Local Industries
La Junta – the place where the trails meet – has always played a major role in the Arkansas Valley economy.
The community was founded along the banks of the Arkansas River, once the international boundary between Mexico and the United States, not far from the site of Old Bent’s Fort. Prior to 1846 and the war with Mexico, the fort was the last outpost of the United States along the Santa Fe Trail before crossing the Arkansas River into Mexico. Bent’s Fort was originally established as a trading post for the Native Americans but its location along the Santa Fe Trail soon turned the fort into a supply center for merchants, trappers, explorers, and the U.S. Army. The area around La Junta has always been important from an economic standpoint – and this tradition continues today. With the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1880s La Junta’s importance as an economic center was assured. The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad still continue to be a mainstay of La Junta and the Arkansas Valley.
Once the rails were laid the Arkansas Valley was poised for a population explosion. The land around La Junta was opened for settlement. With the influx of new settlers, agriculture - both farming and ranching - became the major industry in the Arkansas Valley. Today agriculture still plays an important part in La Junta’s economic base. Businesses catering to farming and ranching abound.
La Junta’s Winter Livestock and the La Junta Livestock Commission combined make up the second largest market for feeder cattle and calves in the country behind Oklahoma City. The Ag Journal, established in 1949, is headquartered in La Junta. The journal covers agricultural issues in a 10-state region.
La Junta is also home to several diverse non-agricultural industries. These businesses are located in the city of La Junta itself, and the La Junta Industrial Park. The 3,500 acre La Junta Industrial Park offers a wide range of opportunities for the establishment or relocation of existing businesses. The La Junta Industrial Park is located four miles north of town and caters to industrial and manufacturing companies. The complex also offers recreational facilities that include the La Junta Golf Course, Kids Rodeo Grounds, and the La Junta Raceway. It also houses a childcare center which is available for Industrial Park employees. The La Junta Municipal Airport is located at the Industrial Park also.
Relocated La Junta Businesses
DeBourgh Manufacturing Company was established in 1909 in Minneapolis, MN. They began building athletic lockers in 1931 and moved the entire operation to La Junta in 1989. They have expanded their line and are now known in the industry as the higest quality locker producer.
Lewis Bolt and Nut Company began building rail fastener products in 1921 in Minnesota. After a six-month site search in 1993 covering five states, they moved their manufacturing operation to La Junta. The company's fasteners are in wide spread use throughout several industries today.
Holden Marketing Support Services opened their facility in the Industrial Park in late 1997. The La Junta facility is an inbound contact center which may handle up to 50,000 calls per week.
Coffee Holding Company (CHC) has been located in La Junta since 2004. They are an integrated wholesale coffee roaster and dealer in the United States. They distribute their private label and branded coffee products to supermarkets and wholesalers worldwide from their facilities in La Junta
Oliver Manufacturing Company Inc. headquartered in the Arkansas Valley since 1947, is a manufacturer of quality seed separation equipment. In 2007 they moved to a 200,000 square foot facility at the Industrial Park and hope to expand their current product line.
Other La Junta Businesses
La Junta Tribune Democrat was established in 1896 making it the oldest existing business in La Junta. They still publish a daily paper in La Junta as well as weekly papers for other communities in the Arkansas Valley.
La Junta Trading, established in 1907, is the oldest single-family owned business existing in La Junta today. Now affiliated with ACE Hardware, they carry lumber, building materials, hardware and paint.
CBR YouthConnect is a non-profit, national residential treatment facility that provides accredited mental health services, and education to at-risk boys, ages 10 – 21. They integrate educational and therapeutic activities within a nurturing environment.
Falcon Industries is a machine shop that specializes in manufacturing a number of air and hydraulic cylinders. Established in 1981, they can manufacture whatever you need
Future Industries
La Junta has room to expand or establish your business in the community or Industrial Park. There are turn-key ready buildings and innovative financial enticements available for renovation and/or new construction.
For more information please contact:
Ron Davis
Director of Economic Development
1802 Colorado Avenue
La Junta, Colorado 81050
office: (719) 384-6965
cell: (719) 469-1081
e-mail: ron.davis@ojc.edu
