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: 3/2 large brick home, with large shop on 1 ac corner lot. $259,900. See pics @ or 576-4069.
HALLETTSVILLE – Plans are on the drawing board and dirt is being turned on several projects in and around Hallettsville. From business expansions to new construction, jobs will follow the growth.
Hallettsville city administrator Tom Donnelly recently discussed some of what is happening in the area.
Q:A major business just outside of town has an expansion project under way. Can you tell me about that?
A: Morgan Buildings and Spas is adding a new building. The main building is 100 by 480 feet, and there is another part that is 60 by 240 feet. So that’s a big building. You’d have to talk to them a little more for specifics, but it will help them be more efficient in their production and allows them to build more varied products. They build classrooms, portable offices, spas, and more. They are also adding 38 jobs. That’s part of their contract with the state under the Texas Capital Fund Grant.
Q: I also understand there’s a new motel coming in, too. When is that project expected to be finished?
A: The architect is in touch with us, and we should have preliminary plans sometime in the not too distant future. They are getting everything worked out. The design we have seen looks real good. It will be located on U.S. Highway 77 North, across from the Texas Dow Employee Credit Union. It will be 40 units with a meeting room and some suites.
Q: Why is Hallettsville attractive to new motel owners, when there are several new ones along U.S. Highway 77?
A: We had inquires from three or four who wanted to build motels. He was the first to get in and bought property. Apparently they’ve all done their research and studies. I don’t know if it’s the increase in oil and gas activity right now. The new expo center has helped. The Knights of Columbus Hall is also a good meeting facility. I’m pleased with the interest. I think it’s great.
Q: And there is another major construction project, too, right?
A: Yes, a 40-unit assisted living and independent living center is being built on U.S. Highway 77 next to the golf course.
Q: Has the city had to do any major infrastructure work to prepare for any of this new construction?
A: The mayor and city council have done a very good job of getting the water system re-done, getting the water pressure up. The water and sewer are there for the new motel; we’ll have to extend a little bit, but not very much. For the retirement center, we had to run an additional sewer line. It’s being run right now.
Q: There are also some plans on the table at the airport, correct?
A: We’re waiting on our surveyor so we can submit plans to (Texas Department of Transportation) Aviation and the FAA. There will be a total of seven T-hangars and one 70 by 70 building, a big hangar. The T-hangars will be built first. That’s being built in cooperation with our Hallettsville 4A Economic Development Corporation. They are the ones doing the building. They have found there is a need. How many will be leased right away, I don’t know, but we do have a waiting list.
Q: You mentioned the economic development corporation. Who else is involved in helping attract businesses to Hallettsville?
A: One thing we don’t discuss much is a private corporation, the Hallettsville Industrial Corporation. They are the ones who many years ago brought Morgan Buildings, Better Beverages, Fairwest Trailers, among others, here. They are studying the possibility of adding another building to the industrial park. They are an active group. They help out quite a bit. The Hallettsville Industrial Corporation has been and continues to be very good for the city of Hallettsville.
Q: What else is going on in Hallettsville?
A: The Knights of Columbus are adding a permanent RV park. It will be an improved park with laundry facilities and showers, an actual RV park for winter Texans. And with the events they have out there – Fiddlers Frolics, Kolache Fest, Polka Fest – apparently they’ve had enough people say they’d like to stay all winter long. The expo center is also adding RV spaces for their events. That will help them attract bigger roping events and bigger cutting horse events.
What’s a ranging reporter? These reporters go out into the community, regularly filing live reports, photos and video from around the Crossroads region. To contact Sonny Long, e-mail slong@vicad.com or just add a comment to this story.