GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A new recycling facility is coming to Grand Junction, promising 30 high-paying jobs and a new chapter for the city’s industrial sector. The development, spearheaded by Bruin Waste Management with support from the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP), will be located on the former Halliburton campus—now part of the Mesa Industrial Development Park.

Backed by funding from Colorado’s Rural Jumpstart program, the facility is designed not only to handle regional waste management needs but also to act as an anchor employer in a part of the city seeking long-term industrial revitalization.

$56K Median Wage, Local Hiring Prioritized

According to GJEP, the facility will offer approximately 30 jobs with average annual wages of $56,000, a significant improvement over Mesa County’s current median wage. The roles are expected to range from equipment technicians to operations management, with a strong emphasis on technical skills and career advancement opportunities.

“These are not entry-level minimum wage jobs—these are positions with long-term viability,” said Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of GJEP. “We want this facility to be a pipeline for local talent and a hub for sustainability innovation.”

Rural Jumpstart Powers Revitalization

The project was made possible through Colorado’s Rural Jumpstart program, a state economic incentive designed to attract new businesses to rural counties and spur economic diversification. It allows participating businesses to benefit from tax relief, including income, sales, and use tax exemptions, provided they meet specific employment and education requirements.

To qualify, companies must not compete with existing Colorado businesses and must demonstrate a commitment to local hiring and education partnerships. Bruin Waste’s proposal included a workforce development component involving Colorado Mesa University (CMU) students—a key reason the project was approved.

CMU Students Tapped for Internships, Workforce Training

A standout feature of the facility’s plan is its built-in partnership with Colorado Mesa University, one of Grand Junction’s fastest-growing institutions. Bruin Waste is expected to provide a direct pipeline for CMU students to gain real-world experience through internships, co-ops, and on-the-job training.

“Whether that’s through internships or on-the-job training… What we want is to be able to retain our workforce through Colorado Mesa University and their graduates,” said Englehart.

The partnership could create a win-win scenario, where CMU environmental science and engineering students gain hands-on experience while the facility secures a steady stream of motivated, educated workers.

Strategic Location: Mesa Industrial Development Park

The new facility will be located on the former Halliburton site, which has been rebranded as the Mesa Industrial Development Park—a strategic move by city leaders to turn dormant industrial real estate into productive, job-generating assets.

Officials say the location offers strong logistics potential, with easy access to major transportation routes and proximity to both residential and commercial zones in Grand Junction.

“This is a textbook example of adaptive reuse,” said a city planner familiar with the project. “Instead of letting the Halliburton property languish, we’re creating something future-focused and tied to long-term sustainability goals.”

Environmental and Economic Impact

The facility’s core mission will be to enhance regional recycling capacity, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the environmental footprint of Grand Junction and neighboring communities. It is expected to process a variety of recyclable materials, including:

• Plastics (PET, HDPE, mixed)

• Cardboard and paper

• Glass

• Metal and aluminum

• Organic waste (future phase)

This could significantly bolster Mesa County’s waste diversion rate, which remains below state goals. Environmental groups have applauded the move, calling it a “critical infrastructure upgrade” for the Western Slope.

At the same time, economic developers see the project as a model for rural sustainability investment—combining economic growth, environmental stewardship, and education all under one roof.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

Public response to the announcement has been largely positive, with many residents welcoming both the environmental benefits and the potential for high-quality employment.

Local officials have not yet confirmed the construction timeline, but GJEP says ground is expected to break by late summer, with the facility fully operational by early 2026.

“This is just the beginning,” said Englehart. “We’re hopeful that this facility sets a precedent for what’s possible when public-private partnerships align with community needs.”

The Grand Junction Economic Partnership has hinted at more projects in the pipeline aimed at expanding the industrial tax base and attracting clean-tech employers to the region.