This month, the LEDC will embark on spending ANOTHER $2.7 million on the train wreck known as the Business Pork project. Supposedly, THAT will finally make the project “super duper shovel ready” starting in May 2023 – a mere 19 years after purchasing the property.
Here are some predictions from the wizards in charge of the Lampasas Economic Development Corp and City council from almost exactly five and seven years ago. These are all predictions about the Business Pork project after they spent millions of dollars – all taken from the local newspaper The Lampasas Dispatch Record:
“Ms. Toups said she wants to continue to provide infrastructure to develop the business park — which she said Harrison spoke against publicly. Ms. Toups said through the Lampasas Economic Development Corp.’s hard work, “we are on the verge of seeing large corporations come in [to the business park].” – April 21, 2017
[On the verge? BAHAHAHAHA!]
“DeGraffenried said the LEDC was bold in its decisions to purchase the business park property and extend utilities to it. The city manager predicted Lampasas will enjoy many “spin-off benefits” throughout the city because of the utility work. ” – Oct 23, 2015
[Spin-off benefits = new fishing boat for Pope Eckermann]
“Recent land clearing and development of a road at the business park, Mrs. Masonheimer added, have made the site more attractive to prospective businesses and U.S. 183 passersby.” – Oct 23, 2015 [Masonheimer was Mandy Walsh’s predecessor]
[So attractive that it sits empty seven years later!]
“An economic study in 2001, [Neal] Leavell said, concluded a business park was the main item Lampasas needed to attract development.” – Oct 23, 2015
[The 2001 “study” was clearly wrong!]
“We look forward to working with you and working to fill this business park with good jobs,” she said [Carol Faulkenberry, Texas Dept Agriculture] – Oct 23, 2015
[Fill? There still isn’t ONE job…unless you count the small fortune Pope Eckermann has made off of these clowns]
“Mrs. [TJ] Monroenoted the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. is working with the business park south of town on U.S. Highway 183, and she said she hopes the site will attract good employers to Lampasas. [Council member TJ Monroe] – April 14, 2015
[No employers attracted yet – but one murderer was attracted enough to dump a corpse there!]
“The incumbent said the city acquired the business park property several years ago but has lacked the infrastructure needed at the site. Soon, she said, the business park will be developed enough to be inviting to businesses. [Then-council-member Wanda Bierschwale] – April 10, 2015
[“Soon”? LOL!!]
“I feel like we’re getting somewhere,” board president Dr. Neal Leavell added. “I think we’ve really accomplished something. It’s taken a lot of patience, but we’re here.” – September 23, 2014
[Leavell STILL sits on the LEDC board]
“Economic development officials have said utilities for the business park are essential to make the 165-acre area attractive to companies.” – July 22, 2014
The LEDC was “proactive,” deGraffenried said, in acquiring the U.S. 183 property several years ago for a business park. The goal of utility extensions, the city manager said, is to develop the land into a site that can promote economic growth. – June 17, 2014
[Eight years later? Zero economic growth or tenants]
Here is the final side-splitter – September 23, 2014:
“The LEDC’s new debt service payment will be about $150,000 a year, Mrs. Masonheimer said. The economic development corporation projects annual revenue of about $250,000, which will leave approximately $100,000 for operating costs after making loan payments.”
[Actual annual revenue 8 years later? Zero dollars!]