Grand Junction, Colorado (February 20, 2025)

Today, Governor Polis, the Global Business Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) announced that Morgan Mining, a leading interdisciplinary construction, mining, engineering, and management firm has selected Grand Junction, CO for expansion. The company is projected to create up to 893 new primary jobs over an eight-year period and received approval for the Job Growth Tax Incentive, valued at up to $10,890,875 in eligible tax credits, contingent on job creation and salary requirements.   

“I’m thrilled to congratulate Morgan Mining on its expansion in western Colorado, which will bring 893 new jobs to Grand Junction and Mesa County. Our state is the best place to live, work, and do business, and this exciting announcement continues our work to build a Colorado for All,” stated Governor Polis.  

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Morgan Mining is part of the Morgan family of companies. Started in 1989, Morgan has developed into a highly respected and reliable heavy civil construction and mining company. Morgan has partnered with numerous municipal, state, federal, and private clients to complete projects of all sizes. As the company identified the need to expand its operations, particularly its mining services, the company faced the decision of either expanding its headquarters in Knoxville or their facility in Mesa County.  

“We are excited to move forward with our expansion plans in Mesa County. We decided that creating a mining-focused hub in Mesa County provided the best economic and growth opportunities for Morgan.  From the outset of this expansion project, OEDIT and GJEP were very actively engaged with us and ultimately provided the support needed to tip the scales in favor of Mesa County.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with these entities, as well as other local leaders, as this expansion moves forward,” stated Justin Morgan, President of Morgan Mining.  

Morgan Mining first entered the region when it acquired Phoenix Mining at the beginning of 2024. Morgan Mining provides skilled mining support, contract production mining, underground mining equipment maintenance and rebuilding, and other ancillary services. Having already outgrown Phoenix Mining’s offices in Delta (creating over 150 new jobs in the region in the last 12 months), Morgan Mining moved to its current Grand Junction location in 2024. In addition to expanding its Mesa County facilities to support the additional growth, Morgan Mining is also planning to develop additional mining equipment maintenance and parts inventory, as well as expanding its education and training programs to address critical skill gaps facing the industry.  

“Morgan Mining’s investment into Mesa County represents a significant milestone for the regional economy. With up to 893 new jobs projected over the next eight years, this expansion provides incredible opportunities for local workforce development while reinforcing the region’s reputation for supporting industry growth. We are proud to partner with Morgan Mining as they invest in our community’s future,” stated Curtis Englehart, Executive Director for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership.  

Throughout the expansion process, Morgan Mining worked closely with the Grand Junction Economic Partnership to receive an overview of available incentives and connections to state and local leadership. “We are thrilled to partner with Grand Junction Economic Partnership and support Morgan Mining’s expansion in Mesa County. When companies like Morgan Mining expand in rural Colorado, they strengthen and diversify regional communities and economies. That’s a win for western Colorado and a win for the state of Colorado,” stated OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman.  

Approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Job Growth Tax Incentive is an eight-year job creation incentive to support competitive, multi-state, or county relocation and expansion projects. The tax credit gives businesses a Colorado state income tax credit equal to 50% of FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) tax paid by the company per net new job for each calendar year in the credit period. The tax credit is performance-based, and the tax incentive is only paid out when new job creation is realized by the business. To count towards the incentive, companies must pay new employees at least 100% of the average annual wage in the county in which they will be located, which, for Mesa County, is currently $56,524. In Mesa County, Morgan Mining expects to create up to 893 net new jobs, including engineers, electricians, and finance roles at an average annual wage of $92,447. 

People interested in working for Morgan Mining are encouraged to apply at https://www.morgan1.com/careers. Current job openings are for those with prior mining experience, but new positions for those looking to transition into a career in the mining industry will be posted as this expansion moves forward.