Commission hears strategic‑plan progress; county markets industrial park after infrastructure upgrades

County staff presented a year‑end update on San Juan County’s 2022–2026 strategic plan and reported progress on infrastructure upgrades at the San Juan County Industrial Park that county managers say make the site ready to market.

Mike Smith, county staff, told commissioners the county completed 11 initiatives identified for the 2022–2024 timeframe, across themes of economy, place, people and relations. Work items the county cited as completed or on track included law‑enforcement support (new helicopter and hangar, recruitment initiatives), “shop local” programs coordinated with chambers and regional economic development, countywide recreation projects (gravel guidebook, bike‑skills facility), tree‑planting, staff‑development programs, internships and support for energy‑sector projects.

Smith said the county plans to focus 2025 strategic efforts on local agriculture, community resource centers, manufacturing recruitment, Navajo Nation relations and housing programs; 2026 priorities include recreational equipment manufacturing, behavioral health, rail‑to‑trail expansion and freight‑rail development.

Separately, County Manager Zach Stark reported that the county has completed a series of improvements at the 45‑acre industrial park and is preparing a national marketing effort. The county used a federal Economic Development Administration grant (roughly $1.6 million of a $2.3 million package) and additional state funding to upgrade broadband, lighting and fire‑suppression systems and to prepare administrative/warehouse space. A forthcoming natural‑gas extension (state grant secured; pipeline work scheduled for spring) remains the final key utility before the site is promoted broadly.

Stark said the county will advertise the property beginning Feb. 10 and accept proposals from prospective tenants. The 42,000‑square‑foot primary building includes a 19,200‑square‑foot shop with two overhead bridge cranes (up to 50‑foot clearance) and 8,200 square feet of attached office space. The county emphasized rail alternatives, highway access (1.5 miles to State Highway 170; about 20 miles to U.S. 64) and availability of public ownership terms intended to reduce regulatory friction.

Commissioners asked about timing and next steps; staff said they will begin marketing, accept tenant applications and return to the commission with any lease proposals for consideration. No commission action was required at the briefing; managers asked for continued support in outreach to prospective tenants.