Commissioners strike business agreements across trade sectors

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Court aims to keep young workforce in county

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The Hopkins County Commissioners Court discussed establishing relationships with several businesses at their regular Nov. 23 meeting, among other items of business. 

MY PERFECT PET

Sulphur Springs Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation executive director Roger Feagley appeared at the court on behalf of My Perfect Pet to petition for a Chapter 381 agreement. 

Feagley informed the court the San Diego company, which relocated to Sulphur Springs approximately a year ago, was requesting a 10-year agreement. 

“They make human-grade dog food,” Feagley noted. “If you go out to their place, you’ll find a whole lot of roasts, chicken, and lamb. It’s the stuff you buy that’s frozen in the freezer.”  

The USDA-approved facility is now in operation and looks to provide 30 new jobs, Feagley said. 

The court unanimously approved the request. 

D6

Feagley also appeared at the court on behalf of D6 to petition for a Chapter 381 agreement. 

Feagley informed the court the Portland company, which relocated to Sulphur Springs within the last few months, was requesting a 10-year agreement for the “Old Coca-Cola Building.” 

“They make aluminum pie pans and Danish trays, as well as the plastic to go over the items,” Feagley said. “They’re recycled products, so it’s recycled aluminum and plastic.” Feagley added the company also manufactured PPE plastic face shields. 

The company planned to add 25,000 square feet to their existing building, and was only requesting a 381 agreement for the added square footage, Feagley said. 

The company wishes to have 70 employees, but at this time is only seeking 30 due to COVID-19 restrictions, Feagley said. 

“They don’t want to over-promise and under-deliver, but in 18 months they want to expand the facility and bring in the full employees,” Feagley said. “They’re moving equipment in, but they’re not all the way there.” 

The court unanimously approved the request. 

BRIGHT ARROW SOLAR

Feagley presented a proposal for Bright Arrow Solar for a planned solar farm. The court opened the floor for citizen comments. No citizens presented themselves for comment.

The planned solar farm would be located off State Highway 11 West in Pct. 4, located across three separate properties for a total of 2600 acres, Feagley noted. The cost to establish the facility will top $275 million and take 18 months to construct Feagley said. 

During construction, the company estimates the creation of 300-350 part-time jobs. The company estimated the project would create two full-time jobs, with salaries estimated at approximately $45,958 annually. 

“It seems as if all the solar projects will start at the same time. How are you gonna create that labor force?” Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Price asked.

Feagley noted that while most planned Hopkins County solar farms are slated to begin within the next six to ten months, he believed they were staggered in start times. While the Pine Forest solar farm project could begin as early as next month, Feagley noted, the other three planned projects have projected start dates of mid-to-late 2021, he said. 

“I think the labor force on most of these projects is people coming in,” Feagley noted. “Hotels will be full, apartments will be full, and they’ll bring their travel trailers. They might even spill over into Greenville.” 

County Judge Robert Newsom also noted that Solemio Inc., which has a project in Pct. 1, was granted a postponement by the court due to COVID-19. 

Price also requested Feagley “get it in writing that they [Bright Arrow] not use the county roads” as he feared the heavy equipment would be detrimental to his precinct’s roadways. Feagley noted he would attempt to do so. 

Pct. 1 commissioner Mickey Barker, who also serves as a Hopkins County representative to the Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District (NETEX) instructed Feagley to communicate to Bright Arrow that they may need to contact NETEX about any infringements on NETEX right of way. 

EMPLOYMENT

While Newsom presented to the court that unemployment, at 4.8%, was down from 5.7% of the previous month, he was still concerned as unemployment for Hopkins in October 2019 held at 2.9%.

“About job openings and employers, I understand that our unemployment is the lowest in Northeast Texas, but there are a lot of jobs out there,” Newsom mused. 

“While I haven’t interviewed every business in town, but the ones I have talked with, they want hiring,” Feagley agreed. “They are manufacturing jobs, they are good-paying jobs… They have a hard time finding somebody. They’re disappointed in the numbers of applicants,” Feagley said. 

Companies Feagley mentioned included BEF, Morningstar, OceanSpray, My Perfect Pet, D6, welding positions, and more. 

“We want to let people know the jobs are out there, good jobs,” Newsom told the News-Telegram. “Families are better off when they have jobs and revenue to take care of their needs.” 

Furthermore, said Newsom, lowering unemployment helps buoy the community as a whole. 

“It’s actually an economic strategy that works, because one job for one person allows others to have jobs. Pretty soon, we’re working together and we’re raising the profile of our community,” Newsom noted. “A lot of communities don’t get these opportunities. I guess we’re just blessed that way. We want people, especially young people, to be able to work and stay here and have a solid job that could last them a lifetime.”