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150 wind-energy jobs coming
More Business News Abilene economic development officials expect to announce this week that a wind-energy manufacturing company is officially coming to town.
The Development Corporation of Abilene last week approved a $4.7 million incentive package to the company to construct a $20 million plant that will eventually bring 150 high-paying manufacturing jobs.
Wind-energy companies, such as Energy Maintenance Service, which recently leased the former Lockheed Martin facility on Wall Street, have begun moving to the Big Country frequently, leading economic development officials to call Abilene "wind-central."
The company was attracted first by an Abilene Industrial Foundation advertisement in a wind-energy business journal.
"It's a reflection of the ads and making people aware of what Abilene has to offer," Bill Ehrie, president of the Abilene Industrial Foundation, said of the company's interest in Abilene. "We have the wind, and we have the land, and we have the transmission capabilities, and we have a business-friendly state."
Project PS-TT, as the DCOA has dubbed the wind-energy manufacturing company, will spend more than $20 million to build and equip its manufacturing plant in the Five Points Business Park in northwest Abilene on a 40-acre site north of PWP Industries, according to DCOA documents. It has not been announced what type of wind-energy components the company will produce. The DCOA and the company have a confidentiality contract until the company accepts the DCOA's offer.
According to DCOA chief executive officer Richard Burdine, the manufacturing plant is a big step for the entire state because few wind-energy components are manufactured locally.
"There's been little investment in the U.S. Most of the manufacturing takes place overseas," he said. "We're excited to see the potential for substantial investment."
Direct incentives offered by the DCOA include $1.8 million for job creation over five years.
Of the 150 jobs, 39 will pay $30,000 to $40,000 a year, according to the DCOA, while 105 of the positions would pay $40,000 to $50,000. Six of the jobs would pay more than $60,000.
The DCOA will also pay the company $2 million over five years at 10 percent of capital costs up to $400,000 a year.
Indirect incentives to the company will total $911,250, according to DCOA documents. The company will need several entry-level welders, and the DCOA approved paying $75,000 to expand Cisco Junior College's fast track welder training program.
To extend rail service into the south boundary of the company's location in the business park, the DCOA will pay $236,250.
Also, the DCOA will convey an estimated 40 acres of land in the business park to the company, an estimated value of $600,000.
Posted by texmade2 on May 28, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is great
Posted by FamilyMan on May 28, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And we could have had a sports complex with 200 parttime jobs
Posted by ropers40 on May 28, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats why Abileneians did not want to give 15 million to AYSA\Musgrave. Way to go DCOA keep up the good work.
Posted by gfm413 on May 28, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The DCOA and Industrial Foundation are on a roll!
This a great news and for all of those who wanted to blow DCOA money on a soccer field... well
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great news for Wylie.
Now if the DCOA can convince these families to move into the Cooper and AHS school districts they will have really done their job.
Wylie will no doubt bo 5a and everyone else will die on the vine.
It is ashame that Abilene will soon have 2 3a schools because their will be no attractive updated schools or nice sports complexes.
Posted by tiny on May 28, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The company was very worried about the low unemployment rate and lack of qualified workforce. Proximity to wind energy won the day though.
Told DCOA the Career High School was a fabulous idea and be great for Abilene.
Too Bad
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The company may have told the DCOA that the Career High School was a fabulous idea, but you still have to convince the incoming families where to live, go to school and worship.
Aint happenin.
People will go to Wylie.
Can you say 5A BABY. Wylie is already making plans.
State money will flow freely to Wylie while Cooper and AHS will just continue to get choked out.
Abilene has sealed their fate with the last vote and they deserve what they get. Or don't get in this case.
Posted by whatif on May 28, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Where are the ones who want to kill the DCOA?
Posted by abcxyz123 on May 28, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job DCOA! I was, and still am a big supporter of the sports complex, but it is good to see the DCOA doing some wonderful things for Abilene. Too bad people didn't understand that we can have both.
Good news like this helps EVERYBODY. A pat on the back to the DCOA and AIF.
Posted by markp on May 28, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mailman7
After reading your first post I thought, "O boy...another griper and complainer!" But, after reading your second post I see where you're coming from now and I completely agree with you. Although, the majority of the jobs mentioned in the article (assuming they are the main wage earner) probably won't be able to afford too much in Wylie schools, unless a developer capitalizes on that.
However, unless you have lived under a rock for the past 10-15 years or refuse to see the truth, you cannot deny the scenario you have just described has already been taking place during that time. You're right that the citizens of Abilene have dealt themselves a very tall order in attempting to remain competitive with other area school districts. Whether one agrees with it or not, schools (their appearance, their atmosphere, their classroom successes and athletic successes) factor in heavily when families decide where to live and work. With the vote down of all the bond proposals AISD is definitely withering on the vine. I wouldn't pronounce them dead...just seriously in need of some fertilizer and water!
Posted by markp on May 28, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes...GREAT JOB DCOA!!! Hand claps all around!
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MarkP,
The irony here is that the DCOA members are also owners of RAINDANCE an investment company that loans businesses money to come into Abilene. Such as Genesis, Tiga, and others. These old establishment men seven or eight of them make money off of our tax dollars while investing in all companies that come into Abilene. They don't care at all what you and I do or make. These guys are laughing all the way to the bank.
That is why the PAC spent $240,000 do get the AYSA project voted down. Cuz in the long haul it costs them money. BIG MONEY.
Abilene should be ashamed that the DCOA and it subsidiariy companies like RAINDANCE are allowed to get away with Library gate.
While at the same time, Abilene the community will continue to suffer.
Posted by drlongbailey on May 28, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Question. If the DCOA can approve $75,000 to Cisco Junior College for a 'fast-track' welding program, can they contribute money to a professional high school whose primary goal is to make high school students employable?
Posted by topo97 on May 28, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There will need to another vote...
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Call the KING.
He'll give you the money.
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have never bragged about them. All of the uninformed folks have. I am just stating the obvious. Do your homework Abilene.
Posted by rsjz4 on May 28, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
But would these 'employable' high school students stay in Abilene? Why would they want to when they can go to the Metroplex, Austin, Houston, or San Antonio and make 2-3 times the amount of money?
Posted by drlongbailey on May 28, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess that would be part of my question. Vote or not have to vote, could the DCOA contribute money? And, I would think that high school students who are offered jobs at decent salaries would tend to stay in Abilene, after all their families are here. College students tend to move, and they are a little more mature. Okay, and who is the KING? Since I was reading another link and someone said they were KING.
Posted by Mage on May 28, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That same $240,000 in negative advertising turned the tide against a very close AISD vote.
DCOA owes AISD and Abilene big time
Posted by elizabeth on May 28, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Boy and this blog started off so positive and no we are back to nit picking and complaining. Anyone wanna quote verses next? We have already mentioned AISd and Wylie, north and south boundaries... sports complex. Come on someone start preaching and we will have a good ole ARN blog
Posted by drlongbailey on May 28, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, I gotta agree. Sorry I asked the question. Evidently I should do some reading on the DCOA, since it appears very little is known about what they can and can't do.
Posted by ropers40 on May 28, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have scored some pretty good jobs due to the wind energy and hopefully the DCOA can continue to entice these companies. If that happens then maybe we can have a career high school and sports complex.
I am extremely happy with this in the fact that I live on North 10th street and its nearly a straight shot to five points, thus making the homes possibly worth more.
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Spoken like a true accountant.
RRRR
Posted by texmade2 on May 28, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let there be light , and some one flipped on
the light switch for the DCOA .
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They being who?
Shire? what is a shire?
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The DCOA does not want light shed on them my friend.
They operate in stealth.
Posted by take_em on May 28, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Iceman- Please add more thought to your posts and combine possibly combine thoughts to create a paragraph. Geez.
elizabeth- ACU, Church of Christ, Healthcare (HMC, ARMC, doctors, pay, etc.), Musgrave, Norm, rich people, minorities, welfare, voting. I think that just about covers it!... Oh, and that one guy's frivilous lawsuit against ARMC from an article a couple weeks ago.
Posted by mailman7 on May 28, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I not only see it. I have pointed it out old man.
Posted by rsjz4 on May 28, 2008 at 6:56 p.m.
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Posted by Bear on May 28, 2008 at 9:38 p.m.
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Posted by mssmith88 on May 28, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe im just a glass half full kind of person.. but im just happy that we have higher paying jobs coming into the area. GOOD THING - hands down...
Posted by teh_freaky on May 29, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At least it isn't another restaurant or retail store.
And people not moving here because we don't have sports complexes or all brand new schools is the biggest load of bull crap I've heard in a while. People aren't moving here because there are not an abundance of professional or specialized jobs available.
Abilene's economy needs diversification BADLY.
Posted by ufltmcupstelnet on May 29, 2008 at 6:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm just happy that the DCOA has invested money in a business that's not going to be competing with China some day. That's the problem with most manufacturing jobs. And someone ought to dig deeper into the RAINDANCE comments.
One final thought... the reason DCOA is on a roll is because their effectiveness was challenged big time by AYSA. We should all thank the AYSA people for shedding some light the realities of the DCOA. I'm glad that DCOA seems to have gotten the message.
Posted by Dinner_4_2 on May 29, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
freaky got it right IMHO. We don't run schools or anything else without good paying jobs. And fast food is not the answer.
Posted by mailman7 on May 29, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am thanking AYSA for the eventual explosion of the Wylie comunity. My real estate prices have continued to go up.
Posted by topo97 on May 29, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Forward thinking....
Posted by topo97 on May 29, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
and less complaining...
Posted by Mage on May 29, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH great melted ice cube
There are several big reasons Wyle can do more
Wylie is about 8-10% free and reduced lunch with a very very limited Special Ed Population
AISD is over 50% free and reduced lunch and has a very large special needs population.
The state pays the same 30 bucks per kid. When you grow with rich kids, you get more property values and more money from the state.
When you shrink and concentrate poorer kids, you get weaker property values and less money from the state.
Note the FREE LUNCH. That and diesel are 2 huge reasons for upcoming budget shortfall.
All of you no votes just makes things worse and raises taxes in the long run. Mostly to business that don't get homesteaded and senior exemptions like you do.
Still think you could do a better job than the current Admin.
Posted by mailman7 on May 29, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bravo Mage!
The older generation will only add to the problem knowing that any increased tax problem, (if any) will not greatly affect them.
Posted by take_em on May 29, 2008 at 12:31 p.m.
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Posted by gnreed on May 30, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"elizabeth- ACU, Church of Christ, Healthcare (HMC, ARMC, doctors, pay, etc.), Musgrave, Norm, rich people, minorities, welfare, voting. I think that just about covers it!... Oh, and that one guy's frivilous lawsuit against ARMC from an article a couple weeks ago."
Give me alittle time, then we will discuss how frivilous the lawsuit is.
http://medicalmalpracticedeath.blogsp...
Posted by rea4154 on May 31, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad that we are getting better jobs in abilene. God only knows this town needs to expand!! My only concern is with Utilities being so high will people in the big country get price breaks on the electricity produced by the wind or does it get delivered somewhere else with no benefits to the big country. I know that the people LUCKY enough to own the land the wind turbines are on get royalties for the production of electricity.
Posted by ropers40 on May 31, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The schools having problems with broken down building and the such is nothing more than a lack of up-keep by the district.
The problems with dwendling enrollment in AISD falls more to the Abilene city council than anyone else. The pandering to Wylie that has taken place over the past twenty years has helped cause the drop in enrollment.
The city needs to start rebuilding Abilene and stop thinking Wylie is Abilene. With all the new industry coming to Northwest Abilene the Winters Freewway Corridor as I call it needs to be redeveloped on he North side of town.
If you look North 10th runs smack dab into the five points area. North and South First streets are startig to fall into disrepair, and this is a major throughfare into Abilene from I20.
City Council build Abilene not Wylie.
Posted by dolphin_79605 on May 31, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm very pleased with the prospects of a good number of jobs coming to the Abilene area and families that will be supported.
I'd like to encourage the DCOA and City Fathers to continue looking to the future of our community.
Educational prospects of a full 4 year State University in Abilene are exciting too. So is the prospect of the new lake on the Brazos River.
Both ventures will benefit all of the Big Country Area residents with jobs, commerce, affordable education and quality water for untold years into the future.
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