Rhino Health innovates at Church Rock
Rhino charges forward
With its revolutionary Rhino healthcare facility, in Church Rock, NM, has moved to Phase II of a 100,000 square foot facility expansion.
The facility will manufacture “Made in the Navajo Nation” nitrile gloves – the PPE needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during this pandemic.
The project is also expected to create 350 new jobs.
“The Navajo people deserve good jobs that are located here in our homeland,†Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Jamie Henio said.
The expansion is an investment for the Church Rock community, added Henio.
Henio said Navajo President Seth Damon and the Council of the Navajo Nation are planning more construction projects that will create jobs and boost the economy during a pandemic.
“This innovation is the first step.” said Hénio.
In October 2019, Damon sponsored Legislation # 0180-19, allocating more than $ 19 million from the SÃhasin Fund for the construction of the plant and employing more than 350 Navajo people.
The 24th Navajo Nation Council passed the bill with 19 votes in favor and 0 against.
“Creating jobs and developing infrastructure projects in the Navajo Nation is a top priority. Especially when small businesses and businesses locate these jobs in our communities, â€Damon said. “The expansion of the Church Rock plant is one of many other economic proposals that will revive the Navajo economy and keep our employees working.”
The Phase II expansion will increase the production and distribution of nitrile latex gloves, with 100% Navajo labor to build the facility.
“For the past four years we have made our home in the Navajo Nation,†said Rhino CEO Mark Lee.
He estimated that 500 billion latex gloves are made in one year.
“In Church Rock alone, we make about seven million gloves in a month. This means the Navajo will manufacture 1.5 billion gloves over the next year, â€said Lee.
The state-of-the-art facility will exponentially increase Rhino’s production and transportation operations, added Lee.
SÃhasin funds have been invested for this project. The fund was established to provide financial support and funding for the planning and development of regional infrastructure projects. This includes the construction of housing, water lines, solid waste management projects, transportation, and the installation of power lines and communications systems for the Navajo Nation.