San Juan County Approves $2M CDBG Grant Application for Lopez Food Center

The San Juan County Council held a special meeting on August 26, 2025, focusing on two significant topics: the approval of a grant application for the Lopez Food Center and the consideration of settlements related to the ongoing litigation against Purdue Pharma.

During the meeting, council members expressed strong support for the Lopez Food Center project, emphasizing its importance for both food security and economic development in the community. Council member Cole highlighted the project's potential to provide financial stability for families, particularly those with college-bound children. The council unanimously voted to authorize the Health and Community Services Department to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for up to $2 million to support the initiative.

In addition to the food center discussion, the council reviewed three settlement proposals in the case of San Juan County versus Purdue Pharma, which has been ongoing since 2015. Prosecuting Attorney Amy Vera presented the details of the G8 settlement, which involves a total of $720 million from eight defendants, although the exact amount San Juan County will receive remains uncertain. The council voted to authorize county staff to proceed with the G8 settlements, marking a significant step in addressing the impacts of the opioid crisis in the region.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community informed about the progress of both the food center project and the Purdue Pharma settlements, underscoring the council's dedication to enhancing local welfare and addressing pressing public health issues.