In 2007, San Juan County acquired 190 acres, including an existing 42,000 sq. ft. building and other ancillary buildings, from the Bureau of Land Management and BHP Billiton (BHP) with the intent of developing an industrial park.

The existing facility consists of a 19,200 sq. ft. shop with two overhead bridge cranes 50ft. above the work area, warehouse space, lower-level locker rooms and support areas, and 8,200 sq. ft. of attached office space. Constructed in 1985, the facility is located 18 miles north of Farmington on Hwy. 170 and served as BHP’s La Plata mine headquarters until the closure of the coal mine in 2006.

As an affected coal community, San Juan County sees continued use and expansion of the San Juan County industrial park as an economic driver in replacing the loss of many high-paying, middle class, economic-based coal jobs. To better meet the needs of future industrial park tenants, the following infrastructure improvements have been made to facilitate future growth of the park: broadband extension to the facility, water/fire suppression system upgrades, lighting & security upgrades, mechanical upgrades to include HVAC systems, office area upgrades, and roof system improvements.

Additionally, a natural gas extension is planned for completion in summer 2025.