Luján Tours Las Cruces to Highlight Investments Secured for Southern N.M.

Events include the Children’s Reading Alliance, Remarks to the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce, and New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M) traveled to Las Cruces to highlight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) secured for early and higher education, and local economies in Southern New Mexico. As a proud Head Start alumni, Luján first visited a Las Cruces Public School Head Start classroom at Booker T. Washington Elementary School to celebrate the passage of the early childhood constitutional amendment and recent CDS funding.

Next, Senator Luján addressed the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce at the Legislative Send Off Luncheon to highlight the investments the congressional delegation secured for the Las Cruces region and all of Southern New Mexico. Ending the day, Senator Luján visited New Mexico State University (NMSU) to highlight $5.8 million secured for multiple projects that will ensure NMSU provides the tools and resources needed for students to succeed and gain experience in cutting-edge research.

Last December, Senator Luján and the delegation delivered over $273 million in investments for 146 local projects across New Mexico through the Omnibus Spending Bill that President Biden signed into law.

“Today’s visits demonstrate how federal investments can have a profound impact on our local communities,” said Senator Luján. “From our kids in Head Start, to the Las Cruces economy, and further federal support for NMSU, I’m proud and excited for the opportunities to come and to see how Las Cruces will use this funding to set the entire community on a path to ongoing success. Our conversations today underscore why I will continue to fight for robust education funding and always support our local business communities in Las Cruces and throughout New Mexico.”

Background:  Senator Luján secured over $18 million in funding for education projects in the state, including the Children’s Reading Alliance. Senator Luján also co-sponsored and voted to pass Senator Heinrich’s New Mexico Education Enhancement Act, providing Congressional approval for changes to New Mexico’s permanent fund for early childhood education programs, which was overwhelmingly supported by voters in New Mexico.

For Southern New Mexico, Senator Luján delivered important investments ranging from more than $2.8 million for Las Cruces USDA projects and $2 million to protect against future flooding and repair existing flood damage. Funding secured also include investments in New Mexico’s military installations like the White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base to support the service members dedicated to carrying out their missions.

Senator Luján secured $2.9 million for New Mexico State University, including $1.6 million for NMSU’s testbed for clean energy and grid modernization, $844,000 for NMSU’s Agrivoltaics Research Program, $350,000 for NMSU’s Arrowhead Center to create a new Agriculture Venture Center, and $200,000 for NMSU’s Glass Family Research to support research and outdoor education for early childhood teachers. Senator Luján also secured over $2.8 million for USDA’s Jornada Range Management Research Unit and Southwest Climate Hub located at NMSU. 

 ###