobos until 2030, the school announced Sunday.

In his first regular season as head coach, Eck took the Lobos to a 9-3 record — the program’s best mark since 1982 and only the fourth time they have won nine games since 1997.

Eck’s new deal includes an increase in average salary to $1.75 million from $1.25 million, sources told ESPN.

A former Wisconsin offensive lineman, Eck spent three seasons as head coach at Idaho where he went 26-13 before being hired by the Lobos last December.

New Mexico’s nine-win season and 6-2 record in the Mountain West earned them a tie for first place in the conference. But the conference’s tiebreaker (based on a composite average of nationally recognized metrics: Connelly SP+, ESPN SOR, KPI and SportSource rankings) determined that Boise State and UNLV would face each other in the title game.

If Eck can lead the Lobos to a bowl win, however, it will be the first 10-win season the program has had in 43 years.

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