LaSen Inc. has been awarded a state Local Economic Development Act grant of $750,000 as an incentive to construct a larger headquarters facility, add new drones and helicopters, and hire 79 additional employees over the next 5 years. In addition, the City of Las Cruces made an additional $400,000 offer to the project from its local LEDA fund.
LaSen expects to move into the new facility in the summer of 2021. "I'm thrilled about the expansion of this cutting-edge company in Las Cruces. It will bring even more highly skilled, high-tech jobs to New Mexico," Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
According to state officials, LaSen has developed a niche in the oil and gas industry by providing detection of pipeline leaks and hazards using aerial observation from helicopters and drones, utilizing sophisticated LIDAR mapping, high-resolution video, and sensing technology that can detect leaks from 300 to 500 feet above the ground.
The mid-infrared laser used by LaSen is particularly well suited for detection of hydrocarbons such as methane, propane, and butane, as well as volatilized liquid petroleum products, they explained.
"LaSen is a company with experience in New Mexico. It now wants to further invest in the state and expand its workforce so it can provide services around the world," Cabinet Secretary Alicia Keyes said. "These new high-paying jobs coming to Southern New Mexico, as a result of our LEDA investment, will help diversify our economy and move the state toward recovery. LeSen’s expansion is part of a trend we are seeing: companies want to double down here or move from busier cities into N.M., where they can have a better quality of life with their families."
LaSen has its own maintenance and machine shop, which is at capacity in its current space, according to La Sen President Tim Goolsby. “We’ve been talking about getting out of this building for the last two years. LEDA allows us to make that decision a lot sooner and with a little more comfort. We want to make the right decisions that will keep us in New Mexico for a long time.”
The City of Las Cruces is the fiscal agent for the project and the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance provided location and technical assistance.
“It has been rewarding to work with the team at LaSen and assist in their growth here in Las Cruces,” Davin Lopez, President and CEO of MVEDA, added. “Their expansion is indicative of the robust industry supporting aerial assets that can be found in the region and the opportunities we have to further grow this industry, with LaSen as our flagship.”