Heinrich To Discuss Education, Job Training, And Economic Development In Farmington
FARMINGTON, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will travel to Farmington on Friday, August 29, to discuss education, job training, and economic development.
Senator Heinrich will begin the day at WESST Enterprise Center to receive a briefing and tour the San Juan College Enterprise Center business incubator. WESST is a statewide small business development and training organization that assists New Mexico entrepreneurs build and expand their businesses.
Later in the morning, Senator Heinrich will tour the construction site of the new San Juan College (SJC) School of Energy. The new 50,000 square foot complex, which is scheduled for completion next year, will house all energy degree and certificate programs under one facility. Currently enrolled students take courses at one of SJC's satellite locations throughout San Juan County. Nearly 7,000 students attend classes annually at the School of Energy, which has developed a well-respected curriculum for the oil and gas industry providing critical education and training to New Mexicans in the area. The college awards approximately 250 Associate of Applied Science degrees each spring in energy-related fields, including natural gas compression, petroleum technology, and renewable energy.
In the afternoon, Senator Heinrich will tour the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pilot Office to discuss energy development and public lands. Senator Heinrich is a cosponsor of the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) to help keep the Farmington and Carlsbad offices fully staffed and reduce the permitting process backlog. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing, Senator Heinrich discussed the importance of the legislation to New Mexico.
Finally, Senator Heinrich will tour the Aztec Ruins National Monument and receive a briefing on the recent construction of a pedestrian trail and bridge. The two projects connect visitors from downtown Aztec to the national monument. The Federal Transit Administration funded the trail construction as part of the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program. The program, administered through the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Interior, and U.S. Forest Service, seeks to conserve natural, historic, and cultural resources while reducing congestion and improving visitor mobility and accessibility. The City of Aztec and New Mexico Department of Transportation funded the bridge project. Construction on both the pedestrian trail and bridge is nearly complete.
The information below is for planning purposes only. Media must RSVP to press@heinrich.senate.gov or call (202) 228-1578 to attend.
Farmington - Friday, August 29, 2014
WHAT: WESST Enterprise Center
WHEN: From 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
WHERE: 5101 College Boulevard, Farmington, N.M. 87401
WHAT: San Juan College School of Energy
WHEN: 11:20 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
WHERE: San Juan College, 4601 College Boulevard, Farmington, N.M. 87401
WHAT: Bureau of Land Management Pilot Office
WHEN: From 2:30 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: 6251 College Boulevard, Farmington, N.M. 87401
WHAT: Aztec Ruins National Monument
WHEN: From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: 84 County Road 29000, Aztec, N.M. 87410
