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$1 million approved for new South Valley pre-k
A South Valley pre-kindergarten organization is getting some new digs. The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9 the allocation of $1 million in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Peanut Butter and Jelly (PB&J). The money will be used to cover the cost of leveling ground and setting up utilities for a new facility at 900 Armijo Road.
PB&J is currently holding all of its operations on a county-owned property on Lopez Road. Once the new building is finished, PB&J is expected to serve more than 40 students each school year. As of now, the anticipated date for the new facility is early 2026.
Environment department releases interactive dashboard of formerly operating uranium mine and mill sites
The New Mexico Environment Department and Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department launched a new dashboard aimed at increasing transparency of the reclamation status of formerly operating uranium sites across the state. The dashboard summarizes mine and mill site information, relevant regulatory action under the jurisdiction of NMED and EMNRD, and displays information for other non-permitted sites where available.
Uranium continues to serve as an important source material for nuclear power plants to this day. However, there are no active mining sites in New Mexico, but there are still risks that come with the legacy of these sites, including risks to human health, water, and land resources.
The interactive dashboard can be found at www.env.nm.gov.
Bernalillo County gets money for emergency response training
Bernalillo County was awarded $640,000 from the state Homeland Security Grant Program. The competitive grant is from the U.S. Department of Health and is managed by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The grant was made in efforts to provide professional development training and is necessary for the maintenance and acquisition of vital emergency response equipment. The money will also go towards ensuring that New Mexicans with special needs have appropriate resources in emergency situations.
The county has already approved several projects that will be funded by this grant money. Some of the projects include $205,000 for the county’s Department of Emergency Management to purchase utility terrain vehicles, emergency sheltering equipment, and upgrades to existing emergency trailers and $250,000 for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office for training and SWAT equipment.
North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center construction begins
Local politicians grabbed their shovels and broke ground at the future North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center site.
The aquatic center is set to feature an indoor competition pool, a diving pool with three diving boards, and a heated indoor therapy pool. The center will also include a large recreational water play area with two slides and multiple play and spray features.
The North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center will offer facilities suitable for hosting all levels of local and state swimming competitions. That means competitive swimming events will stay here in the Land of Enchantment. The facility aims to attract organizations seeking a venue for aquatics events, including water polo tournaments and olympic training. The center will also offer the University of New Mexico a collegiate aquatics competition facility that meets NCAA standards.
The funding for the facility is sourced from numerous sources, including the state, city and Albuquerque Public Schools, totalling more than $45,000,000 to date.