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NMSU seeks county share of funding to finish Arrowhead Park soundstage complex
Summary
NMSU and Arrowhead Center requested Doña Ana County consider contributing $1.3 million toward a $3.9 million shortfall to fully finish two soundstage buildings at Arrowhead Park; project partners said $15 million has already been committed and the full finish-out would bring the soundstage to industry standards with a projected May 2027 completion if funds are secured.
Wayne Savage, representing Arrowhead Center Inc. and the Media Arts Collective initiative, asked Doña Ana County commissioners to consider a funding contribution toward the completion of a soundstage complex at New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Park.
Savage said the project has received a $15,000,000 transfer and that two buildings in the base-build scenario are estimated at $15,900,000, leaving roughly $900,000 short to deliver the building shells. Industry-recommended interior finishes add roughly $3,000,000 more, creating an overall $3,900,000 funding gap to build to industry standards and produce the intended economic and workforce outcomes.
"Without the additional funding, we will end up with buildings that are smaller than industry standard," Savage said, warning that reduced size and minimal finish-out would limit the project’s ability to attract operators and be financially successful.
Savage said Arrowhead Center and project partners have sought $1,300,000 from each stakeholder — NMSU, Doña Ana County and the city of Las Cruces — to fill the shortfall. He said the MSU president has committed $1,300,000 pending regent approval in February and that the city is working toward similar council approval in February or March.
County staff said they can identify $1,300,000 to assist and that staff would draft an agreement and route it for legal review before placing it on a future agenda (tentatively the second meeting in January or the meeting on the 13th). Commissioners asked about other state or federal funding and staff said discussions with lobbyists and potential funding partners are ongoing.
Savage set a target to complete finish work by May 2027 if additional funds become available in the May timeframe; no formal county appropriation was approved at the work session.
