Heinrich, Luján, Vasquez Welcome $139 Million to Build a Fertilizer Manufacturing Facility in Carlsbad

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $139 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program to build a sulfate of potash manufacturing facility near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The United States currently faces challenges regarding the secure domestic production of critical minerals and a reliance on foreign sources for essential agricultural inputs. Sulfate potash is an important source of potassium, the third major crop nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorus. Intrepid Potash’s new manufacturing facility will expand on their current operations in New Mexico to strengthen the domestic supply chain of fertilizer and reduce reliance on imports. When fully operational, the sulfate of potash facility will produce approximately 220,000 short tons annually, which is enough to support more than 1.3 million U.S. agricultural acres and the equivalent of nearly 3,000 producers. In addition to reducing reliance on imported potash, the project will also benefit southeastern New Mexico by stimulating the regional economy.

Earlier this month, Heinrich, Luján, and Vasquez sent a letter of support for the proposed sulfate of potash manufacturing facility to the USDA.

“Intrepid’s fertilizer mining and production facilities are already an important source of good-paying jobs in Southeastern New Mexico. This $139 million investment will dramatically build on that. The new facility near Carlsbad will create more jobs, strengthen our local economy, and expand fertilizer production here at home to ensure farmers have the supplies they need to grow the food that feeds our families,” said Heinrich.

“This $139 million investment is a major win for southeastern New Mexico and for agriculture across the country,” said Luján. “This funding will help create economic opportunities, strengthen our domestic supply chain, and reduce our reliance on foreign imports. I’m proud to welcome this investment, and I will continue fighting to bring federal resources home to New Mexico.”

“As fertilizer prices continue to rise, I welcome this investment to help produce more domestic fertilizer products right here in New Mexico’s second Congressional District,” said Vasquez. “This investment will allow the company’s operations to expand, ensuring its longevity and stability in a volatile market while providing good jobs for folks in Carlsbad and surrounding communities.”

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