Sandy Creek power plant brings economic benefit to Riesel, McLennan County
By Bill Teeter Tribune-Herald staff writer
In tough economic times, the Sandy Creek power station project is a huge plus for McLennan County and especially its host city Riesel, officials say.
Work on the plant will help the county position itself for more building once the economic recovery solidifies, said Scott Connell, senior vice president for strategic development with the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.
With the project, skilled workers and construction-contracting companies, many from Central Texas, are better able to stay in business in the area, so it helps keep construction capacity from atrophying, Connell said.
Students leave Riesel High School after classes Friday. Property tax money from the power plant could mean the district can replace outdated facilities.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald
“As we go through this period it is important that we have a viable construction business and keep skilled workers in the area so we can be ready for projects to occur,” he said.
At 1,100 workers, the project is at peak employment and 50 percent complete, said Mike Vogt, vice president for LS Power, which owns 64 percent of the project. LS, the Brazos Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority are partners in the coal-fired plant meant to boost electric-generating capacity in Texas.
The main construction contractor on the project estimates that about 15 percent of its construction workforce is from McLennan County, Vogt said. About 40 percent of the other contractors and subcontractors are from McLennan and nearby counties, he said. A detailed breakdown of the numbers was not available.
The number of workers will decline as the plant nears its expected 2012 completion date. About 100 people will run the station once it is operational, he said.
The plant will add between $600 million to $1 billion in taxable property value once it’s completed, McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis said. The extra tax base will help keep the pressure off homeowners and businesses by helping to hold down the tax rate, he said. How much of an effect will not be known until the plant is completed, Lewis said.
The tiny Riesel Independent School District will see a boost to its interest and sinking fund, the part of its budget from which it pays debt on facilities, Superintendent Steve Clugston said.
The cash will mean the district, which has about 600 students, can start planning to build a new secondary school to replace a building built in the 1950s.
The city of Riesel has also seen a cash benefit, with a July sales-tax rebate from the state climbing 504 percent from July 2008 to July 2009. The city’s sales tax take had gone from $7,851 to $47,452 for the month.
Online reports from the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts shows gross sales in Riesel businesses had gone from $12.1 million in 2006 to $258.6 million in only the first two quarters of 2009.
bteeter@wacotrib.com
757-5734
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I have to disagree with the concept that the company hired locals. My husband is a welder that worked on the power plant in Rockdale. He thought he would be able to get on at Riesel since it's only 15 minutes from our house. He made numerous attempts, applied many times, even had a supervisor recommned him, only to be told they weren't hiring. He was finally told the company was bringing in their people and maybe after that, they would contact him. Never happened.
btteeter@wacotrib.com needs to do another story on this, the one the politicians do not want you to hear about the poopy water the city is selling them and making aton of money on
btteeter@wacotrib.com needs to do another story on this, the one the politicians do not want you to hear about the poopy water the city is selling them and making aton of money on
Oh I wish this could be in Jim Lewis back yard and wendal Crunk and ray Meadows, They voted to give these clowns a 15 year tax free zone. Only in waco and Mclennan County would we do this.Just how backwards are we>?
Hey Another Concerned Citizen, no need for me to do any homework on anything concerning Riesel,Tx. I only slow down to the speed limit and keep on rolling through. I make sure to watch out for that cop sitting in his cop car underneath that tree though.
all we heard for the last 6 years here in Riesel from our leaders was how this plant would provide jobs to local people.Mr.voight you have been a scam artist from the beginning.Amazingly, you do not have a breakdown of how many riesel residents are working there,nor how may local contractors do work there.There was promises of lower electric rates,lower taxes,lower everthing.We have the some of the highest gasoline prices in this area.one thing is certain to come.class action suits by residents living in this area affected by the pollution from this old fashion,coal burning,illegal plant that is the waco chamber of commerce,the city of waco ,and mclennan county's cash cow.
Well, the powwer plant benfited a few polititians who won't be around when the heavy metal readings are published ten years from now. Of course there is never a power plant that injured anyone, it is the electricity. A coal fired plant is a polluter, maybe a lower level but slow but death has only one level.
To MVP, Ha Ha very funny. In answer to your question yes the officers do carry weapons and before you ask they are trained to use them when neccessary. In case you forgot Riesel was against the coal plant. And as far as that goes there are two energy plants within a few miles of each other both located near towns. Before you make snide remarks you need to do your homework.
To MVP, Ha Ha very funny. In answer to your question yes the officers do carry weapons and before you ask they are trained to use them when neccessary. In case you forgot Riesel was against the coal plant. And as far as that goes there are two energy plants within a few miles of each other both located near towns. Before you make snide remarks you need to do your homework.
your all ignorant
Chernobyl was a nuclear plant... and Soviet. You Waco people never cease to amaze me... Sergei Diablo wrote: "The people of Chernobyl were happy to have steady jobs, too."
Is Riesel gonna hire a couple of more police officers? Don't they only have two working the whole town? I wonder if they carry guns. Are they expecting the population to grow 10 fold? I hope they're not expecting that.
The people of Chernobyl were happy to have steady jobs, too.
It seems like this is a one sided article and doesn't discuss the possible negatives. This is something that will impact the area in a big way, not just adding 100 jobs once it's open. It would be good to get the whole story.
It seems like this is a one sided article and doesn't discuss the possible negatives. This is something that will impact the area in a big way, not just adding 100 jobs once it's open. It would be good to get the whole story.
Stay out of Woodway. We don't like power companies. We like our trees and will hold a press conference if anyone tries to trim them. Woodway power tripper over and out.
Only 15% workers from Mclennan County? No wonder we have Rv park after Rv park. No one wins in this except Brazos Electric and Jim Lewis. We all will have to put with Mercury and smut and pollution for ever. Thank you Jim Lewis Wendall Crunk and Ray Meadows for giving this boondogle a 15 year tax free zone. Riesel Supertindent acts like he is Santa Claus with all the money. Does health matter?
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