Clovis gets grant to extend water system to airport

CLOVIS — The New Mexico Economic Development Department officially announced a Local Economic Development Act infrastructure grant to the City of Clovis to extend its water system to the Clovis Regional Airport.

The $2.135 million grant — announced in a Friday release from the department — has been discussed over the last few months in public meetings, including the Clovis city commission and the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority.

The airport currently operates its own water system, and the grant would extend the system from EPCOR Water — the city’s water supplier — to the airport along NM 523 between Clovis and Texico. Construction is set to begin in 2022, with City Manager Justin Howalt telling The News officials are trying to nail a starting date for either spring or summer.

The award comes under recent authority given to EDD to assist rural communities on infrastructure to potentially boost jobs and expand economic capacity.

“EDD’s new Strategic Plan points to inequities in economic development that have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic,” EDD Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said. “We know more needs to be done to help all communities around the state achieve economic growth and sustainability, that’s why boosting rural infrastructure will remain a key goal of our department.”

Through Essential Air Service carrier Denver Air Connections, the airport offers round trip flights to Denver International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

The release from the EDD notes the work could provide the city with additional commercial and industrial space. A similar project, according to the release, was a $283,000 grant last year to the Moriarty Municipal Airport.

The ENMWUA has conducted a pair of study sessions to explore the possibility of using the line extension to shorten a groundwater delivery lateral to the village of Texico.

“I would like to thank the New Mexico Economic Development Department for their support with this vital project for the Clovis Regional Airport. Constructing a water transmission line extension will have a long-lasting impact on the availability of water to the facility and its economic development opportunities,” Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said in the release. “The project ensures a future water supply to the airport and any business that utilizes the facility.”