Strategic Plan Identifies Animas Airpark and La Posta as Key Opportunity for Economic Growth

533-acre study area could create nearly 2,000 jobs, expand employment space, and strengthen La Plata County’s economic foundation.

The La Plata Economic Development Alliance (Alliance) is set to release the Animas Airpark and La Posta Strategic Plan, identifying the 533-acre area south of Durango as one of La Plata County’s most significant opportunities to expand its employment base, diversify the local economy, and create space for existing and future businesses.

Prepared by Pioneer Development Company, the Strategic Plan finds strong market demand for commercial and industrial space in the area, along with interest from property owners. However, infrastructure, access, and regulatory barriers have prevented development from occurring at scale.

This economic feasibility plan provides a framework for a longer term vision for La Plata County. We are not simply proposing development for the sake of development, this is about creating the conditions needed for businesses to grow in La Plata County. We need to expand opportunities for good-paying jobs and strengthen our business foundation that allows for economic mobility and our community to thrive.

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The study comes as La Plata County faces a significant challenge: the county’s inflation-adjusted economy has experienced essentially no growth since 2013, while industrial vacancy is estimated at just 0.5 percent and no industrial construction is underway.

Rather than proposing immediate buildout of the entire study area, the Strategic Plan uses a market-based approach. The plan forecasts approximately 1.145 million square feet of commercial and industrial space and 18 residential units over an approximately 21-year period, from 2029 through 2049. 

At full build out, the Strategic Plan estimates that the development program could support approximately 1,930 permanent on-site jobs, with an estimated blended wage approximately 19 percent above the county’s current private-sector average. The development program could contribute an estimated $142.7 million in annual labor income and $248 million in annual GDP.

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The Strategic Plan identifies central water and sewer, improved roads and access, stormwater infrastructure, and improved fire protection among the most important barriers to development. Significant infrastructure investment will be needed to unlock the opportunity. The study estimates approximately $28.5 million in trunk infrastructure costs for water, sewer, roads, stormwater, and fire protection. Financial modeling indicates that tax increment financing could potentially offset approximately 96 percent of those costs.

Moving forward will require collaboration among La Plata County, the City of Durango, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, property owners, businesses, infrastructure and public safety partners, and the Alliance.

Among the plan’s recommended next steps are:

  • Advance discussions regarding secondary access to the Animas Airpark;
  • Advance the trunk water and sewer infrastructure strategy;
  • Coordinate with the Durango Fire Protection District on water pressure and fire-flow requirements;
  • Continue coordination with La Plata Electric Association regarding future electrical capacity;
  • Develop and adopt appropriate zoning overlays and design standards;
  • Establish an appropriate tax increment financing and special district structure; and
  • Build a sustained business retention, expansion, and attraction effort to fill new employment space as it becomes available.

Strategic Plan publishing soon.

The Strategic Plan provides a framework for that collaboration and a potential path toward creating more employment space, attracting new businesses, and strengthening La Plata County’s long-term economic foundation. The community is encouraged to review the Animas Airpark and La Posta Strategic Plan after it is published and provide feedback as conversations about the area’s future continue.

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