MILAN, NM – On September 26, the New Mexico delegation welcomed a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to the Village of Milan, to support roadway infrastructure improvements at the Milan Industrial Park. According to Village Manager Linda Cooke and Mayor Felix Gonzales, the improvements will entice new businesses and corporations to the area and bring new jobs for locals.
The Milan Industrial Park is a 912.93-acre, master- planned industrial development located in Milan, New Mexico with direct access to Interstate 40, BNSF Southern Transcon, and the Grants-Milan Airport. The overall costs for the area is $575 per acre. The park also has economic development incentives such as, a job training incentive program, and the Local Economic Development Act promotes Public Private Partnership for an economic benefit, and Rural Jobs Tax Credit.
The grant will be used for improvements for Mill Road leading into the Milan Industrial Park. Cooke spoke about Milan’s plans for the construction, “We will be paving [constructing] curbs, gutters and lighting.” Cooke said the village is trying to improve the facilities at the industrial park so that it is more enticing for businesses. Gonzales also spoke about the industrial park which was purchased by the village in 2003, “The main purpose for purchasing this land, is that we wanted to make it so we could bring some industry into the village.” The reason Milan couldn’t do anything with the land for so long at the beginning was due to the area being considered a flood zone, but with assistance from the federal government and [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] they created a canal.
When asked what industries they are hoping to see in the area, Gonzales said, “One of the main things that we are trying to get is industries that will have at least 10 or more employees… to create jobs.” Gonzales said they are trying to emphasize getting industries that will provide jobs to local residents. Gonzales also said, “We want to find industries that will hire our people down here because everything that we do is for our community, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Cooke spoke about when they first became interested in the grant, “We actually have been interested in it since the first of the year… we did a lot of deep work on it in the last few months. It required a match which was provided by the state for [$684,750] and then they increased that and another entity provided the remainder of the match.” Cooke also spoke about how important it was for the village to receive this grant, “It was very important… we had tried to get the funding for the rail line and unfortu- nately, it’s a large expense. It’s not off our table to apply for those funds in the future, but this was the beginning. This was easier to acquire, easier to do then the actual railroad, so it’s kind of saying ‘Welcome to Milan Industrial Park’ so this is what it could be.”
Economy wise, the village is hoping for an increase in taxes, which will go along with any industry that they bring in. The most important thing for them is the jobs that will become available. Cooke said, “It’s possible that by establishing the industrial park with actual businesses, that will keep the people that live here, here. That would provide them with a decent wage.” Cooke also said by getting businesses in the park and bringing jobs that it will help the economy all around, for Milan and for Grants. Gonzales also said that with industries it will also bring businesses to Horizon Boulevard which is near Loves and Petro. He also said that one of their emphases in that area is a hotel. Cooke said, “It’s like a gateway project.”
Once they begin construction Cooke said that it could take a year to a-yearand- a-half for it to be completed. Engineering will have to be completed first, but they will soon begin that process. Cooke says overall it is a five-year project. Bringing businesses to Milan is going to be a long process but Cooke says that time spent will be well worth it.
As soon as they have businesses acquiring land, the village will also have to improve the area around the industrial park. Cooke said, “We will upgrade our septic system, we will upgrade our water system. Those improvements will come with those individuals that are actually interested in coming. Right now, without the actual business, we are not sure of what we need to do, to upgrade that type of infrastructure. We’ll also continue to work on the road system, [and] we will continue to work on the rail system.”
When asked about their reactions on finding out about the Village receiving the grant Gonzales said, “My first reaction was kind of stunned, because we have been trying for quite a long time. We were elated, all of us. It’ll grow from here. I'm positive… This is only the beginning.” Cooke said, “Well it was ‘Wow I can’t believe it… It’s still excited to think that now we can actually show some improvements.’ One of the concerns was if we could do this without bankrupting the village, between the state and economic development and the COG and the support from the trustees. It’s exciting and amazing.” The village is also continuing to look at any grant that they can apply for to improve the industrial park. Cooke said that just because they have received this grant, doesn’t mean that they will stop looking for more grants. Gonzales said, “We are not going to be ashamed to ask for more. We will just continue digging and digging. All they can say is ‘no’, but if they say no, we will try something else. We’ll continue to try and get as much as we can for the industrial park.”