Udall, Heinrich Announce $1.3 million in Federal Funding for Village of Los Lunas Water Infrastructure Improvements

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a grant of $1.3 million to the Village of Los Lunas. The EDA funding will support water infrastructure improvements at the Central New Mexico Rail Park in Los Lunas and serve as a catalyst for regional economic development. The Village estimates that the project will create up to 3,000 new jobs in New Mexico.

“Strengthening New Mexico’s freight infrastructure is critical to connecting our local businesses with the world and strengthening our state’s economy,” said Udall. “This major water investment will support significant job growth and economic diversification in Valencia County for years to come. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce committees, I’ll keep fighting for the resources we need to improve our state’s infrastructure and spur economic development across New Mexico.”

“Economic development depends on 21st-century infrastructure improvements like this,” said Heinrich. “As the Ranking Member on the Joint Economic Committee, I have called for greater investment in rural America. We need to level the playing field to help smaller communities compete with larger cities. I will continue fighting for forward-looking investments that connect all New Mexicans to new job growth opportunities, attract new private capital, and encourage the creation of new businesses.”

“The EDA grant awarded to the BNSF Central Rail Park will spur future economic development growth and jobs to the Central NM Region, making it a regional employment business center,” said Ralph L. Mims, Economic Development Manager, Village of Los Lunas.

The award will fund the construction of a 21,000-foot water pipeline along New Mexico State Route 6 and the BNSF Railway.