New Business Growth
International Isotopes, Inc (INIS): INIS will build a Depleted Uranium Deconversion and Fluorine Extraction starting in 2013. Their products can be used in petroleum operations, photovoltaic solar cells, and refrigerant and aluminum production. This facility will employ between 125-150 full-time employees plus additional construction jobs. www.intisoid.com
Joule Unlimited: Joule is the pioneer of Liquid Fuel from the Sun, enabling direct, continuous conversion of sunlight and waste CO2 to infrastructure-ready fuels and chemicals at virtually unlimited scale and stable, competitive costs. They currently employ between 15-20 people. www.jouleunlimited.com
Intercontinental Potash Corporation (ICP): A world-class potash find has been identified in Lea County. Currently preparing their environmental impact analysis, ICP anticipates an operational mine by 2014/2015. When at full scale operations, this mine could employ up to 400-450 full time employees. www.icpotash.com
United Airlines: Daily flights via United Airlines are available from the Lea County Regional Airport in Hobbs (HOB). These flights are within a 90 minute connection time of over 200 world-wide destinations. The county and airport management are currently exploring additional flight service options to Albuquerque and other westward locations. www.flyhobbs.com
Exelon/ Wild Cat Wind: Exelon and Wild Cat wing recently complete a wind turbine array in the Lovington area. The power will feed into Lea County Electric Cooperative’s power grid.
Eldorado Bio-Fuels: Eldorado Bio-Fuels is a leading company in the areas of industrial waste water treatment, algae cultivation and bio-fuel production. Eldorado has a demonstration facility in the EnergyPlex and hopes to commercialize their production in the near future. www.eldoradobiofuels.com
AeonClad: Through a partnership between Emergent Technologies, Inc. and Lea County, a new project is nearly ready to begin operations in Lea County. AeonClad coats feathers to make them water resistant and will be used in lining for cold weather gear. This is just the first of the “research to commercialization” projects that have been realized from the County/ETI partnership.
URENCO USA National Enrichment Facility: URENCO USA is a nuclear-related facility that enriches uranium to be used as fuel in nuclear power plants all over the world. URENCO employs approximately 350 employees and supports between 600-900 ongoing construction jobs. www.nefnm.com
SunEdison: SunEdison completed work on a 50MW photovoltaic solar deployment in Lea and Eddy Counties. Each of the 5 sites has a 10 MW solar array, with four sites in Lea County and one site in Eddy County. The solar arrays will generate enough energy to power more than 192,000 homes for a year. This project has put Lea County on the World’s solar map. www.sunedison.com
Petroleum Industry Expansions: Due to advances in hydrofracking and horizontal drilling, the Permian Basin is experiencing a resurgence of petroleum activities. Several companies, including international manufacturers are exploring the potential of locating new or expanding existing facilities in the EnergyPlex.
New Housing Developments: Ledgestone Apartments, Western States Development, Windscape Apartment Expansion, Gold Creek homes
New Hotels: Holiday Inn Express (nearly completed), Wyndham – Baymont Hotel (under construction), Marriot TowneHome Extended Stay (under construction), Hilton Garden Suites Hotel (announced)
New Retail: Lowe’s, Hibbit Sports, Tractor Supply, Schlotzsky’s, Dollar General, Eagle Theater (expansion), Sterling, Gebo’s, Steele, Denny’s