Today I have lost a dear friend and ally, David Evans.
David was the Economic Developer in Plainview and served with me on the High Ground of Texas board of directors. Over the last several years David had become more than a colleague, he was a dear friend.
We traveled many of the same roads in search of opportunities for our communities, yet there was never a feeling of combativeness between us. We often shared our approaches with one another, while more often than not; I was the one doing the listening and David the teaching.
David's willingness to share his experience with his less seasoned colleagues around the region and his desire to leave this world better than he found it made him the embodiment of the very sprit upon which the High Ground of Texas was founded twenty years ago.
So in return for David's support for our region the High Ground of Texas has established the "David Evans Spirit of Giving Scholarship Fund". He often talked to Lorie Vincent, Executive Director of the High Ground of Texas, about what he could do to ensure the growth of rural Texas and foster economic development support for those with limited resources.
"It was his desire to be a part of a legacy that would continue to support his dream for "making a difference". Donations to his scholarship fund will be used to provide assistance for economic development practitioners to obtain economic development education, then taking that knowledge back to where it would be put to good use," says Lorie.
The HGEF will work closely with David's family to insure that his wishes are carried out. If you would like, you can make a gift to the "David Evans Spirit of Giving Scholarship Fund" by going to the following link https://www.epartnersingiving.com/educationfund
or you can send a donation to:
David Evans Spirit of Giving Scholarship Fund
c/o The High Ground Education Foundation
P.O. Box 716
Stratford, TX 79084
Please note on the online form that the gift is for David Evans or write it on your check. Gifts acknowledgements will be immediately sent to the family of David Evans.
"David thank you for blessing me with your friendship and love, farewell my friend."
Dave Quinn, Levelland
In the world of Economic Development, ED directors and CEO's are reminded a lot that 80% of the growth in any community comes from within. That means that it's the businesses and companies already here that will provide the foundation for future growth of Levelland.
Recruitment is important as it introduces new energy and DNA into the economic system of the community. It also brings the news headlines and publicity, but as a community we should not forget that it is our friends and neighbors who are quietly going about the business of creating wealth in our community.
These companies are the ones who have made the decision to live and work and build in Levelland. As a community we don't have to persuade them Levelland is the greatest place on Earth, they already believe it. We must, as a community, continue to improve the local environment that will allow these companies to thrive, such as more business networking activities, better quality of life and educational system that produces a well trained and qualified workforce.
We must find a way to help one another by leveraging the success of each business owner to create greater success for his neighbor. More than ever we are competing in a worldwide market place which means in order to grow we must band together and share both the burden and spoils of a unified community operating in a global economy.
One example of a local business owner and entrepreneur making waves in the global economy from our Little West Texas town is Levelland Delinting Inc. They were recently featured in a newsletter Competing for Profit from the Texas Tech University Agricultural Competitiveness.
The next time you see Cody Poage or any employees of Levelland Delinting be sure and tell them thank you for helping make Levelland a better place.
And in an effort to highlight other companies making a difference the Levelland Economic Development Corporation has partnered with the High Plains Radio Network to feature local companies throughout the year with what we are calling "Progressive by the Minute" spots that will run on 1230 AM with links on the internet to the various spots at http://www.golevelland.com/ website.
Be sure and listen and thank our local business heroes making a difference in the future of Levelland.
The
Dog Days of Summer are here and while we hate to see summer come to and end, the sound of shoulder pads and helmets clanking together reminds us of the renewed excitement that comes with each new season of fall sports.
To celebrate this wonderful time of year between the lagging summer and the budding fall the Levelland EDC has partnered with the High Plains Radio Network, South Plains College and Levelland ISD to create an end of Summer event, the "Dog Days of Summer" Community Scavenger Hunt on Saturday August 15, 2009.
The Hunt was created to promote Levelland Main Street's Movie on the Hill, Beverly Hills Chihuahua showing at Lobo Hill at Lobo Lake on Thursday August 20, 2009, and to build excitement for the upcoming Lobo Football Season and Levelland ISD fall sports.
So gather up 3 of your friends or family members and meet us at Lobo Stadium on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. on August 15,2009. The Levelland Cheerleaders will be there cheering you on as you register your team, create your team bandana and begin seeking out the clues to complete the crossword puzzle.
You or your team will have until 3:00 p.m. to complete the community wide Scavenger Hunt. Once you have completed the hunt you and your team members will return to Lobo Stadium and will be entered in a drawing for team prizes. Each team member will then also be entered into the individual drawing to be held on Thursday August 20, 2009 at Lobo Hill before the movie. You must be present to win, so mark your calendar and plan to be there.
For more information on the "Dog Days of Summer" Scavenger Hunt visit www.GoLevelland.com/dogdaysofsummer We'll see you there!
Levelland EDC officials met at noon on Monday with Eco Blue to iron out details of a deal that will bring the cotton insulation manufacturer to Levelland, a rural community just 30 miles west of Lubbock, Texas.
After months of negotiations, a deal was finally reached that will put a 40,000 sq. ft. industrial building back into use in the Levelland Industrial Park.
Eco Blue director and plant manager David Davis says, "We want to be here and we are ready to get started." Davis along with his partner Rex Neitsch will begin moving in equipment this week and expect to be up and running within a couple of weeks.
The company signed a 10 year lease purchase agreement that will put the cotton insulation manufacturer into operation in the former knitting mill building. Eco Blue will be required to hire 20 full time employees within 24 months and make additional capital investments. In return the EDC agrees to provide $350,000 corporate incentive for operating capital, 1/2 at time of equipment delivery and 1/2 when the first pound of cotton insulation is produced and ready for shipping.
The company will use raw cotton grown locally for a feedstock to produce a finished loose-fill insulation that is safe for the environment, contains no harmful chemicals or irritants, and will be shipped nationwide. They will also produce a line of products for the bedding industry and a line of natural cotton batt insulation.
Watch for more to come as the company begins its operation in the Levelland Industrial Park.
The Texas Department of Agriculture's Rural Texas internship Program began in Levelland this week. 
Brittany Dennis, a senior at Sam Houston State University, began her internship with the Levelland EDC this week.
On her first day, she was able to attend a presentation on recycling at Cactus Elementary, a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Levelland Recycling Center, a Hockley County Commissioner's meeting, a Levelland EDC board meeting, a Rotary scholarship committee meeting, the FFA banquet at Levelland High School, and a city council meeting in which Hugh Bradley the longest running mayor in Levelland history stepped down after 10 years of service.
To say that her first day was busy would be and understatement. Brittany's blog "Live from Levelland" will chronical her stay in Levelland. She will be staying with three different families while in Levelland so she can get a diverse look at life in Levelland.
So if you see her out taking pictures or at events taking video please be sure to smile, say hi and give her a warm welcome to West Texas.
Levelland's newest retail center is open for business. Both
Dollar Tree and
Rue21 have opened their doors to the public in Levelland. With roughly 12,000 square feet of retail space between the two businesses shoppers will enjoy the new offerings and find the shopping experience to be inviting.
Customers can move from the shopping center into the Wal-Mart parking lot without having to get on Hwy 114 and this means easy access either way you go. The Levelland Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon cutting for the Dollar Tree on Friday May 1, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Stop by and show your support for Levelland's newest retail offerings.
Visit the Klein Group LLC. for more information or call Dave Quinn for demographic information on Levelland.
When it comes to building communities from the ground up in rural Texas, no one does it better than the West Texas towns partnered with WesTex Allied Communities. Currently the WesTex Allied serves communities in the Texas Counties of Hockley and Lamb, the two major cities of which are Levelland and Littlefield.
Recently I had a chance to catch up with Laura Hardin, Master Enterprise Facilitator for WesTex Allied Communities and asked her to explain Enterprise Facilitation.
Dave Quinn
"What is Enterprise Facilitation?"
Laura Hardin
"Enterprise Facilitation (EF) is a grass-roots economic development model that focuses on the entrepreneur, their strengths and weaknesses, and provides individual coaching to assist them in building on their strengths, and finds people to help them in their area of weakness. EF uses the Trinity of Management model that says that every business needs three things: the product/service, sales and marketing and financial management. Invariably, no one person can do all three of these things EQUALLY well and EQUALLY beautifully. As a result, at least one of these areas fails to function at 100% thereby putting a business at risk for failure. We assist the individual entrepreneur in building teams of people who love to do what the entrepreneur hates. In addition we will assist the entrepreneur in getting a business plan together as well as helping to find funding, a location, equipment, people, supplies or whatever the entrepreneur needs to be successful."
"What does EF or this business coaching cost?"
EF assistance is available at no charge to the entrepreneur
"Where is your office, where do I go?"
My office is my car! I work individually with entrepreneurs and come to them (home, office, restaurant, where ever the entrepreneur would like to meet) and meet at their schedule.
"Will my idea or information be made public?"
Confidentiality is a foundational principle of what we do. In fact, we believe so strongly in confidentiality that I and every one of my board members (now numbering 50+ people) have signed confidentiality contracts. We are also bound by the Texas State Open Meetings Act and we go into closed session when discussing individual clients.
"I already have a business, how can you help me?"
EF can assist an existing business if the owner/entrepreneur would like to expand their business and add on services. In addition, we can assist businesses that are struggling. In both instances we will help the entrepreneur assess their current Trinity of Management and help strengthen teams as needed.
"Has others in Levelland used WesTex Allied?"
WesTex Allied Communities Enterprise Facilitation Project is currently working with 40 entrepreneurs in the Levelland/Hockley County area. We have assisted with the opening of 6 business and the creation of 29 direct jobs with estimated sales of 2.4 million dollars and invested capital of $587K.
"Does WesTex Allied provide loans or grants for businesses?"
No, WesTex Allied Communities does not have any money to grant or loan to individual entrepreneurs. However, we will assist the entrepreneur in building a Trinity of Management and writing a business plan that can be presented to funders/lenders to finance a business.
"Do clients ask you where they should put their business?"
Yes, and I tell them it depends on the business. I then refer them to the appropriate person to assist them in choosing a location that is best-suited to their business idea.
"Do you help clients run their business after it is opened?"
No. We are here to assist the business before it opens by building a strong Trinity of Management team and writing a dynamic business plan. By the time they open the business, their Trinity of Management will be ready to run it.
"Do you help them after they open?"
EF is ALWAYS available to the entrepreneur at any time.
"Can your clients become part of the WesTex Allied Communities? "
YES! We encourage all of our clients, whether they open their business or not, to become board members and assist other entrepreneurs. They can also assist us by donating time and/or monies to the program. For more information on how you can make a difference visit our website at http://www.westexallied.org/
If you are a citizen of Hockley or Lamb counties and want to more about how WesTex Allied can help you with your business or idea contact Laura Hardin. Her contact information is below:
Laura Hardin
Master Facilitator
WesTex Allied Communities
408 E. 13th Street
Littlefield, Texas 79339 USA
Tel: 806.789.9651
Fax: 806.209.0188
email: mailto:laura@westexallied.org
http://www.westexallied.org/
Serving Lamb and Hockley Counties
In a unanimous vote at Monday night's city council meeting the Levelland City Council voted to create the Levelland TIF#2. This second Tax Increment Financing Zone will help fund the new Levelland Industrial Rail Park being spearheaded by the Levelland Economic Development Corporation.
Participating in the second TIF District for Levelland is the City of Levelland, Hockley County and the High Plains Underground Conservation District. All three of the taxing entities chose to support the Levelland Industrial Rail Park by electing to forgo the incremental growth in tax value created by new growth in the park in order to pay for the infrastructure needed to create new industrial growth.
The TIF#2 came about after the success of TIF#1 which was created to spur new housing development in Levelland. With over 19 houses being built in since the creation of TIF#1 the City of Levelland made the decision to spur industrial growth by partnering with the Levelland EDC to create the Levelland Industrial Rail Park, a 280 acre rail served industrial park with full city utilities.
The image below shows both TIF #1 and TIF #2.
In a letter to the Editor of the Levelland & Hockley County News-Press dated April 19, 2009 long time Levelland resident, Jim Cole urged the citizens of Hockley County to remember the vote that created South Plains College and forever changed the Levelland and Hockley County. He goes onto ask citizens to once again be Bold by voting yes to the Hockley County Multi-Purpose Event Center Bond election coming up in May and again help create a positive change for Levelland and Hockley County.
Below is a copy of the letter submitted to the editor of the Levelland & Hockley County News Press:
Dear Editor:
A few of us can remember that in the early 1950's Levelland, Brownfield and Littlefield were the same size in population Lamesa was larger than any of three. Of course, each community was the best according to their citizens.
In the mid-1950's a group of local business leaders came up with a BOLD IDEAL-a community or junior college for Levelland. In 1957, a junior college district was formed and South Plains Junior College was organized. Yes, the college was going to cost us tax dollars, but what bold ideal. South Plains College is the star in the crown for Levelland and Hockley County. Just look at our neighbors in Littlefield and Brownfield to see what this BOLD IDEAL did for Levelland.
Now, 50 years later, we have another group of business and community leaders with a BOLD IDEAL-a Multi-Purpose Event Center for Hockley County. Yes, it is a bold ideal that will cost us tax dollars, but it will make our county stronger in so many ways. Approval of the $15 million bond will provide a first-class event center-large enough to handle groups from throughout the region and state.
Vote yes on the Multi-Purpose Event Center-a bold ideal for the future of Hockley County.
Jim Cole
Levelland Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) launched its Levelland GoLIVE Radio Contest this week in partnership with the High Plains Radio Network and its KLVT 1230 am radio station to promote the LEDC's new Blog.
The contest is part of the Levelland EDC's effort to become more transparent in its approach to growing the Levelland economy by giving citizens the opportunity to read and post comments to stories appearing on the LEDC's new blog Progressive on Purpose: A Blog about Levelland, Texas.
In addition to stories about current events in Levelland, the Blog also features tips and advice for local businesses and entrepreneurs looking for help in growing their business in the Levelland community.
GoLIVE radio contest participants are simply asked to visit http://www.hprnetwork.com/ and click on the Levelland EDC GoLIVE logo for directions on entering the contest.
Participants can win weekly prizes of a $15 gift certificate to Noemi's (a local restaurant) or Doodle Bugs (a scrapbooking/baby gift retail store) and the monthly prize, a brand new Flip Ultra Series Video Camera.
The contest also promotes both Noemi's and Doodle Bugs, local businesses who used Enterprise Facilitation services. Enterprise Facilitation services are offered to local Levelland businesses and citizens who want to start their own business in Levelland.
The services are free and confidential and provided through the Levelland EDC's partnership with WesTex Allied Communities.