San Juan County commissioners covered a wide range of items April 7, including manufacturing projects, broadband expansion and public safety.
The commission discussed proposed investments tied to manufacturing, broadband and emergency services. Durango Machining Innovations outlined a $6 million plan to develop a rotational lining facility, and Comcast presented details of a state-funded fiber project that would expand broadband service to more than 3,100 underserved locations.
Commissioners also approved grant-funded upgrades for the Sheriff’s Office, recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month and received updates on infrastructure, federal partnerships and public-safety staffing.
County Attorney Joe Sawyer read Ordinance 131 authorizing agreements for the county to act as fiscal agent for a $250,000 New Mexico Economic Development Department grant to support construction and renovation of buildings for two rotational lining machines at Durango Machining Innovations.
“Rotor lining is a process that creates a seamless bonded thermoplastic polymer coating on the inside of metal equipment such as tanks and pipes,” Sawyer said. “DMI capital investment is estimated to be over $6 million and they expect to create 22 new jobs.”
Ben Kneller, president of DMI and United Pipelines, said the technology is not new, but the company’s process and equipment are unique. He said operations are being established along N.M. 170, with the facility expected to be operational later this year. Two machines are being retrofitted into an existing building.
Kneller credited guidance from County Manager Mike Stark and said the company has patented products and techniques primarily used to protect new pipelines.
Commission Chair Sam Gonzales asked whether the process lines the inside of pipes. Kneller said it does, using a large oven that requires significant natural gas. He said the company connected to New Mexico Gas Co.
Components or pipes are filled with thick plastic resin and rotated inside an oven capable of handling tanks up to 20 feet in diameter, Kneller said.
Rebecca Hansana, an Economic Development Department representative for the northwest region, said the company serves regional and international customers and operates alongside sister companies. She said the company plans to use the Local Economic Development Act grant and the Job Training Incentive Program to support hiring.
An operations manager and factory foreman have been hired, with additional hiring expected as full-scale production begins in the fall. The facility will connect to the San Juan New Mexico Gas pipeline near N.M. 170.
Peter Mitchell, an EDD representative for the north-central region, said the five-year grant issues payments after specific benchmarks are met. The first disbursement would occur once documents are executed, with additional payments tied to hiring requirements.
The commission approved publication of the Ordinance 131 notice.
Julianne Phares, Comcast senior director of government and community affairs, presented a report on a broadband expansion project aimed at rural areas near Aztec and Bloomfield.
Phares outlined Comcast’s residential Xfinity services and Comcast Business offerings, including internet, television, streaming, phone and mobile service. She said the company offers a five-year price guarantee and the Internet Essentials program for low-income residents, veterans and qualifying tribal members.
She also highlighted Comcast’s Lift Zones program, which provides free one-gig Wi-Fi at community locations and nonprofits. San Juan County has seven Lift Zones.
In partnership with the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, the pilot grant project would extend service to more than 3,100 underserved locations using about 200 miles of fiber.
Phares said some areas will require private easement agreements because utility poles are on private property or not available, requiring underground lines and landowner approval. The project must be completed by Dec. 31 to meet grant requirements.
An Aztec community town hall scheduled for April 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will provide property owners with information about private easement agreements. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and a notary public will be available on site.
Undersheriff Cory Tanner presented a 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant agreement.
The Sheriff’s Office is eligible to receive $20,133, which would be used to purchase six in-car mobile data computers. The total cost is expected to exceed the grant amount by about $1,300, which would be covered by the Sheriff’s Office budget.
Approval was unanimous.
Eleana Butler, executive director of Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico, presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“Sexual Assault Awareness is incredibly appreciative of the partnership we have with the county and the support that you provided through grant funding,” Butler said before reading the proclamation.
Fire Chief David Vega presented a policy allowing overtime compensation for salaried department personnel assigned to reimbursable emergency incidents.
“This allows exempt Fire Department employees who are deployed on valid resource orders and have worked in emergency incident over 40 hours a week to receive overtime compensation despite their exemption status,” Vega said.
Commissioners approved the policy unanimously.
Vega also reported that New Mexico State Forestry has implemented statewide fire restrictions prohibiting open burning, campfires, oil and gas flaring and agricultural burning.
Devin Neeley, public relations and film manager, read a resolution proclaiming April as National County Government Month. It was unanimously approved.
County Manager Mike Stark reported that the gas line is now flowing to the San Juan County Industrial Park and Pesco.
He said the Federal Railroad Administration plans to visit San Juan County during the first week of June following the county’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. An environmental assessment related to the buffer zone at Chaco Culture National Historical Park is expected in the coming months.
Stark also introduced James Bean, a 15-year county employee, as the new chief information security officer.