LEA COUNTY, N.M. - International Isotopes has chosen a site in Lea County, New Mexico for a new facility that will create over 100 jobs.
Andrews County and a site in Idaho were also in the running. Officials with International Isotopes say the announcement was made in a conference call Monday morning.
Steve Laflin, with International Isotopes, told NewsWest9 the Lea County site, which is west of Hobbs, has good access to disposal facilities and utilities needed for the project.
The company processes uranium and extracts fluorine to be used in high-tech products.
The project will create about 150 jobs. The project will got through a permitting process and public hearings will be held in Lea County.
Lea County economic development officials told NewsWest9 they are extremely excited by the news and will be assisting International Isotopes get set up in New Mexico. They hope this is the first of many companies in the nuclear industry to look at Lea County.
Andrews County economic development officials were obviously hoping their site would be picked, but say they hope some of the workers choose to live in Andrews.
