July 08, 2008 06:18 pm
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By David Wilfong
Herald-Banner Staff
In a speciall called meeting of the City Council last Tuesday, councilmembers approved a $250,000 incentive package to bring a specialized vocational school to Royse City.
Southeast Lineman Training Center is looking at the purchase of 82 acres north of Royse City’s industrial park for the purpose of creating a 15-week program that will train up to 600 new utility linemen a year.
According to Michael Denton, a real estate specialist representing the school, the current lineman population in the U.S. is roughly 250,00 with an average age of 48. Denton said that in a five-year span 80,000-90,000 will reach retirement.
The school has a current campus in Georgia that is at capacity and turning students away. He stated that the vocation is in high demand and that students generally have three to five high-paying offers when they graduate.
According to the proposed agreement, the school will voluntarily annex the 82-acre site into city limits and will construct classrooms and office space to a minimum value of $1 million. Instructor and staff payroll is also expected to be a minimum of $1 million.
Incentive grants include $100,000 to offset land purchase, $50,000 for construction, $50,000 at staffing completion and $50,00 when student enrollment reaches maximum.
The school is also looking at the possibility of purchasing either Royse City’s hotel or an apartment complex or building facilities for student housing. Denton said that renting rooms at the hotel could be a temporary solution.
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