Progressive on Purpose: A Blog About Levelland Texas

Levelland’s Radio Station KLVT Gets New Format

Dave Quinn — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:33:00 GMT

Two High Plains Radio Network affiliates, KLVT in Levelland and KZZN in Littlefield change formats this week to a 24-hour Country music format and the Levelland EDC was there to help cut the ribbon on the new format. Both stations will continue to offer news and sports reports including live coverage of both regional high school sports and South Plains College sports.

KLVT made the move to “Today’s Best Country” to attract a broad demographic of 25 to 54 year old listeners which is important to a wide variety of advertisers. Today’s Best Country is constantly evolving to stay as fresh as today’s Country music and has loyal fans across the United States. Today’s Best Country is very successful as a stand-alone format but HPRN will complement and mix it with local day programs and local sports coverage.

The Audience

Today’s Best Country features primarily today’s fresh new country music. Weekly national research keeps them playing the hottest Country songs, adding to the mix a light rotation of the biggest hits from the past ten years. The format targets 25 to 54 year old listeners, hitting a core audience of 25 to 44 Females.

The personalities on Today’s Best Country not only provide listeners with the latest artist information but relate to listeners’ lifestyles. “Family friendly” personalities make Today’s Best Country a radio station that the whole family can listen to.

The Artists

Rascal Flatts Tim McGraw

Carrie Underwood Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney Brad Paisley

Keith Urban Sugarland

Montgomery Gentry George Strait

Brooks & Dunn Garth Brooks

Toby Keith Dierks Bentley

TaylorSwift Alan Jackson

Levelland's building permits and sales tax rebates signal progress

Dave Quinn — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:11:00 GMT

Lead by permits issued for roofing jobs building activity in Levelland continues the rise in construction activity. 200 plus roofing permits were issued in our community last month worth a total of $1,660,828. For the year, the City of Levelland has issued building permits worth a total of $6,745,108.

Put this news together with a 24.85% increase in sales tax payments over the same time period last year and you have solid indicators that progress continues to march on in Levelland. Increase in oil and gas operations in the region help fuel the sales tax growth in Levelland. Several large oilfield service companies are expanding their operations in Levelland and ramping up to meet regional demand for services.

South Plains College continues work on two multi-million dollar construction projects including new dorms and the rehabilitation of a shopping center along Clubview Drive. Progress also continues on the Mallet Event Center and Arena located along US Hwy 385 across from the Levelland Municipal Airport where new box hangers are nearing completion. It seems that everywhere you turn someone is building something. All of this progress means opportunity.

Here is a small glimpse of the progress being made in Levelland:

Two Levelland Companies are Crossing State Lines

Dave Quinn — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:30:00 GMT

For Levelland, Texas-based Renegade Services and North Basin Coating Inc., business isn’t bound by county or state borders. Though both oil-related companies are headquartered on the northern side of the energy-rich Permian Basin, they operate on a much broader level. Renegade Services has locations as far north as Pennsylvania, and North Basin Coating serves clients spanning from California to New York and from Wyoming to the tip of Texas.

“If you look on a map of the oil and gas facilities across the United States, you’ll see that we’re within a day’s drive of 80 percent of the industry’s wells and refineries. This central location enables businesses to operate on a national level,” says Dave Quinn, executive director of Levelland Economic Development Corporation. “We can serve as a hub and launching pad for companies to expand their reaches, which is what Renegade and North Basin have done.”

Fast Track to Success

In November 2009, Renegade Services, a cased-hole wireline company that provides logging and perforating services for oil and gas wells, secured its first job. It had one refurbished and two new wireline trucks, which owners used to initiate operations. Today, it employs 85 people, operates 23 trucks, and has five bases located in its home state, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. In addition, the company is expanding to the Houston area and possibly to Mississippi.

Matt Gray, president of Renegade Services, founded the company with his business partner Randy Cassady and his father, Steve Gray. Prior to investing in the business, Steve owned a similar company, Gray Wireline, which he grew from a one-truck enterprise to a 50-truck operation before selling the company in 2006.

Although hardworking owners and industry experience play major roles in Renegade Services’ accomplishments, Matt attributes its success to the employees. “We have really good people working for us; that’s the heart and soul of Renegade. They make the company grow,” Gray says. “We also pride ourselves in having and using really nice equipment. The employees here take really good care of our equipment, and they do a really good job in the field.”

Gray and his partners plan to build on their success to have a 100-truck operation within the next three or four years. “Fortunately, we can cover a vast area out of this district and use it as a hub to serve growing districts,” Gray says. “We used Levelland to cover some of the work in Woodward, Oklahoma, when that location was growing, and we’re using it to cover Andrews, Texas, as it grows. Right now, we’re running about seven districts out of here.”

The company’s rapid growth and success haven’t gone unnoticed. In recognition of its investment in capital and its employment gains over the past year, Renegade Services won the Small Business Development Award from Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Workforce Commission in 2010. “Renegade is the type of business that’s making a difference in our community, and the award acknowledges that,” Quinn says.

Nationwide Service

Like Renegade Services, North Basin Coating, a company that custom coats pipe interiors and exteriors with powder coating, has been able to achieve national success from its West Texas locale. Although the vast majority of the company’s work is for the oilfield, it also serves other industries like manufacturing and wastewater.

“The company was founded here because Levelland was going to be a central location,” says Rodney Blocker, vice president and general manager of North Basin Coating. “We’re in the north end of one of the biggest oilfields in the country—the Permian Basin. From here, we cover a large area. It’s beneficial being in the middle of everything. Most of the industry technology comes from this area, so being here lends us some credibility.”

When the company’s three founders started North Basin Coating in 1982, they were the only employees. Today, it has 35 employees, including an on-staff coating inspector who is certified by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE International) to ensure quality work.

Despite recent years’ hard hit on the oil industry, North Basin Coating’s revenue is seven times higher than it was in 2000. And in 2005, the company supplemented its 40,000-square-foot facility in Levelland with an additional 32,000-square-foot coating plant in Odessa. From the two locations, North Basin serves clients throughout the country. “Even though we’ve grown as much as we have, our desire is to continue to grow and possibly expand facilities to the Houston area,” Blocker says.

He attributes North Basin Coating’s accomplishments to its customer service. “We aren’t just a coating company; we’re problem solvers. We find the best, most cost-effective solutions for our customers,” Blocker says. “Our quality, service, and turnaround time set us apart from competitors. We work hard and work smart, and we educate our customers about what we do.” As North Basin Coating and Renegade Services have expanded, so have other area businesses. “Within the oilfield, even with competing companies, it’s a gentlemen’s competition; it’s not cutthroat. Companies don’t slam each other to try to get business,” Quinn says. “There’s a strong knowledge base here that’s allowed these companies to ask each other questions and really support each other.”

Gray concurs: “It’s a really tight industry here. Everyone knows everyone. We get help from some of our competitors, and we help out our competitors. We have a lot of friends in the industry.” In the end, the area’s bustling business climate aids all who are involved. “You’re not as detached as you would be in a larger city. It’s busy and growing here, but we all work well together and complement one another,” Blocker concludes.

Want to know how Levelland EDC can help your company grow? Sign up to win a free ipad and tell us what your business needs are at www.GoLevelland.com/ipad

Lubbock Company Makes Investment in Levelland

Dave Quinn — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:05:00 GMT

The Levelland Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Hospice Interim Healthcare Levelland on April 12, 2011. Levelland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and community businessmen and women gathered at their new office located at 707 College Ave in Levelland Texas to celebrate the grand opening for the hospice provider.

Managed by Elena Young, the Levelland operation is a branch of Interim HealthCare of Lubbock which opened its doors in Jan 2010 and has 12 employees. This is yet another example of a Lubbock business seeing opportunity in Levelland and investing in our community.

Interim HealthCare of Lubbock has been providing home healthcare and supplemental staffing services in Lubbock and the surrounding area since 1989. A franchise of Interim HealthCare, Inc. of Sunrise, Florida, Interim HealthCare of Lubbock is locally owned and operated.

For more information on Hospice Interim Healthcare of Levelland contact Elena Young at 806.894.1485

Covenant Levelland Welcomes New Doctor to the Family

Dave Quinn — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:00:00 GMT

A welcome reception for Dr. Daniel Hadzic, at Covenant Family Medicine Clinic East was held on Wednesday afternoon in Levelland. Community representatives gathered at the clinic located in the Levelland Medical District at 116 E. John Dupree Drive, yesterday at 3:30 p.m. to welcome him to the community.

Cookies, punch and balloons welcomed those who came out to show their appreciation to Dr. Hadzic for choosing to locate his new practice in Levelland. Kathy McDonald, Covenant Levelland Marketing Director, introduced Dr. Hadzic and thanked him for choosing to make Covenant Levelland his new home.

Dr. Hadzic, staff and Levelland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors then cut the ribbon on the new medical practice. This marks yet another expansion of the medical community in Levelland.

With a strong patient base in Lubbock Texas, just 30 miles to the east, and patients coming from as far as way as Portales, Hobbs and Clovis NM, Dr. Hadzic is definitely contributing to economic development in Levelland.

You can find out more about Covenant Levelland by visiting them on the web at http://www.covenanthospitallevelland.com or connect with them on thier Facebook fan page at http://Facebook.com/CovenantLevelland

Family Medicine of Levelland

Specialties: We specialize in preventative and general healthcare services, and we also serve patients in the Sundown area at Family Medicine of Sundown.

Services: FAA flight physicals, employment physicals, sports physicals, immunizations, GYN services, Texas Health Steps well checks, pediatric services

Address: 116A John Dupree Dr., Levelland

Phone: (806) 894-7900

Hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m. –12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. –5 p.m.; Walk-ins welcome

Flexible appointments, including same-day appointments with a friendly and caring staff

Most insurance accepted and filed

Visa and Mastercard accepted

Levelland Leverages State and Federal Funds for Airport Improvements

Dave Quinn — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:05:00 GMT

Lansford Company, Inc, contractor for the Levelland Municipal Airport (KLLN) expansion project, has broken ground on the initial phase of a new building development which will expand existing mechanic’s hanger space by 5,180 square feet to accommodate a new airport mechanic business. Richard Harvey, president of HSI Turbines Inc recently signed a 10 year lease with the Levelland Municipal Airport to provide airplane mechanic services.

HSI Turbines, which specializes in agricultural aircraft maintenance, general aviation inspection and maintenance, PT6A & TPE 331 turbo prop maintenance, as well as, prop balancing will provide their services to various aircrafts throughout the region resulting in increased air traffic to Levelland.

Phase 2 of the airport expansion project calls for the construction of four new box hangars at the Municipal Airport located just 30 miles west of Lubbock Texas giving the airport the ability to accommodate larger aircrafts.

Dan Kubal, president of Levelland Aero Service, Levelland Muni’s Fixed Based Operator, currently reports a waiting list for lease of the larger hangers.

A pre-construction meeting was held with the Design/Builder, Lampasas, TX based Lansford Company, Inc. on February 14, 2011. Lansford worked closely with Larry Valdez, Corporate Associate at Parkhill, Smith & Cooper to create a building plan that maximizes the available resources for the project.

Using local, state and federal funding, the total project costs will be $752,188.87. In March of 2010 the City of Levelland and Hockley County were awarded $500,000 in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) National Program Entitlement Grant funds, as well as, another $30,000 in TxDOT RAMP Program grant funds in February of 2011. The City and County then budgeted $222,188.87 for the remaining project cost. The expansion of the existing mechanic’s hangar is expected to be completed in May of 2011 while the remainder of the project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2011.

Jointly owned by the City of Levelland and Hockley County, the Levelland airport located on Highway 385 just south of town, Levelland Municipal Airport boasts one of the best runways and supporting facilities of a General Aviation airport for a city of its size in Texas. With a first class runway over 6,000 feet long, almost any aircraft short of a commercial air carrier can easily be accommodated. The airport offers fuel sales, hangers and tie-downs for parking and major airframe and powerplant service. For detailed FAA information on the Levelland Municipal Airport visit Airnav.com.

Special thanks to Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services for the City of Levelland, for providing information on this airport project.

Entrepreneurs in Action: The making of a fertile business environment

Dave Quinn — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:20:00 GMT

“What in the H–E-double hockey sticks does a story about a restaurant owner have to do with industrial development in Levelland Texas?”

That was a question recently asked of me concerning a recent story published in the Levelland News Press on Wednesday February 23, 2011 titled, “Noemi builds business on experience”. The story was written by Lindsay Byrd, a senior from Sam Houston State University during her internship in Levelland last summer as part of the Rural Internship Program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Some may have taken offense at this question, or the manner in which it was asked, but to me it made total sense and sparked the thought that others probably are wondering the same thing. So, after explaining my thoughts behind the Entrepreneurs in Action series to the person who asked the question I sat down and wrote this blog post to share with others so they could benefit from the exchange.

So, what does a story about a restaurant owner have to do with successfully selling or creating industrial development? A lot, actually and if you continue to read you will see that industrial development is a small, all be it a very important, part of rural economic development.

Agriculture being one of Levelland’s founding industries I will use farming as a way to explain how showcasing business owners can help create industrial development.

I want you to imagine a farmer who takes over a new piece of property and wants to plant cotton. Before he ever gets to the point of planting cotton seeds he must work hard to prepare the soil and create the conditions that will ensure the best possible results. He must invest resources that will yield the greatest opportunity to fully mature the seeds into plants that will eventually produce the beautiful white fiber for harvesting.

The same is true for economic development. The community is the land upon which the seeds of economic prosperity are sown. To ensure these capital investments yield the best possible return a fertile business climate must be created. The Entrepreneurs in Action series is a way for the Levelland Economic Development Corporation to create this fertile soil. Not by creating the soil, but by working it to prepare future plantings. By turning over and revealing the nutrient rich stories that exist just below the surface the Levellnd EDC is giving hope to other would be entrepreneurs that are looking for a place to start and build their business. The stories are not about the businesses themselves. They are about the entrepreneur. Through our efforts we are showing that it doesn’t matter if you are a caterer, an oil field chemical company, a restaurant owner or an industrial electrical contractor you can succeed in Levelland. One thing that is analogous in all of these stories is the amount of hard work it takes to be successful and how being in Levelland has somehow made that burden just a little easier.

Our message is this, if you are going to spend a life building a business its best to do it in a community that both recognizes and rewards your efforts. Levelland is that kind of place. Noemi’s story is the third in a series of 12 that will be published throughout the year.

As a community it is essential to support entrepreneurship and cultivate a pro business attitude that attracts future business investment both commercial and industrial. The Rural Policy Research Institute states that “The structure of rural economies is essentially composed of small enterprises, which are responsible for most of the job growth and the innovation. Moreover, small businesses represent an appropriate scale of activity for most rural economies.”

Economic Development in rural communities is not just about industrial growth especially in Texas, where our funds for industrial development are derived from sales tax. It’s a lot like a mosaic. If you try and focus on a just single segment you end up with an indistinguishable image. It’s not until you step back and see all the pieces that you are able comprehend the beauty created by each individual piece. The rural economic developer is tasked with selecting and placing individual pieces together that will eventually create the magnificent image that is economic growth and prosperity.

To get back to the question at hand: Before you can plant you have to cultivate. Entrepreneurs in Action is Levelland EDC’s way of cultivating the landscape for future development. I hope that you now understand and will share with others who ask the question, "Why would the Levelland EDC be concerned with showcasing local entrepreneurs?"

Please share your thoughts by commenting here on our blog or visiting our Facebook fan page at Facebook.com/LevellandTexas and posting your thoughts. Also, if you know of an entrepreneur that should be spot lighted, please let us know.

If you would like to read previous Entrepreneurs in Action stories visit GoLevelland.com/EIA.

Credit Union in Levelland Breaks Ground on New Office Building

Dave Quinn — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:19:00 GMT

The Levelland based Hockley County School Employees Credit Union (HCSECU) broke ground on a new 4100 square foot office building today at 504 Clubview Drive.

Russell Vest, CEO welcomed guest and thanked the Levelland Chamber of Commerce for putting the ground breaking together.

Established in 1954, the HCSECU, serves all employees of Hockley County school districts as well as South Plains College. This is their 3^rd location and expansion since opening. The board of directors and members of the public were present to honor the occasion.

Edge Concepts out of Lubbock Texas was hired to oversee the construction of the new office building. Roger Billingsley, President thanked HCSECU for entrusting Edge Concepts with this project. He said the construction should take 3-4 months to complete.

This is the second major new construction project on Clubview Drive in less than a year. Stueart’s PitStop opened its door in July of 2010 and was the first new construction on the street in over two decades. The following video is from the ceremony. You can also read more about the HSSECU’s new building by visiting Levelland News-Press online at www.levellandnews.net

Thanks to Russell Vest and the Hockley County School Employee Credit Union Board of Directors for investing in Levelland and congratulations on your progress. We look forward to seeing your beautiful new building.

2010 Census Shows Growth for Levelland and Hockley County

Dave Quinn — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:04:00 GMT

Today’s blog post is being posted a little later than normal because the 2010 Census numbers for Texas were released today at 2:00 p.m..

An early review shows Levelland achieved a 5% increase over the 2000 census and almost 8% increase over 2009 projections. Erik Renjino, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Levelland and a dedicated 2010 Census volunteer committee worked tirelessly to insure the count went well in Levelland and Hockley County and the numbers are proof in the pudding that their work paid dividends. Levelland and Hockley County are both growing.

Hockley County also saw a 1% increase over 2000 census and 2.8% over the 2009 Census estimates. While we didn’t quite keep up with the growth of Lubbock, our neighbor to the east, Levelland was able to buck the trend for rural communities across the state by showing growth.

2000-2010 Census Comparison Chart
	Levelland	Hockley County	Lubbock (City)
2000	12,866	22,716	199,564
2009 est	12,465	22,272	226000
2010	13,542	22,935	229,573
2000-2010 Percent Increase	5%	1%	13%

“We really felt like we were growing and that the 2009 Estimates the Census Bureau released last year were not an accurate reflection of Levelland’s current population. This confirms what we have been telling potential retail developers,“ says Erik Rejino.

Erik also gives credit to the count committee saying, “While there are many reasons for the success of the 2010 Census count, special thanks has to go out to the Levelland/Hockley County Census Complete Count Committee. This group of community leaders in Levelland and Hockley County formed approximately one year before the 2010 Census Count. Their time and effort in promoting the 2010 Census lead to more individuals being counted which in turn contributed to a successful 2010 Census. It is people like this that have lead to the progressive growth of Levelland and Hockley County.”

This information, coupled with the news that South Plains College went over 10,000 students for the spring semester for the first time in its 50+ year history, creates a positive outlook for Levelland. This is grand news for city leaders who are hoping to see an increase in retail development based on population growth, activity in the Mallet Event Center & Arena currently under construction and the investments being made by South Plains College in new dorm rooms and their Allied Health Department.

More detailed information will be accessible on http://factfinder2.census.gov by Friday afternoon., until then Levelland residents can rest assured that today’s numbers confirm things are getting better every day. Opportunity is knocking and it’s time to answer the door.

High Ground of Texas travels to 2011 World Ag Expo

Dave Quinn — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:30:00 GMT

The High Ground of Texas will be sending a team of over 100 community members and regional Tailgate Party Sponsors to the 2011 World Ag Expo on February 8-10, 2011. Contacts made from this show will continue to add to the successful recruitment and expansion of the agriculture industry into the West Texas region.

The High Ground continues more than a decade of marketing efforts at the 2011 World Ag Expo by

Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples and Buzz David, CEO, Amarillo EDC

participating in show activities promoting economic opportunities in West Texas and in support of Agriculture in the Global economy.

The World Ag Expo is the largest event of its kind in the world and is held each year at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California. Based on the shows current growth and momentum in the agriculture and dairy industry, this internationally recognized event will attract exhibitors and visitors from 50 states and more than 52 foreign countries. There will be over 1,600 exhibitors and over 150,000 attendees at the show. In addition to over 2.6 million square feet of exhibits, the show also offers over 100 seminars on a variety ag-related topics and hosts the Hi-Tech Heritage Complex, The Farm Equipment Museum, and the Agriculture Learning Center.

Various ag-based industries will be targeted during the show. Since 1999, the marketing efforts of the High Ground of Texas at the World Ag Expo has resulted in over $250 million dollars of new investment and hundreds of new jobs in the region.

The High Ground of Texas will also be hosting their famous hospitality event, the “9th Annual High Ground of Texas Tailgate Party” to be held on Wednesday, February 9th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the VIP tent on the show grounds. This highly successful annual Tailgate Party serves over 600 VIP clients each year resulting in over numerous annual visits to the region regarding business opportunities. Inquiries from prospective new clients have also been made following the event by numerous ag-related businesses soliciting information about possible expansion projects. The High Ground will also be sponsoring their “Ribs & Tunes at the RV” event on Tuesday, February 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for prospects, sponsors, vendors and regional allies.

Back by popular demand, the entertainment for the events will be provided by the “Texas Crossroads Band” from Shamrock, Texas. The catering will be provided by Lynn Allen of Stratford and the High Ground Cooking Crew.

Major Sponsors for the 2010 Texas Tailgate Party included Capital Farm Credit, Enviro-Ag Engineering, Hilmar Cheese Company, DairyMax, Western Builders, Lone Star Milk, Inc., and Dairy Farmers of America. Brown, Graham & Company sponsored the entertainment, Dumas EDC served as the Refreshment Sponsor and DeLaval, Inc. sponsored the catering. Seventy-five additional Regional Partners continue to help host and sponsor this exciting marketing event. The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation is, once again, generously sponsoring the High Ground Hospitality RV to be located in the parking lot of the World Ag Expo for the pleasure of all prospects, regional producers, sponsors and guests of the High Ground.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 World Ag Expo events are now available and open to all interested companies involved in agri-business in the High Ground of Texas region. High Ground Representatives from Perryton, Dalhart, Stratford, Tulia, Friona, Dumas, Muleshoe, Pampa, Borger, Spearman, Amarillo, Brownfield, Plainview, Lubbock and Shamrock have made plans to attend the 2011 World Ag Expo. Representatives from the Texas Panhandle Regional Development Corporation, Swisher County Electric Cooperative and Xcel Energy will be joining the High Ground Team.


High Ground of Texas at the World Ag Expo

The High Ground of Texas is a regional economic development marketing coalition that represents the northern 66 counties in West Texas. The High Ground targets several industries in their annual diversified marketing plan including manufacturing, distribution, food processing, alternative & renewable energy, plastics & packaging, petroleum, corporate headquarters, value-added agriculture, fabricating, bio-technology, and more. The High Ground coordinates various marketing events for the region, including trade shows, recruiting trips, direct mail projects, advertising, industry events, hospitality events, and web based marketing projects. All community High Ground Members receive the prospect leads generated in these marketing activities.

For more information about the 2011 World Ag Expo marketing initiatives or sponsorship opportunities, contact the High Ground of Texas office at (806)366-7510, higround@xit.net, or at www.highground.org. For more information on the World Ag Expo….go to www.worldagexpo.com.

A Quick look at Progress Taking Place in Levelland Texas

Dave Quinn — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 07:30:00 GMT

Levelland continues to benefit from public infrastructure investments being made by South Plains College and Hockley County. Three major investments are underway and already having a positive impact on the local Levelland Economy.

New dorms being built on the SPC Campus, expansion of SPC’s Allied Health programs and the remodeling of Gentry Square shopping center and Hockley County’s Mallet Event Center and Arena just south of Levelland on US Hwy 385.

The video below is a quick glance of the progress being made on these projects and the impact they are already having on our local economy. It’s not the best produced video ever, but it is an honest look at Life in Levelland and the opportunity being created every day.

The Power is On: Alstom Power Celebrates Research Initiative

Dave Quinn — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:30:00 GMT

Last week Todd Reno, Director of Business Development at Reese Technology Center sent this news release over. I am honored to include it as this week's blog post. Reese Technology Center is just 20 minues from Levelland and will play a major role in the developing renewable energy sector here on the South Plains.

The Power is On

Alstom Power Inc. celebrated its research initiatives with Texas Tech University and its entrance into the United States thanks to a partnership with Reese Technology Center (RTC) and the National Institute for Renewable Energy (NIRE). Alstom recently finished the construction of a 1.67 Megawatt turbine on the Reese campus and is generating power for South Plains Electric Cooperative.

The organizations invited the public to a celebration on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. Alstom, NIRE and RTC representatives spoke to the media at the Texas Tech Wind Science & Engineering Research Center Building #250 at the Reese Technology Center. A group of local dignitaries joined Alstom, NIRE, and RTC officials for lunch and a brief ceremony.

“Lubbock and West Texas are centered on wind and cotton,” said Bill Miller, executive director of RTC. “Reese is a great place for public and private enterprise as well as research centered upon these industries to come together.”

Alstom Power Inc. is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain with offices in Richmond, Virginia and is a global leader in power generation with a diverse focus in several energy sectors.

NIRE is an independent public-private collaboration that works to solve key scientific and technology challenges facing the wind power industry.

Interviews and video/photograph opportunities are available. For more information please contact Todd Reno, Reese Technology Center (806) 885-6592.

Rail: Answers for the 21st Century by Ed Hamberger

Dave Quinn — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:30:00 GMT

The following is a guest post by Edward R. Hamberger, President and CEO of the Assoication of American Railroads. I would like to thank Mr. Hamberger and Lauren Sandberg for partnering with the Levelland Economic Develoment Corp (LEDC) to share this invaluable information concerning rail in the 21st Century. It shows Levelland's investment in rail in the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park is on the right track.

Rail: Answers for the 21^st Century

It’s one of America’s oldest industries. And one of its most modern.

It helped build this nation by opening up vast interior regions to settlement, agriculture and manufacturing.

Then it underwent a long period when its future was in doubt, as government policies favored its competitors.

And now it stands poised to enter a new era of growth as America’s policy makers increasingly realize that this industry holds the key to a growing economy as well as an ability to reduce pollution and energy consumption.

This is railroading in the 21^st Century.

The history of America’s railroads is one of achievement. Prior to the railroad, settlement was largely limited to areas along the east coast and along navigable waterways. But the railroad changed all that, opening vast interior lands to settlement, agriculture and manufacturing by providing inexpensive and efficient transportation over long distances.

But as other modes of transportation developed in the early to mid-twentieth century, railroads entered a long period of decline, especially in the years after World War II when the government provided generous subsidies to highways and aviation while at the same time an antiquated regulatory system prevented railroads from responding to market forces. By the end of the 1970s, more than 20 percent of railroads were bankrupt.

President Jimmy Carter

In a last ditch attempt to save the private rail network, in 1980 Congress passed and President Jimmy Carter signed the Staggers Rail Act which introduced a balanced regulatory system that permitted railroads to rely more on market forces. The results have been impressive.

Today, America’s freight rail system provides the world’s most efficient, cost-effective freight rail service. It is vital to the economic health of the American economy and keeps U.S. companies competitive in world markets by moving freight at rates that average less than half that of other major world rail systems. It is also the safest, most environmentally friendly and energy efficient mode of surface transportation, providing in excess of 40 percent of the nation’s freight transportation, more than any other mode.

Railroads accomplished these achievements both by working individually and by working collectively, especially through the Association of American Railroads (AAR), North America’s largest railway trade association.

The AAR was founded in 1934 at the behest of President Franklin Roosevelt who believed that a unified rail system could help promote economic progress that would end the Great Depression.

Today, the AAR is recognized around the world for its efforts to improve the efficiency and safety of freight railroads. Helping keep the industry on the cutting edge of information technology is a wholly-owned subsidiary, Railinc of Cary, N.C. Another wholly-owned AAR subsidiary, the Transportation Technology Center, Inc., of Pueblo, Colo., is generally regarded as the most advanced freight rail research and testing facility in the world. The efforts of these two subsidiaries have helped railroads almost triple productivity since 1980 and reduce fuel consumption by half.

AAR members include most of the major freight railroads in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak, some commuter railroads and numerous shortline freight railroads. In addition, almost 100 railroad suppliers are associate members.

The strong foundation established over the past 30 years is especially important today as railroads are being called upon to do even more. One piece of legislation proposed in Congress sets a national goal of diverting 10 percent of all highway freight to the rails. At the same time, railroads are also being asked to open their networks to more and faster passenger trains.

It’s easy to see why policy makers like rail. It’s fuel efficient; it’s environmentally sound; and it’s economical.

Last year, freight trains moved a ton of freight an average of 480 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel, almost four times as far as it could move on the highway. If just 10 percent of the long distance freight moving be highway went instead by train, the nation could save over one billion gallons of fuel annually.

Rail is also good for the environment. Moving a ton of freight by rail reduces greenhouse gases by two-thirds in comparison with moving it by highway. A third benefit comes from reducing highway congestion. A single intermodal train can carry the equivalent of 280 trucks over long distances.

But one critical fact about today’s railroads is largely unknown: unlike all other modes of transportation, railroads operate over infrastructure that they build and maintain with virtually no taxpayer help. Since 1980, railroads have invested more than $460 billion – more than 40 cents out of every revenue dollar – of their own private capital to maintain, renew, and expand the nation’s rail network infrastructure that serves both passenger and freight rail traffic.

Before the economic slowdown began in 2008, the rail network was facing congestion and the need to increase capacity to handle an expected doubling of volume over 25 years. Add to that the new call by the Obama Administration for increased commuter and high-speed rail passenger service, much of which will have to run over freight rail lines, and it becomes obvious that 21^st century transportation needs will rely heavily on freight rail’s ability to meet America’s expectations.

With railroads being called upon to do more, it becomes even more critical that railroads continue to be able to attract the capital needed to build and sustain the nation’s rail network infrastructure. One bi-partisan measure proposed in both the House and Senate would provide a 25 percent tax incentive for any investment made to increase freight rail capacity. That incentive would be available to any entity – railroad, rail customer or local community – that makes an investment to increase rail capacity. For example, a trucking company might invest in an intermodal terminal or a rail customer might invest in a rail spur to their facility in order to connect to the national freight network.

Because of the substantial and easily quantifiable public benefits, there also exists a compelling case for public-private partnerships that include freight rail expansion.

A prime example of this is the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) project in Chicago aimed at: reducing greenhouse gases and lowering wait time at grade crossings; improving emergency response times; adding passenger capacity and improving passenger reliability, and improving overall surface mobility in the region.

Our nation’s history shows that efficient transportation brings with it long-term economic prosperity. Investment in railroad infrastructure is one of the best investments our nation can make.

America’s railroads stand ready, willing and able to help the nation achieve its 21^st Century priorities. Today, railroads are a shining American success story – a great example of success that can result when the right balance is struck between government regulation and private innovation.

Ed Hamberger

Edward Hamberger serves as President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads. Prior to joining the AAR, he was a managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell. Mr. Hamberger began his career in transportation in 1977 as General Counsel of the National Transportation Policy Study Commission. He has served on the Private Sector Advisory Panel on Infrastructure Financing and on the Presidential Commission on Intermodal Transportation. He received his JD, and both Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, from Georgetown University.

This piece was first published in Trade and Industry Development Magazine on November 15, 2010.

Levelland Texas Offers Small Business Owners Opportunities in 2011

Dave Quinn — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:20:00 GMT

SPC's New Dorm Construction in Levelland Texas

While the national economy begins to show signs of recovery, Levelland has continued to shine through the economic recession that gripped the world. Our resolve as a community to invest millions in public infrastructure projects in 2010 including the Levelland Industrial Rail Park ($8.6 mil), Mallet Event Center & Arena ($15 mil), Capital Elementary remodel ($1.5 mil),

new college dorm rooms ($6 mil) and a new Center for Allied Health Education ($3 mil) at South Plains College has positioned Levelland’s businesses for opportunities in the coming year. In addition to these projects already under way the City of Levelland just announced the purchase of 177 acres from Post Montgomery to make way for a new multi-million dollar sports complex along the west edge of community.

As a state, Texas is the best in the nation for doing business and as Texas’ business climate continues to garner national and international attention, Levelland is poised, better than ever, to leverage our public investments into private business investment and growth. Offering small business owners an oasis for future growth and prosperity, Levelland has a reasonable tax and regulatory structure, solid incentive programs at both the state

State Incentives

Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) – The largest “deal-closing fund” of its kind, the Texas Enterprise Fund can be used for a variety of economic development projects, including infrastructure development, community development, job training programs and business incentives.

Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) – The Emerging Technology Fund was created in 2005. The fund is guided by a 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts who review potential projects and recommend funding to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House.

Skills Development Fund - The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers the Skills Development Fund program, which provides state funds to directly respond to the workforce needs of Texas employers. TWC has $90 million in Skills Development Funds to support high quality, customized job training projects across the state.

and local level and an ability to provide a capable workforce for the future through partnerships with South Plains College and WorkForce Solutions South Plains.

Additionally, Levelland’s close proximity to a world-class university system in Texas Tech including the Wind Science & Engineering Research Center and the Institute of Environmental & Human Health/Non-woven Cotton Research located at the Reese Technology Center, just 20 minutes to the east of Levelland, gives small business owners yet another strategic asset to leverage for future growth and success.

With shovel ready sites situated in an enterprise zone the Levelland Economic Development Corporation sees the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park as the key to developing a diversified local economy. By paring this new rail infrastructure with the local skilled workforce and integrating ourselves into the wind energy logistic supply chain, Levelland can take advantage of the expanding renewable energy industry exploding throughout the region. Levelland also offers opportunities to California businesses considering relocation or expansion by helping reduce the normal stress related with such capital intensive projects. Our exceptional economic environment, warm weather, famous hospitality and affordable cost of living make Levelland an ideal choice for businesses looking to make a move. Texas Governor Rick Perry says, “Texas Wide Open for Business” and Levelland is a great place to enter the Lone Star State.

2011 is going to be a great year for Levelland and it is important as a community we remember to keep our eye on the goal and focus on making decisions that will allow Levelland and Hockley County to be successful, not only in 2011, but for the decades that follow. It will take hard work, faith and a little luck but Levelland has proven to be up for the challenge time and time again. Good bye 2010 and Hello 2011.

If you are interested in making Levelland your new home or you would like to know how the Levelland EDC can help your business please contact us today by calling Dave Quinn, Executive Director, at 806.470.7778 and follow us on Twitter.com/LevellandEDC as we set the stage for progress in 2011.

Texas Looking Strong in 1st Round of 2010 Census Data

Dave Quinn — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:30:00 GMT

The following is a guest blog post by Erik Rejino, Director of Administrative Services. Erik coordinated the 2010 Census effort here in Levelland. He also worked with others from around the region and from Lubbock to raise awareness about the 2010 Census and its importance to West Texas. Merry Christmas from the family here in Levelland and may you have a Happy and Prospurose New Year.

Texas Looking Strong in 1^st Round of

2010 Census Data

The first round of 2010 Census Data were delivered to President Barack Obama on the morning of Tuesday December 21, 2010. These numbers included the total population for the United States as a whole and the individual states. The apportionment counts were also delivered to the President. The city and county figures will begin to come out on a rolling basis in February of 2011 and will wrap up by March 31, 2011.

The U.S. grew approximately 9.7 percent over the decade from 281,421,906 in the year 2000 to 308,745,538 in 2010. Texas grew by approximately 21 percent from 20,851,820 in the year 2000 to 25,145,561 in 2010. This was the largest gain numerically when compared to other states. Texas remains the second most populated state in the United States, only behind California who experienced a growth of 10 percent for a total of 37,253,956. Another very important point is that Texas gained 4 congressional seats which gives the state 36 seats on the U.S. House of Representatives and a total of 38 votes on the electoral college.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the bulk of the population increase was picked up by the Southern and Western United States with a gain of 14,318,924 for the South and a gain of 8,747,621 for the West. However, the Northeast and Midwest also grew with the Northeast gaining 1,722,862 and the Midwest gaining 2,534,225.

This is merely a taste of what is to come in February and March of 2011. The city and county population and demographic figures will come out during this time period. For more information on the 1^st round of 2010 Census Data please go to http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/.

American Dream Alive and Well in Levelland Texas

Dave Quinn — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 19:30:00 GMT

Electric Company's New Warehouse and Training Facility Expands Opportunities in Levelland, Texas

The epitome of the American dream, David Duffee founded Levelland, Texas-based Independent Electric out of the back of his pickup truck. For inventory storage, he stacked boxes of electrical parts in his mobile home. Fourteen years later in late 2010, Duffee completed a 25,000-square-foot facility to house the thriving company's offices, warehouse, and training space to institute local trade courses. Located in Levelland's new industrial rail park, the city's hotspot for development, Duffee is on track to continue his company's success and give back to the community that's been integral in establishing his business.

Building Independent Electric

Duffee entered the electrical industry in 1976 as a 16-year-old apprentice in Dallas. Fueled by a love for working with his hands, he was an auto mechanic for several years before moving to Levelland and securing a job as an electrician.

Spurred by a strong construction industry and lagging oilfield, in 1994, Duffee founded Independent Electric, a company that provides electrical services for commercial and institutional buildings, including restaurants, motels, schools, and hospitals. "I always had a strong drive. Even when I worked for someone else, I took pride and ownership in my work,"Duffee says. "I always knew that one day I wanted to start my own business, so my success could be limitless."

What started as a company of one now has 18 employees, including Duffee's wife, Janet, who came on board four years after he founded the company. A Master Electrician, she splits her time between office management and fieldwork.

When Duffee secured his first architectural contract for $13,000 of electrical work, he was elated. "It felt like $13 million," he says. Now, Independent Electric is regularly completing multiple jobs that range from $1 to $2 million, and he works for clients, including McDonald's, Harley Davidson, and Levelland's new Mallet Event Center, across a 300-mile radius around Levelland.

A humble man, Duffeeis quick to give credit to those who lifted him along the way. "Everybody was really helpful when I started. Levelland has such good people. It's like a big family here," he says. "I tried to give them all my best work, and it paid off."

Expanding Facilities

Capitalizing on the company's success, in December 2009, Independent Electric broke ground on the $800,000 state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility at Levelland's $8.6 million, 300-acre industrial rail park.

The Duffees contributed a private capital investment of approximately $750,000, and LevellandEconomic Development Corporation (LEDC) gave $45,000 toward the new build. "LEDC and their money was the catalyst for the project,"Duffee says. "Without them, we might not have moved forward with the facility. We definitely would have waited, and we wouldn't have built to the scale that we did."

The community's willingness to invest in future growth boosted the Duffees' confidence in their personal outlay to expand the business. "The town knows that sometimes it has to spend a little money to get businesses started, but they know it?'s an investment. LEDC and city officials are pro-business. They want businesses to succeed, and it shows,"Duffee says.

Completed in November 2010, Independent Electric's office, warehouse, and training building includes classrooms, so the Duffees and others can teach the trade. Linda will pioneer the on-site training with Watt2Learn, an electrical course that will fulfill a critical need for current and future electricians in the area.

By offering an alternative to Lubbock schools, located approximately 30 miles east of Levelland, the new training facility allows West Texans better access to learn trades, and it reduces some students' driving time by 50 percent. And while most Lubbock classes are restricted to evenings and require students to work for a contractor, Independent Electric's new facility provides more flexibility. In addition to professional training, the building will hold classes geared toward homeowners, teaching them how to solve small, common electrical problems and how to winterize their homes.

Although Independent Electric will begin with electrical courses, Duffee intends to have professionals teaching safety classes and other trades, like plumbing, as well. "My goal is to have people learning something there every day,"Duffee says. "The building isn't really for us. It's for the community. With the new classroom addition, we'll be able to give back to the people who've helped us the most."

Primed for Success

The facility's railway location will allow Independent Electric easy access to large loads of equipment and will provide a place for the company to store heavy equipment. Duffee is also excited to be in close proximity to the rail park's other businesses. "We have some really good businesses there to work with. It's the place to be right now. When other good businesses are around, it helps us all,"Duffee notes.

"Success breeds success," adds Dave Quinn, executive director of LEDC. "David and Janet Duffeeexemplify the type of success we strive for in Levelland. The business activity they will create in the new rail park will prime the pump for future development. You can't help but be impressed by their facility. They are the kind of neighbors others want to build around."

Because of the Duffees' expansion, Quinn is starting to see a chain reaction. "The investment made by Independent Electric raises the confidence level of other Levelland businesses. These local companies have watched the Duffees' progress and have begun to initiate capital investment projects as well," he says.

"David is a prime example of someone who is successful because he loves what he does. He follows the mantra that givers gain. He understands that hard work is necessary to be successful, yet he finds balance by giving back to the community," Quinn continues.

Duffee adds: "I started with nothing, and it's so rewarding to see what Independent Electric is today. In the end, I hope it just keeps on growing and that everyone, the employees, vendors, and community, benefits from it."

The Duffees' open up their facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday December 17, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at their new location on Industrial Drive.

Levelland Stop Whining, Start Supporting and Grow Our Retail

Dave Quinn — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:30:00 GMT

Let me start by saying that I have nothing against nation chain retailers. In fact I have spent a lot of time and energy trying in vain to attract their attention to the opportunities that exist in Levelland, a rural community of about 13,000 people 30 miles west of Lubbock Texas.

I along with most every other person in town would be extremely excited should Payless Shoe Stores or Rack Room Shoes open up shop in town and perhaps the thing I here most often is, “when is Levelland getting a Chili’s or Applebee’s.”

Having said all of that, I want to encourage people in Levelland and other rural communities some advice. Let’s stop whining about not having major chain restaurants or stores in your community and start supporting our fellow neighbors who own shops and restaurants already in town. The founders of The 3/50 Project (www.the350project.net) say that for every $100 spent in independently owned stores $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that same $100 in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

I realize there are some advantages that come with a national chain such as consistency in both hours of operation and product offerings. However, when faced with the option of expending lots of resources to attract the attention of these major retailers to our community, I think a better option may exist.

By investing some of that time, energy and money into making independently owned stores better we can grow our own retail community. We can start small by following the 3/50 principles, pick 3 independently owned businesses in town we’d miss most if they were gone, spend $50 each month among the businesses and we’ve just helped save your local economy and laid the foundation for future entrepreneurs to expand new retail offerings in town.

Sounds simple really, but this act of supporting our neighbor is what makes West Texas great. We are a land where people come together and rise above challenges. I firmly believe that Levelland is poised for retail growth. The Mallet Event Center will forever change the retail landscape in our community. I hope that as a community we recognize the power we have to take advantage of this opportunity and do not simply wait idly by for a national chain to decide to serve our market.

Go out and create the kind of store or restaurant you would like to see in Levelland. Don’t be afraid to offer suggestions to store owners or restaurant operators. Take ownership of making our community retail offerings better by asking and encouraging local retailers to be better. Take the time to give them feedback that will make them better. Use social networking to engage the owners and spread the word that opportunity is knocking in Levelland.

Encourage children, family members or friends living in the hustle and bustle of a big city to come home to Levelland and become an entrepreneur. If you or someone you know is thinking of starting a business contact the Levelland Economic Development Corporation about resources that exist to help start ups, like the WesTex Allied Communities Enterprise Facilitation project. Let me insert one important note here, there is no free money to start a retail business. We can help with business plans and various other needs and even in some cases suggest ways to finance new businesses, but we are not suggesting we have money to provide retail businesses.

Levelland, it’s time to grow our own and do something in Levelland that is remarkable. Read this blog post Where’s the Baxter? for more on what being remarkable means by Seth Godin

Knock Knock Levelland…Who’s there? Opportunity!

Dave Quinn — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:30:00 GMT

Nearly a century after being founded by the thriving railroad, cotton, and oil industries, our economic roots are stronger than ever. As business booms in Levelland’s primary industries, other areas of our city’s commerce are expanding from the positive effect and opportunity is knocking on the door with both fists.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

We are seeing millions of dollars being invested across both oil and agricultural industries. The

Farmer’s Cooperative Compress, the world’s largest cotton warehouse, is working to complete a $2.5 million expansion of its Levelland plant. Fueled by an incentive package from LEDC, the City of Levelland, and Hockley County, the development includes two 150,000-square-foot cotton warehouses and will increase the city’s job base.

Levelland Industrial Rail Park’s anchor tenant, Tex-Rail Commodities, is also gearing up to build their $2.5 million warehouse and transload facility in the park. The facility will ship unit trains (110 cars) of cottonseed from area producers to points throughout the United States. Each unit train shipped out by rail translates into 440 semi trucks that must travel into Levelland opening the door for future development of a much needed truck stop. In addition to shipping out cottonseed, the facility will have the ability to receive goods via train, like steel pipe for oil field use, and either store or load the products onto trucks for future distribution throughout the region.

Renegade Services was recently awarded a Small Business Development award by Governor Perry and the Texas Workforce Commission for their investment in capital and employment gains this past year. They are just one example of investment being made by locally owned oil production and service companies taking advantage of opportunities in the petroleum industry across the United States.

In addition, locally owned Independent Electric is completing a $750,000 office, warehouse, and electrician training facility at the rail park. Their investment in Levelland is a testament to the bullish future Levelland is facing.

And to round out industrial development opportunities the Levelland EDC recently opened its $8.6 million


New Levelland Industrial Rail Park Open For Business

industrial rail park. Boasting over 21,000 track feet of rail infrastructure the park is well positioned to take advantage of rising freight rail shipments.

EDUCATION EXPANSION

As the city and county spur industrial development and bring additional tax dollars to the area, they also propel the growth of South Plains College, the community’s two-year college.


South Plains College New Residence Hall Opening fall of 2011

The school recently broke ground on a $6 million residence hall. With enrollment at a record-breaking 10,190 students, existing on-campus housing was no longer sufficient. Scheduled for completion in fall 2011, the new two-story hall will include 104 beds and shared living and study spaces.

The college has also purchased and is planning to renovate 36,000 square feet of space in Gentry Square near Levelland’s medical district to create a new Center for Allied Health Education. The new facility will allow the campus to double enrollment in its nursing programs, and it will be able to incorporate a physical therapy assistant program.

This investment will lead to increased retail development opportunities in our community as more students begin to reside and work in Levelland.

INCREASING ENTERTAINMENT AND RETAIL

In addition to industrial and educational development, Levelland is experiencing our fair share of retail- and entertainment-related growth.

In late June of 2010, Hockley County broke ground on Mallet Event Center & Arena.


Mallet Event Center & Arena Opening 2012

Boasting more than 155,000 square feet of covered space, the Levelland entertainment facility will include banquet and meeting rooms, an exposition hall, a temperature-controlled arena, a warm-up arena, covered rodeo stock pens, and 50 on-site RV hookups.

With seating for up to 4,000, the Mallet Event Center can host concerts, rodeos, craft shows, and more. Its multipurpose capabilities are expected to draw visitors to Levelland and help boost the city’s retail tax base.

As a result of public investments from South Plains College, Hockley County, and the City of Levelland, we are seeing the results of a rising confidence level in the retail development sector. By investing in public infrastructure, we are providing economic opportunities for the private sector, and this will continue as these projects move from the construction phase into the operational phase.

The effects of the public investments are evident in the city’s $1 million in retail development over the past year. Area entrepreneurs have opened two new restaurants, and a storage franchise expanded to a new facility.

The recent addition of Stueart’s Pit Stop Kwik Lube & Car Wash, the first new development on its street in 20 years, is further proof of Levelland’s expanding economy. More and more local investors are coming off the sidelines and making investments in our community. Now is a great time to invest in Levelland.

I hope that our local business men and women will answer the door as opportunity knocks. While any investment in our community is welcomed the more local owners we have investing in our community the more wealth we can retain in Levelland for future growth and prosperity.

If you would like to know more about opportunities that exist in Levelland or you would like to know how the Levelland Economic Development Corporation can help you seize opportunities in our community please call me at 806.894.0113 or visit our website at GoLevelland.com.

You can also follow economic development activities by following us at Twitter.com/LevellandEDC and by becoming a Facebook fan at Facebook.com/LevellandTexas

Recycling Continues to Progress in Levelland

Dave Quinn — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:38:00 GMT

The following is a guest blog post by Erik Rejino, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Levelland. Erik has played a key role in identifying and writing grants that provide funding for many of the projects taking place in the City of Levelland.

Recycling Continues to Progress in Levelland

It has now been approximately 29 months since the fourth-grade student, Morgan McCutchen, went before Levelland City Council and urged them to begin thinking about the future by establishing a City-wide recycling program. Since that City Council meeting, the City of Levelland has established the Levelland Recycling Center, a recycling drop off site, with the help of a multiple regional solid waste grants. The Recycling Center has been open since May of 2009 and in its first year of operation diverted over 32 tons of recyclable materials from going into the landfill. Now in its second year of operation the center has collected over 22 tons in only 5 months which puts Levelland residents well on their way to surpassing last year’s goal.

While the Levelland Recycling Center has exceeded expectations and continues to grow, the City of Levelland has been actively looking for ways to improve and expand recycling efforts in Levelland. In the summer of 2010, City Manager Rick Osburn became aware of a curbside recycling company, Green Queens LLC based out of Lubbock, which was looking to expand their business. After City staff met several times with the Green Queens, Levelland City Council approved an agreement that would bring them to Levelland. Shortly after City Council approved the agreement, the Levelland Development Foundation partnered with the Green Queens by giving them a low interest loan to operate their business in Levelland. On October 28, 2010, the Green Queens had a grand opening and opened their facility to the public.

Curbside recycling has been available to Levelland residents since August 2010. Levelland utility customers have the option to add the Green Queens service for less than a dollar a day to their utility bills. The charge for the service is $27 per month. They provide their customers with unlimited 30 gallon 100 percent recyclable industrial strength bags and they pick them up curbside every first and third Thursday of each month. You simply place all of your recyclable materials into the bag and they sort it for you. The Green Queens have taken all of the work out of recycling. To sign up today go to www.levellandtexas.org/recycle or come by Levelland City Hall.

If you are not a City of Levelland utility customer you may contact the Green Queens directly at 806.789.7329 or go to their website www.greenqueens.org.

Levelland Completes New $8.6 Million Industrial Rail Park

Dave Quinn — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:32:00 GMT

Trains Ready to Roll!

Less than one year after breaking ground, Levelland City and Economic Development officials will get engines on track for an $8.6 million industrial rail park in the 12,866 population town 30 miles west of Lubbock, Texas. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17.

“We’ve come a long way in 11 months,” said Dave Quinn, executive director of the Levelland Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). “We’ve used the tagline, ‘Progressive on Purpose,’ here in Levelland for quite some time, and this ribbon-cutting is the culmination of our work – not only for our city, but for the entire West Texas region.”

The entire rail portion – which includes a 300-acre development for new businesses – received $3.3 million in federal stimulus funds along with $1.5 million of the LEDC’s cash reserves. The remaining $3.8 million came in the form of a loan through bonds sold by the city and repaid with LEDC sales tax revenues and Tax Increment Financing District Funds.

“We are thankful to have received this $3.3 million in stimulus funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act,” said Elgin Conner, LEDC chairman. “This is one of the nation’s largest grants in size and scope. And that says a lot for a town our size to receive recognition for a project such as this. Obviously our government sees the potential we have for growth – and we’ve only just begun.”

Quinn said he anticipates the industrial rail park to create 1,000 jobs and $100 million in new capital investment over its first 10 years. Businesses already expanding or in the building process in Levelland because of the new rail park include Independent Electric and Arkansas-based American Cottonseed, which is preparing to start construction on their Texas expansion, Tex-Rail Commodities.

“We’re proud the public can now see evidence of the time and effort put in by our engineers, public officials and utility providers,” Conner said. “Chi Energy Inc. relocated flow lines and tank batteries, Xcel and Lamb County Electric completed overhead power lines, while Atmos and Lubbock Gas gathering moved underground gas lines.”

In coordinated efforts, utility companies also made way for Railroad Specialties, Inc., out of Littleton, Colorado to install more than 21,000 track feet of 132# rail and concrete crossties that make up the rail infrastructure of the industrial rail park. Aside from the rail line, the project also includes the addition of water, sewer and street improvements.

Now complete, the industrial rail park encompasses 18 total lots, ranging in size from five to 65 acres. Each lot, Quinn explained, has direct access to the rail line.

To RSVP for the event visit GoLevelland.com/LIRP or for more information, please visit their website at http://golevelland.com/rail or call (806) 894-0113.

Ports to Plains provides crucial connection for Levelland & South Plains economy

Dave Quinn — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The following guest blog post is authored by Michael Reeves, Preseident of the Ports to Plains Alliance. Levelland Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) became a member of the PtP in 2008 and see it as a way to leverage our $8.6 mil investment in the Levelland Industrial Rail Park.

Ports to Plains provides crucial connection for Levelland & South Plains economy

Transportation has always been a key economic driver, and that connectivity is even more important for rural communities. Fortunately we in West Texas do not have the congestion and nightmare commutes that those in the state’s metropolitan areas do. But that does not mean that our highway projects are less important. One of the most important transportation projects for West Texas is the Ports to Plains Corridor, extending from Alberta, Canada to Mexico, providing improved access to markets for the South Plains’ agriculture and energy products.

The Ports to Plains Corridor concept began with now Congressman Randy Neugebauer was on the Lubbock City Council, and was looking at economic development ideas for the region. Recognizing a lack of north-south corridors, especially in the western United States, the early Ports to Plains leaders saw the great potential in looking at Interstate 27 and seeing connections beyond Lubbock and Amarillo.

The Ports to Plains Corridor already exists. In fact, from San Angelo to Dumas it is mostly completed. The plan calls for utilizing existing four-lane or six-lane highway as much as possible, and upgrading current two-lane highways to four-lane divided highway.

There are many benefits of an improved Ports to Plains Corridor. First of all is safety. The PTP Corridor Management Plan, conducted by the state departments of transportation along the corridor, projected that upgrading the corridor from two-lanes to four-lanes divided may cut accident rates almost in half.

Then there is the economic impact. Access to markets through good, safe highways is a top factor that companies look for in locating new facilities. It is even more important in West Texas where the energy and agriculture industries are very infrastructure intensive, and call for moving large equipment, or moving large amounts of products several miles to markets.

The growing wind industry is one example of such an industry that demands quality highways. One wind tower requires eight permitted and escorted oversized vehicles. One planned wind farm in the Panhandle would require more than 20,000 trucks, with another 40,000 pilot cars escorting them, to complete construction. And that is only for the oversize loads and does not count numerous other concrete, steel and other components that must be used.

Agriculture also depends on transportation. Quite simply, there are not enough of us here on the South Plains to buy all the t-shirts and blue jeans that our cotton produces. We have to export. The Ports to Plains Corridor provides more efficient movement of cotton to the mills, saving in transportation costs and keeping more profits in our local economy.

Ports to Plains is very excited about our partners in Canada and Mexico. The Province of Alberta is our first international member, and is a valuable trading partner. Alberta is home to the world’s second largest oil reserves, behind only Saudi Arabia. And when you consider the others on the list of largest oil reserves include Iran, Iraq and Venezuela, it is pretty simple to identify who you trust to be a stable, secure energy supplier for the United States. Alberta is a true ally that can be counted on to help meet our long term energy demands. The industry creates significant trade with Texas, totaling about $6 billion in two-way trade annually. The Alberta oil industry relies on Texas pumps, drilling equipment, technology and services. Texas refineries process Alberta crude oil. It is a mutually beneficial and prosperous relationship.

Our newest member is the State of Coahuila in Mexico. Coahuila is particularly attractive to the cotton industry of West Texas, as the region around Torreon is home to a significant textile industry. One factory we visited produces 24,000 pairs of pants every day. Coahuila imports almost 100% of its cotton, and most of that comes from Texas. By improving the highways, we can make the cotton trade more efficient, lower shipping costs and keep more money here in our economy. At the signing ceremony joining the Ports to Plains Alliance, Coahuila Governor Humberto Moreira Valdes said that this corridor is his top infrastructure priority, and they should be completed from Torreon to the Acuña / Del Rio border crossing in about two years.

The biggest challenge we face in completing the corridor is highway funding. The gas tax, which funds highway construction, has not increased since 1993. With the tremendous inflation in construction costs, and the fact that people are driving less and using more fuel efficient cars when they do, we are facing a real crunch in building highways. Added on top of that, urban areas are battling gridlock, and it is more challenging for rural projects to compete for increasingly scarce highway dollars. That is why it is important that we in West Texas must stick together to be sure our voice is heard. Let our elected officials know that transportation is important, and that rural Texas’ transportation needs are just as important as urban areas.

If you have any questions about the Ports to Plains Corridor, you can look on our web site portstoplains.com, or feel free to call me at 806-775-2338.

Stop Losing Time and Make Progress in Levelland

Dave Quinn — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The following is a guest blog post by Randy Anderson, e3 Professional Trainers from Lubbock Texas.

Randy Anderson,

e3 Professional Trainers

Randy will be leading Levelland Economic Development Corporation's "Improving Productivity and Profitability Series" this year in Levelland. The first workshop on November 3, is Maximum Productivity, a time management workshop. Read to see how you can do more in the same amount of time.

Stop Losing Time and Be More Productive

Would you like to get the same amount of work done you produce now in fewer hours? Or what about getting more work done in the same number of hours you’re currently working? It sounds like a great idea, but most people don’t know how.

For most people, personal improvement in areas such as diet or exercise, is more a matter of discipline than understanding. In other words, it’s not a matter of not knowing what to do, it’s that they don’t have the discipline or resolve to stick with it.

A lot of people that struggle in the area of personal productivity, however, don’t really know how to go about bettering themselves.

The first major obstacle that anyone wanting to make major improvements in this area needs to overcome is the value (or lack of) that they place on their time. Most people allow small chunks of time to slip away everyday. By reevaluating how we view our time and what our priorities really are. Doing this will allow you to incentivize yourself. Working more, or faster just because the boss says you should is not usually enough.

The next step is to tighten up your day. There are multiple things you can do to keep from losing time.

Eliminate Time Bandits – the tasks or people that steal your time on a regular basis.
Get organized – Everything should have a “place” within your system
- Compartmentalize by team member, project, job responsibility, etc.
- If you were to take everything out of your office and your desk, would

you put it back the same way it is now? If not, how would you change it?

Are old files cluttering or clogging up your space?
Identify ways to save time on recurring tasks.
Put things in a more efficient order and maintain flexibility to maximize minutes as your day changes
Be disciplined in using a personal productivity tool
- Have ONE place that you centralize all of your appointments, to-do lists, contact information, etc.
Learn to plan ahead so you can maximize opportunities to tighten up your day and minimize lost minutes.
Delegate tasks someone else can do, even if you’re the “low man on the totem pole”.
- What are the things only you can do?
- How much of your time are you spending on other things (that someone else could do)?
Does the current division of responsibility within your organization still prove to be the best way to divide them?
Make sure you’re focusing on the most profitable and most important tasks rather than those that seem most pressing.
Eliminate time you’re losing from interruptions or unexpected opportunities.
- Train the people you work with consistently to work with you to be proactive.
Look for opportunities to push interruptions back and address them when itmakes the most sense for you, rather than on someone else’s time table.
Develop, cultivate, or exercise your ability to say no to things that don’t help you to achieve or maintain your core values.
Finally, you need to learn a strategy for creating a plan for how you want to invest your time in order to make sure you have time for all your responsibilities and projects.
- Creating a plan won’t miraculously eliminate all interruptions and lack of self discipline.
Having a plan WILL give you a higher likelihood of effectively balancing your time and affording yourself an opportunity to actually “get caught up” and staying there.

For almost everyone that is struggling to make the most of their time and accomplish more, they will have to make some level of a dramatic change in the way that they use their time. These are only a few ideas that will help you to do that, but it will take discipline, commitment and accountability.

Register for Maximum Productivity Today!

Levelland Goes Hunting at 2010 Permain Basin International Oil Show

Dave Quinn — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:44:00 GMT

Every other year, the Permian Basin International Oil Show, Inc. brings people together from every part of the petroleum industry. Leaders come from every corner of the world to learn about the latest technology, and the newest equipment, and to transact business and renew friendships.

This world-wide event began humbly in 1940 as the "Little International Oil Show" with a mere 35 exhibits in the boomtown of Odessa, Texas. The Show lasted two years before World War II intervened. In 1950, oilmen from around the Permian Basin revived the project. The group formed a non-profit corporation and The Permian Basin Oil Show, Inc. was established. The show was presented again in October 1952 and has been held every two years, on the even numbered years, since that time. Because of the growing interest of foreign exhibitors and attendees, the name was changed in 1994 to The Permian Basin International Oil Show, Inc. The 2010 show will have over 700 oil and gas related companies exhibiting in 1,114 spaces.

This year the Levelland Economic Development Corporation joined the High Ground of Texas for a

Morse Haynes,Wesley Burnett, Dave Quinn

day at the show. We partnered with the famed Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang to serve coffee and Danishes for exhibitors before the show opened and then served lunch to visitors. Levelland was joined by High Ground of Texas members from Monahans and Andrews and by Executive Director Lorie Vincent.

Working to expand its cluster of oil and gas production and services companies the Levelland EDC spent the day visiting with current companies operating in Levelland, like Allied Oil Field Machine & Pump and North Basin Coating. They also spent the day inviting other companies to find out why over 100 oil and gas companies call Levelland and Hockley County home.

South Plains College to Break Ground on $7 million Residence Hall

Dave Quinn — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT

The following post provided by Myrna Whitehead, South Plains College. For more information on this project or about South Plains College contact her at 806.716.2212 or by email at mwhitehead@southplainscollege.edu

SPC to host ground-breaking ceremony for new student residence hall on Oct. 19

South Plains College will host a ground-breaking ceremony for a new $7 million student residence hall at 10 a.m. on Oct. 19 in the parking lot on J.V. Morton Drive, west of the Welding Technology building in Levelland Texas. The new hall should be completed by fall 2011, with students moving in at the start of the spring 2012 semester.

The ground-breaking event will feature David Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, as the master of ceremony. A welcome and introduction will be presented by Dr. Kelvin Sharp, President of South Plains College. Mike Box, chairperson of the SPC Board of Regents, also will present remarks. Dr. Sharp will introduce the construction team in charge of the project.

According to Jones, the new residence hall is a 104-bed facility that will feature a main common area in the middle with additional common areas located on each of the four wings. The wing common areas will have a small kitchenette, microwave oven, tables and chairs as well as a seating area. The new two-story residence hall will house both men and women in segregated areas.

The last residence hall built on the Levelland campus was in 1981 with the completion of the Smallwood Apartment.

“We have had a waiting list for a number of years,” said Jones. “Since Smallwood was built, we haven’t been able to accommodate the numbers of students needing housing.

“A lot of our existing residence halls were built during the ‘60s, and they are close to their useable lifespan,” Jones said. “With the addition of the new residence hall, we will be able to take some of those off line. It is our plan to evaluate existing spaces and decide whether to renovate to bring them current or replace them with new construction.”

Jones said that the location of the current site has enough space to allow for construction of a second facility. The architect used for the project is Freese and Nichols, Inc. of Fort Worth.

For more details, contact Dane Dewbre, associate dean of College Relations, at (806) 716-2210.

Cotton Pickin’ Progress: $2.5 Million Business Expansion in Levelland

Dave Quinn — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Farmers Co-op Compress of Lubbock, the largest cotton warehouse in the world, continues work on their $2.5 million expansion of their Levelland plant. This project was first discussed in an April 27, 2010 blog post titled “Levelland Sings Signs, Signs Every Where Signs…of Progress.” The expansion includes two new 150,000 square feet cotton warehouses that will create approximately 6 new jobs in Levelland. The Levelland Economic Development Corporation partnered with the City of Levelland and Hockley County to orchestrated an incentive package that included a 5 year "Tax Phase In" agreement and a waiver of building permit fees to get the business expansion project off the ground.

Workers continue to make progress on the new buildings and are expected to finish by the end of the year. Listen to Matt McDonald’s “Progressive by the Minute” radio interview as he talks about the project in Levelland and explains why Levelland was the right choice for the expansion.

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