Project Falcon Tissue Plant Put on Indefinite Hold in Pueblo, Threatening 300 Planned Jobs

Project Falcon, a proposed tissue paper manufacturing facility in Pueblo that was expected to create approximately 300 jobs, has been placed on an indefinite pause, according to local officials.

The project, planned for a site off Lime Road near the CS Wind factory, was halted after the out-of-state manufacturer behind the proposal requested that its agreement be removed from the City Council agenda last week.

City and county leaders remain unable to publicly identify the company involved because they are bound by non-disclosure agreements related to the project.

District Three Councilman Ted Hernandez said the company cited what it described as “the general divisiveness in the community regarding Project Falcon” as the reason for pausing the proposed partnership. Hernandez said the manufacturer informed officials that it would place the potential Falcon Pueblo partnership on an indefinite hold.

Addressing criticism surrounding the project's confidentiality, Hernandez said the process was consistent with how companies often evaluate expansion opportunities in other communities.

“We’re just trying to do everything we can to help the citizens of Pueblo,” Hernandez said. “There’s this whole big thing about secrecy. It wasn’t really secrecy, it’s process.”

The project had generated interest among some residents because of the employment opportunities it could provide. Hernandez pointed to the potential impact on local workers, citing the example of a Walmart employee earning $16.80 an hour who viewed the proposed facility as an opportunity to significantly increase his income.

Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham said greater openness would be necessary if the project were to move forward in the future.

“If Project Falcon wants to come into our community and be a partner with the City of Pueblo, I think that there has to be more transparency,” Graham said. “I think the community should expect nothing less.”