Grant County commissioners hear data center concerns, approve wind farm bond ordinance and review county operations, part 2

[Editor's Note:' This is Part 2 of two Grant County Commission meetings, the work session  on October. 6 and the regular meeting, October. 8, 2026]

By Jason Weiland

Following public comments, Grant County Fire Chief Roger Groves presented a proclamation recognizing October 4 through October 10, 2026, as Firefighter Appreciation Week in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week. The proclamation recognized firefighters for their work in fire prevention, emergency response and protecting county residents. It also honored firefighters who had died in service.

District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Tom Shelley seconded the motion, which carried without recorded opposition. Chairman Chris Ponce thanked Groves and asked him to pass along the commission's appreciation to the county's volunteer firefighters.

The recognition followed a somber report at Tuesday's work session. Groves had informed commissioners that Johnny Ashton, an assistant chief with the Sapillo Creek Fire Department, had died following a medical emergency.

Groves said he would work with the department to maintain its ability to respond to emergencies while members dealt with the loss.

Granite Renewables presents Site Layer 1 proposal

Before the October 8 presentation began, District 1 and Chairman Chris Ponce addressed the audience. He said he had not previously reviewed the developer's full presentation and would be hearing the information along with the public. He asked residents to allow the representatives to speak without interruption, regardless of whether they agreed with the proposal. Ponce reminded residents that they could review the meeting recording, submit questions to commissioners and return to speak at a later meeting.

Ian Marcus, founder and CEO of Granite Renewables, participated remotely. The company is developing the proposed Site Layer 1 data center project. Representatives associated with the presentation included Stephanie Blochowiak of SWCA Environmental Consulting and Lawrence Hurt of Hurt Cattle Company, whose property is involved in the proposed development.

The presentation was hampered by audio problems. Commissioners repeatedly indicated that they were having trouble hearing Marcus, and county staff worked to improve the connection.

Marcus described Granite Renewables as a company with a background in renewable energy development. He said the project was being considered on ranch property in southern Grant County, near the Hachita and Playas area. The development area under consideration was approximately 8,000 acres, although that figure did not mean the entire property would be covered by data center buildings.

Marcus said most of the proposed acreage would be associated with solar generation and battery storage. He described plans for a large renewable energy installation intended to help supply the data center's electricity needs. The company was also evaluating natural gas generation.

The presentation described the project as being in an early stage, with engineering, permitting and other feasibility work still underway.

Several of the figures discussed during the meeting were projections rather than final commitments.

Power generation and water use

Marcus said Granite Renewables intended to develop renewable generation alongside the data center and had begun work related to connecting the proposed power facilities to the regional electrical system. The company described a substantial solar and battery storage component, with generation and storage capacity measured in hundreds of megawatts.

Marcus also discussed the possibility of natural gas generation at the site. The final relationship between solar generation, battery storage and natural gas had not been settled in the information presented to the commission. The developer said it was pursuing the applicable air permitting process and working with environmental consultants.

Marcus also discussed water use. He projected that the proposed closed-loop cooling system would require less than 25 acre-feet of water annually. That figure was presented as the developer's estimate, not as a completed independent assessment of the project's water requirements. Residents had raised concerns about the availability of water in the area and whether the county should require alternative sources.

The commission also heard questions about the potential size of the operation, the land needed for its electrical infrastructure and the relationship between the data center and the surrounding ranch property.

Hurt discusses ranching and land use

Lawrence Hurt, whose ranch property is involved in the proposal, addressed commissioners about his support for the development. "I remain committed to supporting the data center project," Hurt said. "I truly believe that the overall benefits will outweigh the impact."

He acknowledged that development would change the use of the property but said economic development generally carries some impact. "I feel the need that we need to have data centers in the United States built on United States soil," he said. "I think we need to work together, figure this out, do it and do it correctly."

Ponce asked Hurt about existing wells on the property being considered for the development. "On this acreage, specifically on what they're looking at here, there's four livestock wells at present," Hurt replied.

Ponce thanked Hurt and other ranchers for their stewardship of the land, including providing water and habitat that also benefit wildlife.

Commissioners question project details

Commissioners asked about the location of proposed generators and their distance from the Continental Divide Trail. The developer's representatives said they could provide a more exact distance after reviewing the project maps.

Commissioners also questioned the project's electrical requirements and the steps needed to obtain service from the regional utility system. One question concerned the company's plans to submit a load application involving Tri-State and Columbus Electric Cooperative.

The commissioners wanted to understand how that application fit into the company's feasibility process and what would happen if the necessary power arrangements could not be obtained. The company explained that utility arrangements were among the factors that would determine whether the project could advance.

The presentation did not establish that all utility agreements, permits or other development requirements had been completed.

Employment and economic benefits

Marcus discussed possible construction and permanent employment associated with the development. The company described the potential for thousands of construction jobs and as many as 300 jobs during operations, depending on the eventual size of the project. He cautioned that those figures could change as the development plans became more definite.

The presentation did not establish how many jobs would be filled by Grant County residents, what training would be required or how many permanent employees would live in the area. Those questions had been raised repeatedly during public comments.

Marcus also addressed the company's approach to public outreach and communication with county officials. Granite Renewables representatives said the company did not use nondisclosure agreements in the manner some residents had feared. That response addressed one of the concerns raised earlier in the meeting, although it did not settle the broader questions about public access to project information.

The presentation gave commissioners an opportunity to hear directly from the developer, but it did not result in project approval.

Great Divide Wind Farm ordinance approved 4–1

The commission considered Ordinance O-26-04, another amendment to the county's industrial revenue bond arrangement for the Great Divide Wind Farm project. The ordinance amended and restated earlier ordinances adopted in 2018, 2022 and 2023.

It authorized up to $700 million in taxable industrial revenue bonds related to the acquisition, construction and operation of wind or solar energy facilities and battery storage. The authorization is part of a financing arrangement for the project. It does not mean the county is borrowing $700 million for its own operations or that construction has been completed.

During the October 6 work session, commissioners discussed the repeated extensions sought by the developer. County Manager Charlene Webb explained that the new ordinance would provide another three-year extension. Commissioners questioned how long the project should continue receiving extensions without moving into construction. Ponce expressed frustration with the repeated requests and said future commissioners should consider whether to continue extending the arrangement if the project remained stalled.

District 5 Commissioner Tom Shelley also questioned the pattern of delays.

At Thursday's public hearing, District 3 Commissioner Nancy Stephens said she had gone back and watched an earlier presentation to better understand what was holding up the project. "It sounds like Great Divide Wind Farm is waiting really on only one thing, and that's permission from the FAA and Department of War to proceed," she said.

Stephens said she supported allowing the developer more time. "I'm in favor of giving them three more years to get this done," she said.

Shelley took a different position. "I still oppose in general because of the reasons I already stated, that wind turbines are unreliable," Shelley said. He said county residents and businesses depended on reliable, affordable energy. "And I don't think this project meets either of those criteria," he said.

The presenter explained that the ordinance would extend the company's ability to issue the bonds through December 31, 2029, and increase the maximum bond authorization to $700 million. The presentation included a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes structure of $1,750 per megawatt, with a minimum annual payment of $280,000. The bond arrangement was described as not creating a general indebtedness of Grant County.

Commissioners were also told that final closing documents would return for consideration as the project moved forward. DDistrict 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina moved to approve Ordinance O-26-04, and Stephens seconded the motion. The ordinance passed 4–1, with Shelley voting against it.

The vote extended the project's existing financing authorization but did not establish that construction was underway or that all remaining approvals had been obtained.

Hospital trustees discuss staffing, finances and patient services

At the October 6 work session, Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Chairman Seth Traeger reported on hospital operations and projects. Traeger said the hospital had made improvements to its emergency department nursing station with support from the Gila Regional Medical Center Foundation. The enclosed station was intended to improve staff safety, reduce noise and provide greater privacy when employees discussed patient information.

He also described work with local emergency response organizations to improve communication and coordination when patients require emergency services. The hospital had participated in training with the New Mexico Nurses Association, including education concerning workplace safety, staffing, substance use disorders and the responsibilities of nurses.

Traeger discussed the DAISY Award program, which recognizes nurses nominated for their care of patients. "It's an award meant for nurses where they've made a difference in the life of patients," he explained. He said patients could nominate nurses, who had provided exceptional care, and that one nurse would be selected for recognition in October.

Traeger said the hospital's financial condition remained positive. "They are in the black," he told commissioners. "And that's when I say in the black financially, that's before state or federal grants." He explained that grant funding helped the hospital purchase equipment, undertake capital projects and build reserves for future needs.

The hospital building, he noted, was more than four decades old. The hospital was also working on physician recruitment, improvements to its revenue cycle and renovations to the Hilltop clinic property.

The Hilltop project was expected to provide walk-in urgent care services and support medical residency rotations. Traeger said the hospital was aiming to open the renovated facility during the first quarter of 2027.

Ponce questions billing and collections

Ponce asked Traeger about the hospital's audit and its continuing difficulties collecting revenue. He said the commission had heard concerns about revenue cycle management for several years. "I keep hearing over and over, another company's taking over, another company's taking over, we have somebody else managing it," Ponce said.

He suggested commissioners needed a more complete explanation of the hospital's progress and the changes being made. "I would love for our commissioners to be briefed where we're at, what's happening," he said. Traeger agreed that a more detailed discussion would be useful and said some matters might be appropriate for executive session.

Commissioners also asked about the hospital's new emergency department physician group, which began work July 1.

Stephens asked how the change was working. "My understanding, the reports I hear back, is that the level of service, both from an internal and customer-facing, is much better," Traeger replied. He explained that the previous group had experienced scheduling problems that sometimes required local physicians to cover emergency department shifts.

The new group had been able to prepare schedules farther in advance, he said, although he had not received a recent formal update.

Whitaker reports August financial results

At the October 8 regular meeting, GRMC Chief Executive Officer Robert Whitaker presented the hospital's financial and operational report. Whitaker reported approximately $10.3 million in August operating revenue and a monthly operating surplus of roughly $170,000. He also discussed approximately $2.2 million recorded through the state's directed-payment program.

The payment program is a separate part of the hospital's financial picture and should not be confused with revenue earned directly from patient services.

Whitaker discussed cash reserves, ongoing work on billing and collections, and plans to expand access to primary care. The hospital continued working on physician recruitment while preparing for the retirement of physicians serving the community.

Whitaker identified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robinson and pediatrician Dr. Hair among the physicians planning to retire. He also reported that GRMC had been selected as a regional hub under the New Mexico Healthcare Authority's Healthier Horizons program.

The program is intended to support rural health care services and cooperation among providers. Whitaker said the hospital had submitted applications for additional funding and was awaiting decisions on some requests.

He also discussed patient safety recognition. GRMC received an honorable mention in a New Mexico Hospital Association quality recognition program for work related to a safer environment for patients and staff.

Revenue cycle remains a concern

Whitaker acknowledged that the hospital continued to face problems with billing and collections. "We just switched our revenue cycle vendor partner," he said. "The last vendor we used just wasn't performing or working well for us." He explained that the hospital had also changed how its own leadership supervised the revenue cycle departments.

During commissioners' questions, Whitaker explained that revenue cycle management includes much more than sending a bill and receiving payment. Claims must be coded, reviewed and submitted to insurers. Payments must then be matched to the correct patient accounts, and unpaid claims often require follow-up.

He used an X-ray as an example of how the same service can generate different payments depending on the patient's insurance. "It's not like if you go to the store and buy one thing and everybody pays the same price," Whitaker said. He explained that the hospital negotiates contracts with different insurers and that each insurer may pay a different amount for the same service.

Even patients covered by the same insurance company may have different deductibles and copayments. "It's not easy. It's complicated," Whitaker said. "And there are challenges with it."

Commissioners also asked how long the hospital had to wait for payment. Whitaker said Medicare generally paid clean claims more quickly, often within about 15 days, while commercial insurers might take 30 to 60 days.

Ponce acknowledged the hospital's earlier problems but said he believed the situation had improved under Whitaker. "That revenue cycle has been a nightmare," Ponce said. He added that he was receiving fewer complaints than in previous years. "I think it's getting better, but there's still, you know, little things that need to get fixed up," he said.

The October 6 and October 8 reports gave commissioners both the trustees' view of the hospital's longer-term work and the administration's account of its current financial condition.

Community Health Council reports prevention and behavioral health work

The Grant County Community Health Council Coordinator Emma Eileen McKinley presented its quarterly report during the October 6 work session.

She l described training, outreach and coordination with organizations working on behavioral health, substance misuse prevention and community health. Representatives attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's midyear training institute in Orlando in July. The training covered data collection, program evaluation, coalition organizing and substance misuse prevention.

In August, the council provided adult mental health first aid training for Western New Mexico University resident assistants and housing staff. The training was intended to help staff recognize and respond to students experiencing mental health crises. The council also worked with young people on prevention messages designed for teenagers and young adults. Other activities included suicide prevention training, discussions about language access to health services and work with community partners on mental health needs during the start of the school year.

In September, the council provided overdose prevention and response training during a recovery event. Thirty community members received training on recognizing an opioid overdose and responding with naloxone.

Commissioners asked where residents could obtain the medication. The council representative said naloxone was available through the Health Council and other community locations, including a dispensing machine at Hidalgo Medical Services and the New Mexico Department of Health's local public health office.

The council also reported that it had discussed possible health effects associated with data centers.

Another issue under consideration was transportation for people discharged from hospital emergency departments who had no reliable way to get home. McKinley said the group planned to examine programs elsewhere in New Mexico. "We'll sort of look at our options and look at what other health councils throughout the state have done who have taken a more hands-on approach to this sort of non-emergency volunteer-based transportation," she said.

The council wanted to determine whether a similar program would be practical in Grant County. Medina asked whether the council was participating in another local discussion about transportation. He said he wanted to make sure the council was involved. "Transportation is one of the topics," Medina said, explaining that he wanted the appropriate organizations "at the table."

McKinley  confirmed that she had been contacted and was participating in the discussion.

Corre Caminos reports ridership and rising costs

Corre Caminos Director Kim Dominguez reported that the transit program had finished fiscal year 2026 on budget. She said the system provided 72,618 passenger trips during the fiscal year, including 41,477 in Grant County. Of those trips, 4,240 were provided through the local Corre Caminos service discussed in the report. The program's cost per passenger trip was $14.12.

Dominguez said Corre Caminos had ranked fifth among 20 programs in its state funding evaluation. The ranking considered ridership, spending, operating efficiency and other measures used to help determine grant funding. The program was preparing for a New Mexico Department of Transportation technical assistance review covering administration, passenger service, fleet maintenance, safety and accessibility.

Ponce asked whether the county's financial contribution would be sufficient for upcoming grant applications. Dominguez said the program was in good shape for the near term but might need a larger county contribution for fiscal year 2029. Fuel costs had increased sharply, she said, and maintenance expenses remained a concern.

Ponce told Dominguez that he had received positive comments from residents who depend on the service.

DWI program prepares for leadership change

The county's DWI prevention report was presented on behalf of administrator Daniel Graves.

County officials said a new DWI director, Linda Marquez-Polleson, was scheduled to begin October 12. Graves had moved into a broader health resources position while continuing to help with the DWI program's transition. His work included health-related assistance programs, indigent claims, coordination with community organizations and efforts to improve access to overdose prevention and treatment resources.

The department was also preparing for its spring 2027 Teen Maze program and continuing prevention work in schools.

Airport parking project continues

Grant County Airport Manager Rebekah Wenger reported that construction on the airport parking lot had entered its second phase. She expected most of the project to be finished by the end of October, although lighting installation would be delayed because of manufacturing and delivery schedules.

Wenger also explained changes to federal airport improvement funding. She said changes in the federal funding formula had increased the airport's annual capital funding by approximately $750,000 to $800,000. The additional money would help the airport plan maintenance and improvement projects over a five-year period.

Commissioners asked about the reliability of commercial flights to Albuquerque and Phoenix. Wenger said the county received monthly information about passenger numbers, delays and cancellations. "They've improved from earlier in the year, but they still have their challenges," she said.

Wenger explained that the airline had experienced changes in its other service contracts and that the county continued to discuss operational problems with the carrier. "We continue to dialogue with them constantly," she said, "but at a certain point, our ability to affect their operation is very limited."

Flores raised a separate concern about the quality of paving work in the parking lot after receiving a photograph from a constituent. "It appears to be substandard," Flores said, comparing the work with other paving projects he had seen. Wenger said the county had also inspected the work and identified areas that might need attention. "We have our own testing," she said, explaining that the county had construction oversight and was conducting material tests.

She said some areas appeared to contain voids and might require improvement, but she wanted to see the contractor's test results before making a final determination. "We have not accepted the project," Wenger said. "So construction isn't complete until it's accepted."

The contractor's work would be reviewed before final acceptance.

Detention Center faces staffing and pay concerns

Grant County Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola reported four vacant positions, including two detention officers, a sergeant and a corporal. As of September 28, the jail held 74 detainees, including 63 men and 11 women. During September, the facility recorded 110 intakes and 117 releases. The average daily population was 83, with a high of 96 and a low of 74.

Andazola also reported four medical appointment transports, one emergency room transport and one active suicide watch during the month.

The RISE program had 13 participants, six in the facility and seven in the community.

He discussed efforts to fill supervisory positions, provide specialized training and to organize another detention officer job fair. Recruitment had become more difficult, he said, with applications for officer positions slowing. "Our applications for detention officers have kind of come to a halt, which I've never seen happen just in the recent months," Andazola said. He told commissioners that detention facilities in neighboring counties were experiencing similar problems.

Ponce returned to a concern he had raised at earlier meetings: detention officer wages. He wanted the county to provide a more complete explanation of the proposed pay plan, including how much officers would earn and how the county would avoid creating pay problems for experienced employees.

Andazola said the department was working with county administration and finance officials on a step plan. He explained that the county needed to address wage compression, where new employees can earn nearly as much as officers who have served for years. "Oftentimes compared to the Department of Corrections, and other places, we do really well in raising the pay for new hires," Andazola said. "But that one officer that's been there 10 years, oftentimes the new hire makes as much as they do."

He said the county should not forget experienced employees while trying to attract new ones.

The detention center also needed enough officers to staff its shifts without repeatedly requiring supervisors and administrative employees to fill vacancies. Andazola said that with the additional authorized positions filled, the department could have eight officers assigned to each shift. "Right now, we're manning the facility with five or six, and you take one day off or someone calls in, that's four officers," he said.

He said that was not enough to maintain the desired staffing level. "Often times us administration fill in those positions on nights and weekends," he said. "I don't want to burn out my administrative staff."

Andazola also discussed retirement requirements for detention officers, noting the physical and mental demands of a long career in corrections. He said detention administrators had discussed whether the state should consider a shorter retirement period for correctional officers.

Ponce asked for a detailed report later in the month so commissioners could review the proposed wages and their cost. Andazola said he hoped to have the pay structure ready before the next recruitment event.

Emergency Management works on wildfire planning and backup power

Emergency Management Director Scot Fuller reported that the county's Community Wildfire Protection Plan had been submitted for state review. He expected the initial review to begin in October, with a full review panel considering the plan in early November.

The county was also working to make the plan and related mapping information available online. Fuller discussed backup generators planned for the Grant County Conference Center and the new public safety building. He said the large generators would take approximately six to eight months to manufacture.

Other generator projects were being planned for senior centers and fire stations. Stephens asked whether the conference center's backup power would be solar powered. Fuller clarified that the large units for the conference center and public safety building would be diesel generators. He said they were expected to have enough fuel for approximately 72 hours of continuous operation, allowing time to obtain more fuel if an emergency lasted longer.

Fuller also reported progress on communications projects and the county's emergency operations plan. After years of work, he said, the county had received notice that it would be reimbursed a little more than $69,000 for expenses related to flooding in August 2022.

The reimbursement paperwork had been completed, and he expected payment to follow.

County departments report projects and maintenance

The October 6 work session continued with reports from finance, information technology, planning and capital projects, public works and the Road Department. County staff discussed ongoing projects, budget administration and the work required to maintain public facilities.

The Finance Department reported that the county's fiscal year 2027 final budget had received Department of Finance and Administration approval September 2. County auditors were on site September 28 through September 30. A finance representative said the county's OpenGov financial software was expected to be fully configured by the end of November.

When commissioners asked about the audit, the response was that work remained on schedule.

Information Technology staff reported that much of the department's recent work had involved preparing the Grant County Conference Center for the county's takeover of management. That included computers, printers, telephone service, scheduling software and equipment needed to honor existing reservations.

[To read part 1 of this series, please visit: https://www.grantcountybeat.com/home/news-articles/grant-county-commissioners-hear-data-center-concerns-approve-wind-farm-bond-ordinance-and-review-county-operations-part-1 ]