Summary
Catron County proposes
to create a cooperative
research and educational
center devoted to
the conversion of
biomass to fuels
and other products
with a goal of zero
waste. This project
will:
- Accelerate the
rapid introduction
of biofuel innovations
into the marketplace;
- Develop biofuel
products and technologies
for rapid transfer
to the marketplace;
- Support economic
development in
the Catron County;
and
- Educate energy
researchers, technicians,
and workforce through
undergraduate,
graduate educational
curricula and short
courses for industry
and research professionals.
Catron County, New
Mexico presents itself
as an opportunity
for stakeholders,
institutions of higher
education and other
entities to partner
in the creation of
such a center. Catron
County government
proposes to create
a research and industrial
park and intends
to seek an anchor
business for the
park. Local economic
development will
be supported through
new employment opportunities
provided by the anchor
business as well
as through satellite
businesses which
will have the opportunity
to set up shop in
the research and
industrial park.
Report March 2010
- Potential planning
partners were contacted
about the research
and industrial park
in northern Catron
County, including
representatives of
USFS, BLM, NM State
Forestry, New Mexico
Forest Industries
Association, private
industry.
- A PowerPoint on
Catron County as
woody biomass source
for biofuels and
as the ideal location
for a research center
was presented a at
the two day Biofuels
Viability for Economic
Developmentin
New Mexico workshop
hosted by Los Alamos
National Laboratory
(LANL) and the New
Mexico Institute
for Mining and Technology
(NMT) in August 2009.
- A Catron County
Resolution supporting
northern county industrial
park and authorizing
the planning process
was passed by Catron
County Commission
November 2009.
- A CCI grant proposal
was submitted to
NMEDDfor 2010 for
planning the Northern
Catron County Research
and Industrial Park.
- A “core group” was
solidified as the
initial work group
for the project.
Individuals with
federal and state
agencies, community
groups, relevant
businesses and community
leaders were asked
to confirm willingness
to participate in
the planning process.
- Core group and
additional planning
partners were contacted
and were asked for
a letter of commitment
to the planning process.
(See Appendix
A).
- A task list was
drafted and submitted
to planning partners,
CCCG and the County
Commission ; comments
that were received
were used to amend
the list.
- Meetings were held
with various individuals
to discuss funding
sources, participation
from New Mexico’s
national laboratories,
legislative support
for the project,
site location , potential
for a satellite campus
of higher education
in Catron County
and other issues.
- Participated in
the drafting of a
NM Biofuels Initiative,
speaking as an “ambassador” for
the interests of
Catron County and
the NCCRIP, as well
as for woody biomass
throughout New Mexico
as a potential biofuels
feedstock.
- Articles about
NCCRIP were submitted
to local newspapers
and were published
online on community
blogs.
- Updates on progress
were provided to
core group and planning
partners, and reports
were submitted on
progress to CCCG
and Catron County
Commissioners on
a monthly basis.
- Ongoing communications
between various core
group members and
planning partners
on an almost daily
basis keep enthusiasm
levels high.
- Website www.catroncitizens.com/econdev/nccrip.htm updated
to reflect progress.
- Planning for public
meetings initiated
(early June).
- Planning for core
group/planning partner
meeting (late April,
early May) initiated.
- Needs and assets
assessment initiated.
Report April 2010
- Met with potential
research/industrial
park tenants and
other interested
parties to discuss
opportunities, needs,
including NM Tech,
USFS and a local
hydrogen fueled engine
developer.
- Presented pilot
project idea individual
members of core group,
and to Catron County
Commissionera BS
County Manager,
Catron
County Fire Marshall
and several FD Chiefs
and FD volunteer
members, as well
as several Quemado
and Reserve community
leaders.
- Met with specialists
to discuss opportunities,
needs, including
NMEDD, financial
experts, USDA
Rural Development
and others.
- Created first-draft
PowerPoint presentation
for pilot project
to be used for public
meetings.
- Attended the two-day
NM Biofuels Summit,
where the initial
pilot project was
discussed between
NM Tech, USFS
and Catron County.
- Website www.catroncitizens.com/econdev updated
to reflect progress.
- Needs/assets assessment
continuing.
- Planning for public
meetings continuing;
dates in June need
to be chosen and
public notice provided.
- Planning for next
core group/planning
partner meeting continuing.
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