There’s an energy in Lea County, and we’re not just talking about the most prolific oil basin in the world — the Permian Basin. Best known as the EnergyPlex, this southeastern New Mexico county has been a major player in the world of energy — whether solar, wind, oil, gas, or nuclear.
Since 1928, oil and gas pioneers have combined their innovative and entrepreneurial efforts to develop a world-class energy hub in southeastern New Mexico. Today, Lea County is the number one oil-producing county in the United States, leading the way in innovation and technology to access the resources within layers of rock once thought impermeable.
“Lea County’s Delaware Basin, a concentrated sub-area within the western Permian Basin, may have more oil per square mile than anywhere else on the planet,” said Jennifer Grassham, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County. “There have been incredible plays using the technology of horizontal drilling to unlock more reserves. There’s been so much economic activity resulting from the shale boom, including substantial investment and drilling.”
Under Grassham’s leadership, the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County (EDCLC) works with local leaders to build on this economic base. With an all-inclusive approach to energy-related projects, coupled with an open-for-business attitude, Lea County has been successful in recruiting a wide variety of new innovative and technology-driven industries and jobs.
“Energy Plex provides a unique combination of thousands of acres of industrial-ready real estate and robust infrastructure,” said Dan Pfeiffer, former Director of Strategy for Xcel Energy. “This includes high voltage transmission access and a community willing to strategically partner to support the growth of additional jobs and capital investment.”
How true. Lea County’s newly developed EnergyPlex Park is a massive 9,600-acre industrial site located just outside of Hobbs. This park is ideal for a wide range of industry sectors, including manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, logistics, petroleum, fabrication, biofuels, solar, wind, and nuclear. EnergyPlex Park offers customizable lot sizes available for purchase or lease, with county-provided water, groundwater access, electric transmission and distribution lines, access roads, and natural gas transmission lines onsite. The park benefits from no impact fees or inventory taxes. Businesses participating in EnergyPlex Park can take advantage of Industrial Revenue Bonds, property tax abatements, and sales tax abatements, as well as state-offered manufacturing tax credits, high-wage job credits, and job training reimbursements.
“EnergyPlex Park is proximal to the Lea County Regional Airport (HOB), which provides daily flights to Denver and Houston via United Airlines. There is railroad access with connection to Union Pacific, the University of the Southwest, New Mexico Junior College, four power plants, and 30+ hotels. Hobbs even has the largest retail trade area in southeastern New Mexico — with access to almost 600,000 people within a 95-minute drive time.
EnergyPlex Park’s customizable layouts and extensive resources make it exceptionally well-suited for a diverse range of industrial projects. Its flexibility allows businesses to tailor the space to their specific needs, ensuring optimal operational efficiency. Additionally, the park benefits from a well-established workforce, a strong education system that supports ongoing skill development, and a dynamic array of growing industries. This combination of factors creates a fertile environment for business growth and sustainability. As a result, companies operating within EnergyPlex Park are positioned to thrive and remain competitive in Lea County for decades into the future.
For more information, visit www.edclc.org.
