High Plains Processing Eyes Beef Processing Plant in Las Vegas, New Mexico
04/23/2020
According to the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the company is investing $1.6 million to refurbish the vacant facility with modern equipment, ventilation, waste collection, receiving, and refrigeration. High Plains plans to begin operations in the second half of 2020 and hire 20 employees over the next three years.
Owners Joanna and Chip Meston, a Colorado ranching couple, see the expansion into New Mexico as a way to integrate their business and provide processing services throughout the northeast part of the state, state economic development officials said.
"We will rebound from this pandemic and revitalize better than ever before because of strategic state investments and willing partners who want to be here," Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said.
High Plains has identified restaurant, hospitality, and retail consumer markets in Asia and the United States for its products. “New Mexico has a widespread and healthy livestock industry,” Chip Meston said. “There are a lot of people who want to see this business succeed. We will be a value-added business in a community that values agriculture.”
Johanna Meston is an anesthesiologist and the business is particularly mindful during construction to take precautions during the COVID-19 health emergency. State officials said the Mestons are still optimistic the business can open by summer.
The state of New Mexico pledged $100,000 from its LEDA closing fund to assist the business with land, building, and infrastructure improvements.“We are seeing an uptick of companies that want to be in New Mexico," Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes of the Economic Development Department said. "It's more important than ever that we can still offer LEDA investments to help them grow and expand."
"Northeast New Mexico has a rich tradition of grazing and ranching," Keyes added, "and this investment will not only help create jobs in Las Vegas, but also give family ranches more options as they look to diversify and sustain an agricultural lifestyle.”
San Miguel County is the fiscal agent for the LEDA grant. “San Miguel County is excited that the facility will soon have new life. It will provide a much needed service and economic boost to the county, which will ultimately have a positive impact to the entire northeastern portion of the state,” Planning and Zoning Supervisor Alex Tafoya said.
The Mestons, owners of Fifteen Mile Ranch in Bennett, Colorado, said the Las Vegas location is a good fit for their expansion because of its proximity to Interstate 25 and nearby ranches. New Mexico’s incentives, labor force, and overall business climate will give them an opportunity to compete in a global market that is seeing significant demand for high quality beef products.
“Livestock production continues to be an important economic driver across New Mexico. This new value-added processing facility will enhance our ability to increase locally-sourced beef for our consumers and provide marketing options for our producers,” New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said. “This is another important value-added economic development opportunity that is a priority for this administration.”
Project Announcements
PEAK Precision Manufacturing Plans Bowling Green, Kentucky, Operations
07/26/2024
Italy-Based Sipcam Agro USA Upgrades Wayne County, Mississippi, Operations
07/26/2024
Cleveland-Cliffs Plans Weirton, West Virginia, Operations
07/26/2024
IDEXX Laboratories Plans Wilson, North Carolina, Production Operations
07/26/2024
Germany-Based Ritz Instrument Transformers Plans Waynesboro, Georgia, Operations
07/26/2024
AirJoule Plans Newark-Wilmington, Delaware, Operations
07/26/2024
Most Read
-
19th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2024
-
2023's Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth
Q4 2023
-
2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors
Q3 2023
-
The CHIPS and Science Act will bring jobs back to the United States
Q2 2024
-
2023 Top States Commentary: Top-Ranked States Have What It Takes to Win Mega Projects
Q3 2023
-
The Bring Your Own Energy (BYOE) Party Is Starting
Q2 2024
-
Midwest becomes hotspot for semiconductor manufacturing and supply industries
Q2 2024