Charlie Minnick and Sam Toliver of Bailey Toliver had nothing but praise for the City of Brownfield, BIDCorp, and the Brownfield workforce in their report to BIDCorp on Monday, August 16.
Toliver stated, “Thank y’all for taking us with open arms. We have surpassed our 90 day expectations. This wouldn’t have happened without Brian (Brisendine, Executive Director of BIDCorp) and his aggressiveness. We are so grateful for all you all have done to help us get to Brownfield.”
Minnick echoed Toliver in saying, “Thanks for letting us do what we are doing. If it wasn’t for Brian, we wouldn’t be here. We promised 12 – 15 employees. I have good news. At this time we have 17 local people working for us out here. We have gotten some great people here locally that have helped us grow.”
The company has exceeded their sales projections and are seeing business from all over the area, as well as across the nation. Bailey Toliver has plans to go into Phase 2 and Phase 3 in the future, as the business grows.
Minnick stated, “We want to help you grow Brownfield. We want other businesses to come here and see what we have done. We will make calls. We will do whatever you need to get other businesses to come to Brownfield. This is a phenomenal place.”
Toliver stated, “That highway frontage is precious. We would love to have neighbors out there and if we can help you get them here, that is what we want to do.”
The company currently has about 75 units on the lot, but have plans to try to keep 150 in stock. They are also partnering with Winnebago to bring motor homes in, soon.
A Workforce Development Grant with Brownfield ISD and Lubbock Economic Development Alliance was approved in the amount of $10,000.
BISD Superintendent Chris Smith gave an overview of plans for the funds and what some of BISD’s vocational programs plans are. “We are going to be working hard to make our students marketable right out of high school. We have been working with various grants, such as this one, to improve and build our vocational programs.”
Smith stated that what has traditionally been wood working will be going in a more traditional trades direction. “We will be working on construction, sheetrock, tiling, plumbing, wiring. Just general building. What we hope to do is get our kids to build a house a year, as they learn a trade. We are hoping to use these houses for teacher housing on some land the school district already owns.”
The district plans to use the grant monies for a residential wiring simulator. “We are looking to do this for plumbing and other opportunities. Right now we have about 60 -70 students total that have gone through various levels. We know the construction industry is booming. We have agreements with professionals who will help grow this program.”
The simulator desired will not use all the funds of the grant, but the entire $10,000 was approved to help with the purchase of tools and other things needed to equip the vocational program area. This is the third year for BISD and BIDCorp and LEDA to partner on this grant.
Minnick stated, “The things you are talking about are very important to us at Bailey Toliver. We would like to visit with Mr. Smith and try to work on some ways to partner and work together in some of these areas. In the RV industry we use everything Chris talked about. This was music to my ears. We need to come up with a work program to help you. We do all the things you have talked about and we would love to be involved with the school system. We can bring in technicians in to help with training.”
Smith stated that BISD has definite plans to begin adult education in the vocational department in the very near future.
In the financial report, Brisendine stated there was a beginning balance of $1.1 million for July, and an ending balance of nearly $1.4 million. BIDCorp received $37,000 in income sales tax, and a $209, 000 payment from Bailey Toliver RV.
Early Trucking was paid two incentive checks which closed them out with BIDCorp. Early is doing well, according to Brisendine. “Struggling to find drivers, but doing well.”
The Yearly Sales Income Tax total thus far shows a $41,000 decrease from this time last year. Brisendine stated he was waiting on September payment to round out the year. “We still should be right around the $500,000 mark.”
The proposed 2022 budget was approved for the City Council’s budget.
There was discussion on the facade at the old Rialto Theatre. The board did approve the revamping of the lighting and neon on the Rialto marquee at the last meeting. Brisendine brought up a few more needed repairs to make that facade a showplace for the downtown area.
“I have been talking to a mural artist who will repaint the mural area with a brighter new mural. The cost for this, as well as painting the entire facade will be $20,000.” The board did approve this. Letters have also been purchased for use on the marquee, once it is repaired. Bids are now being taken for repairs on the roof. The $20,000 paint project was approved.
A bid from Eric Martinez for $10,000 was also approved to repair structural work on the marquee.
The work on the marquee, lighting, and the mural and other painting could be done by the end of September.
Brisendine stated that what they are looking at is completely redoing the inside area and leveling the floor out. “My vision would be to see this turned into a top of the line events center. Chandeliers, tin ceilings, whatever it takes to make it a really nice place where people will want to hold events.”
Board member Dan Jackson stated, “I think this is going to be great. It will be so eye catching. Anything that will make people stop and want to walk around. People have done such a good job of fixing up the buildings downtown. It just looks great. I think this is a great idea.”
Some discussion also took place on the possibility of pursuing some legal way of funding 4B projects, as a 4A organization. Brisendine and City Attorney Matt Wade are looking into how this would work. This would be something to look at down the road. BIDCorp is currently classified as a 4A organization.
