It has been almost three -resized-600.jpg)
weeks since Hockley County broke ground on the $15,000,000 Mallet Event Center & Arena in Levelland. I wanted to post a blog sooner but I have been waiting on pictures taken of the event by Steve Conway. Steve -resized-600.jpg)
has a way of capturing the excitement of the day and reminding the looker why the voters agreed to move forward with this project in the first place.
I also wanted to thank Steve Deaton -resized-600.jpg)
and his crew from Xcel Energy who provided the fabulous lunch and back drop for the event. With flags a flying and smoke a rising the Xcel group helped make this historic day in Levelland and Hockley County a day-resized-600.jpg)
we will not ever forget. This is not the first time Xcel has provided resources for Levelland events as the Xcel Energy Foundation has provided grants for the Levelland Main Street Event "Sounds of Texas". Thanks Xcel for being a great "Partner in Progress".
The Mallet will offer over 155,000 square feet of covered space, with a heated/cooled 85,000 sq ft arena, 17, 340 sq ft -resized-600.jpg)
Banquet/meeting rooms, 26,220 sq ft exposition hall, 23,275 sq ft warm up arena and 3,750 sq ft rodeo stock covered pens. The facility is truly multiple purpose and will offer Levelland opportunities to host numerous events ranging from horse & rodeo events to music concerts and craft shows. The Arena will have 1900 permanent seats with another 2000 that can be placed on the floor of the arena for various concerts and productions. The site will also have 50 RV spaces on site with full hook ups for those travels that bring their own lodging.
This project opens up retail opportunities for existing businesses as well as leading the way for future retail development to take place. The yearlong construction phase will help boost the local economy and then next year as the center begins operations Levelland should see a bump in retail sales tax receipts as visitors from around the region and state visit the facility.
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My hat off to Hockley County commissioners for taking this bold step in moving forward with this project and getting it to this point. I’m know it was a lot of hard work but in the end all great endeavors are.
To see more pictures from this historic day in Levellan d and Hockley County visit Levelland's Flickr Photo Stream
Today I received and email from Governor Perry's office with the news that Texas was ranked the No. 1 Business Climate in the Nation by CNBC.
This is great news as Levelland continues to
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| $15 mil Mallet Event Center & Arena |
invest in public infrastructure projects like the $8.6 mil Levelland Industrial Rail Park, $15 mil Mallet Event Center & Arena & a slew of other public works projects now underway or in the final stages of engineering.
Taking advantage of incredible low construction costs the public entities pursuing these projects are maximizing the public dollars provided by taxpayers. By being progressive and “moving into the wind” during this economic storm Levelland and Hockley County are preparing themselves to reap huge benefits and economic growth in the coming years as the economy returns.
This announcement will draw the attention of businesses worldwide looking for opportunities to invest and our community is poised to capture a share of those dollars being drawn into the state.
For more information on how Levelland Economic Development can help you and/or your business be progressive visit GoLevelland.com/progress
The complete CNBC study is available on www.topstatesforbusiness.cnbc.com.
The following is a guest post provided by Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services for the City of Levelland.
Approximately 73 percent of Levelland residents and 67 percent of Hockley County residents have filled out and 
returned their Census questionnaire. Approximately 72 percent of households nationwide and 69 percent of households statewide have filled out and returned their Census questionnaire.
When compared to the 2000 Census final participation rate, the rates mentioned above are actually ahead of where the rates were in the 2000 Census. The final participation rate in 2000 was 72 percent nationwide, 68 percent statewide, 68 percent in Hockley County, and 74 percent in Levelland.
The final participation rate includes the door knocking phase of collecting Census data. 
The rates mentioned above for this year's Census do not yet include the door knocking phase.
Door-to-door census taking occurs in May, June, and early July 2010. Local census takers will visit households that did not mail back a census form. All Census takers carry an official badge and a shoulder bag - both with the Department of Commerce Seal - and a binder.
During a visit, census takers will show ID and hand respondents an information sheet explaining that their answers are confidential. The Census taker will complete the questionnaire, which should take about 10 minutes.
If no one is home, a "notice of visit" will be left on the door inviting the resident to call the census taker to complete the form over the phone. The Census taker is authorized to go back as many as seven times if necessary.
If you haven't yet, it is not too late to participate in the 2010 Census. The 2010 Census will determine how $400 billion per year in federal funds over the next ten years will be allocated.
By being counted, you are doing your part in making sure that Levelland and Hockley County will receive their fair share of that money. For more information about how to identify a census worker and the extra steps the Census Bureau has taken to protect confidential information, CALL 800-563-6499.
The following post is a reprint of the
Levelland & Hockley County News Press April 21, 2010 article written by Jacob Tucker. As part of their corporate incentives program, the Levelland Economic Development Corporation donated 223 acres of land to the Ethanol Plant in 2005. The City of Levelland also wrote and received a $750,000 grant from the
Texas Department of Agriculture's Texas Capital Fund Program for the gray water conveyance system used as the process water for ethanol production. The renewable energies plant is located 3 miles east of the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park (LIRP) and just 24 miles west of Lubbock Texas and has a current Texas workforce of 51 employees.
Ethanol plant ends fiscal year in black
The ethanol plan in operation east of the City of Levelland ended 2009 operating in the black financially. Levelland Hockley county Ethanol LLC held its annual banquet on Monday April 19 to inform the shareholders of the progress of the plant in the past year.
Sam Sacco, plant manager, said, "There were lots of times where the board could have given up on us, but they continued to believe in us." The plant is currently doing 80 to 90 percent of its ethanol sales by truck pickup. "The trucks give more money than the rail cars," Sacco said. "And we are continuing to see increases on ethanol trucks coming in." He also informed the share holders of the sale of distillers' grain to area dairies.
"We are getting buyers for distillers from dairies as far north as Hereford," Sacco said. "We are also getting calls from New Mexico dairies as well." He said nutritionists at the dairies are raving about the nutritional value of the distillers grain and are having people come a long way for the product.
Since the plant has become more productive, Sacco said that they aren't going anywhere. "We are the only ethanol plant in Texas who has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy," Sacco said. "We have reached a point where we aren't just a flash in the pan."
Last year the plant paid $650,000 in property taxes, and $40 Million was paid to area producers for their crops. Another $15 million went to city and local vendors. "Notice, I said local," Sacco said. "That is very important to us." The plant used 12.3 million bushels of grain to make 33,115,294 gallons of ethanol last year. Ninety-five percent of the grain came from local producers.
"This plant means a lot to the community," Sacco said. "Without the continued support of the community, all of our efforts would have been for nothing," Sacco said. He said that "local farmers spreading their eggs out of one basket" is the key to producing more ethanol and cutting cost from importing additional grain to produce the product.
B.J. Fidaleo, controller at the plant, reported strong monetary figures to the shareholders. "Our total current assets are $12,074,822 which is up from last year," Fidaleo said. "Last year's total assets sat at $7,464,648. The audit has not been completed due to a discrepancy so these numbers aren't final," Fidaleo said.
The board also reported that a lawsuit involving the
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ETHANOL BOARD - Monday, Levelland Hockley County Ethanol LLC held their annual shareholders banquet in the Sundown Room of South Plains College. Shareholders heard information on the plant from General Manager Sam Sacco, who reported that the plant reported is currently operating in the black financially. Pictured above is the LHCE Board, from left: Doug Bruggeman, James Halbert, Greg Methvin, Ricky Neal and Zafar Rizvi. (Staff Photo) |
builders of the Reverse Osmosis facility on site has been settled. "We weren't out to make money on the deal," Board Chair Greg Methvin said. "We came out with just enough to cover what we were due." The RO facility is now operating at full capacity and the plant has been running on gray water from the City of Levelland since December.
The following is a guest post by Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services for the City of Levelland. For information concerning Levelland's efforts with the 2010 Census contact Erik at 806.894.0113.
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It is officially Census Day today. Below is an update of the participation rate for the U.S. Census. These numbers are current as of Wednesday.
National: 52%
Texas: 46%
Hockley County: 47%
Levelland: 51%
Tract 1: 55%
Tract 2: 51%
Tract 3: 45%
Smyer: 39%
Lubbock County: 51%
Lubbock: 51%
To go on and get these rates just go on http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/. Please note that the rate they are using is the "Participation Rate" not the "Response Rate" like they did in 2000. The participation rate is a more accurate number than the response rate because it does not include houses that are vacant. The response rate includes all houses regardless of whether they have people living in them or not.
On the website, they have gone back in and added what they figure to be the participation rate for 2000. You will notice those numbers are higher than the response rate numbers we have been referring to.
Regardless of whether we look at the response rate or the participation rate, there is much room for improvement from the 2000 Census.
Census workers are expected to go door to door to the homes that do not respond beginning on the third or fourth week of April. They are authorized to go back as many as seven times if needed.
I encourage each of you to hold the people around you accountable. We really need to see Levelland and Hockley County go above the national participation rate. We need our numbers to look as good on paper as possible.
The following is a guest post by Erik Rejino, Director of Administration Services for the City of Levelland. Twitter: www.twitter.com/LevellandCD
The U.S. Census Bureau is one week away from mailing out Census questionnaires to every household in the U.S.
There may be some Levelland and Hockley County residents that for one reason or another that may need help filling out the 10 question form. I am happy to say that the U.S. Census Bureau has a Questionnaire Assistance Center conveniently located in Levelland.
Census workers will have a booth set up every day from the hours of 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at United Supermarkets in Levelland (511 College Ave) on 
the west side entrance except on Fridays where they will be there from the hours of 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
The purpose of this center is not to distribute the Census. Most of you will receive your Census questionnaire via mail shortly after March 15th. The purpose of this center is to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have on the form.
Also, if you need help filling out your form, they will be there to assist you. If you or someone you know will need assistance with the Census questionnaire, next time you go grocery shopping at United Supermarkets in Levelland, bring your Census questionnaire with you.
Please pass this information on to anyone that you feel may need help filling out the 2010 Census questionnaire.
Guest Blog post by Erik Rejino, Director fo Administration services - http://Twitter.com/LevellandCD
By now you have probably heard about the 2010 Census whether it was through the national media campaign or local media sources. The City of Levelland along with several other organizations in Hockley County have been working with the U.S. Census Bureau on creating an awareness campaign for the upcoming 2010 Census in order to obtain a better response rate on the Census questionnaire. Despite these efforts many people may not know the true purpose and importance of the upcoming Census.
The Census is simply a count of everyone residing in the United States which is required by the U.S. Constitution. This has been done every ten years since the year 1790. All children, babies, and adults who live in a household should be counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age, or gender. $400 billion per year in federal funding is expected to take place over the next 10 years, some of which is tied directly to Census data. Over the last ten years, Hockley County has received over $1 billion dollars in federal funds, some of which was tied directly to Census data. These funds include things such as food stamps, title one and head start grants, USDA direct payments, road and community improvements, public health services and hospitals, and senior services. Despite the various benefits that come from filling out the Census Questionnaire, only 60 percent of Hockley County residents and 63 percent of Levelland residents filled out the Census questionnaire in 2000 and returned it.
There are several theories as to why there was such a low response rate, not only in our community, but nationwide:
-Length: The questionnaire in 2000 was too long (30 questions).
-Privacy: People are reluctant to give the government personal information.
-Confidentiality: Some people worry that the information they provide could be used against them.
-Immigration and citizenship concerns: People may not want to draw attention to themselves.
Even though these are logical concerns, all of the above issues have been addressed by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2010 Census questionnaire has been shortened to 10 questions which will only take 10 minutes to fill out. Households will simply be asked to provide demographic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of the residence; and the names, genders, ages and races of others living in the household. This is the shortest questionnaire in decades. Also, Census information is completely confidential. Census information is never shared with other governmental agencies such as the IRS, FBI, or any immigration office. Sharing Census data is a federal offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
Another issue to consider is an issue that we face here in West Texas. For several years now, there have been talks about West Texas losing State and Federal representation if Census numbers do not come in strong. There are several other issues that West Texas faces and we need to have the loudest voice possible when it comes to State and Federal governments. We cannot afford not to count anyone in West Texas if we are to keep the representation we have now.
The Census questionnaire will be mailed out beginning March 15 and is due back early April. If the questionnaire is not mailed back by early April Census workers will go to your door and take the survey by hand. They will go back as many as 4-6 times to each household to attempt to fill out the survey face to face. For every one percent that the U.S. Census Bureau wants to increase the response rate nation-wide, it costs approximately $80-$90 million. Assume that only 65 percent of households respond to the 2010 Census and the Census Bureau wanted at least a 70 percent response rate. It would cost $400-$450 million to accomplish that. Due to the high cost, it is very important that every household respond the first time so that this expense is limited.
I understand that with many of you I am preaching to the choir. Some of you have always filled out your Census and will continue to do so. I encourage those of you that are in this situation to step up in our community. Find someone you know who is concerned about the Census and let them know it is safe, confidential, and important. Help them fill the form out if necessary. Only by holding each other accountable can we be successful in this effort. The 2010 Census will determine how loud of a voice we will have at the state and federal government levels, and it will determine the amount of money our community will receive over the next ten years. Let's make sure everyone gets counted in Levelland, Hockley County, and West Texas. We can't afford not to!
Five and a half years ago I began my career as and economic developer in Levelland Texas. The first project I was able to work on was the Levelland/Hockley County Ethanol plant. Although at that time it was just a dream. The Farmer's Co-op Elevator had just completed a feasibility study on the possibility of producing Ethanol in Hockley County and the results were promising albeit a challenging proposition.
There were a lot of naysayers who pointed out every challenge we would face and said it couldn't be done. Each time we were able to overcome a challenge a new one would appear. For two years we worked to eliminate the barriers that stood in the way and at each turn someone made sure to point out how we were wasting our time and would never get it open.
Then in October 2006 we broke ground on the $64 million dollar plant 6 miles east of Levelland. It was a great day filled with excitement and accomplishment. Still there were naysayers telling us that it would never be successful. Well here we are Three years later and the plant continues to produce Ethanol.
Today the Levelland/Hockley County Ethanol Plant is hosting a Bar-b-que lunch at the plant and I have been honored with an invite. I can't wait to break bread with those that helped make this dream become a reality. During the process of getting the plant to this point my good friend Nick Williams often quoted James Arthur Baldwin, "Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it." He was right.
If something is worth doing you can bet there is going to be someone telling you how it can't be done. Thank goodness in Levelland we like a good challenge and don't mind doing what "they" say can't be done.
While the Ethanol plant is still in the start up phase as a business and each day challenging for sure, they continue to work to make it successful. If you are wondering, "What does this mean to our local economy?" Let me tell you.
As a company they have paid taxes in excess of $500,000 to the local taxing entities and have employed an average of 40 people for a two year period with an annual payroll over $1,200,000. Click on the link to see a one page report generated by the Texas Comptroller's Office titled "Estimated Economic Impact of the Ethanol Production on the City of Levelland, Hockley County and the Nine-County Region" .
Maybe now people will stop wondering when it is going to fail and start asking how they can help make it succeed. Congratulations to the Levelland/Hockley County Ethanol plant for making it this far. I'll see you at lunch.
Let me know how you feel about the ethanol plant and/or the future of agriculture in Levelland by leaving a comment to this post. I would love to hear your what you have to say.
The citizens of Hockley County voted Saturday to allow the county commissioners to issue $15 million worth of bonds to build a Multi-Purpose Event Center in Levelland Texas.
This is the culmination of over a decade of work and planning by a dedicated group of individuals who never stop believing that Levelland and Hockley County deserved to have this opportunity. And an opportunity it will be, this project opens the door for major retail opportunities in the Levelland area including new restaurants, hotels, and a truck stop. With the thousands of visitors that will be coming into Levelland and Hockley County for various events each year, Levelland is poised for growth like never before in both housing development and job creation expecially for South Plains College students who want to work, live and go to school in Levelland.
And icing on the cake of this weekend's vote, less than 24 hours after the bond passed the Levelland EDC received its first offical request to reserve the new banquet facility for January 2011 from the Hockley County School Employees Credit Union. You can see the letter here.
The Levelland & Hockley County News-Press enters the on line world today with the launch of their new website at http://www.levellandnews.net/
"This is something we have wanted to do for a long time," commented the paper's publishers Stephen and Pat Henry. "We hope this will give visitors a more dynamic look into the Levelland community."
Please take a minute to check out the newest Levelland on line presence and give Stephen and Pat a big thank you for finding yet another way to promote the City of Levelland and Hockley County.
