Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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- The Van Horn Economic Development Corporation board of directors met Tuesday afternoon and voted unanimously to proceed with the new proposed apartment complex here.
Before voting to proceed, directors heard from Executive Director Jeff McCoy and AdventGX’s president Jose Quintana.
Quintana has been diligently seeking outside investors to underwrite the project and has some tentative investors that he is talking with.
However, Quintana told the EDC directors that “the outside investor pool is not coming together as quickly as we had hoped. We do, however, believe the investors will get on board once the project is started and they can see how it is going.”
Quintana further stated, “Our projections are based on solid numbers and the complex will begin to make a profit almost immediately upon completion.”
Jeff McCoy told directors that “when you tasked us to begin looking at this project, time was of the essence and that time is getting more critical as each day goes by.”
McCoy reported that he had “spoken with the U.S. Border Patrol chief here and he reports at least 5 new agents will be arriving in Van Horn by the end of February.” And, he further stated, “And that does not take into account any apartments which Blue Origin has indicated that they will want.”
“We have a very real need for an apartment complex here and the need is getting more critical,” noted McCoy.
Armed with this information, EDC directors voted to underwrite the project as an EDC project. What that means is that the EDC will look to borrow the funds to get Phase I underway. That is approximately $700,000.
The EDC will act as the project developer and will ultimately hire a project manager who will oversee all phases of the construction with the EDC’s interests at heart.
It is anticipated that this project manager will use local contractors whereever possible.
EDC directors anticipate that it will take between 30-45 days to arrange for the construction financing. If that time frame holds, they hope to have construction underway within another 30 days.
In the meantime, Quintana will continue his search for investors to take over and finance the entire project to include Phase I, II, and III.
Douglas is Marfa Sector’s new Assistant Chief
MARFA, Texas – Chief Patrol Agent John J. Smietana, Jr. has appointed Michael E. Douglas, of Washington D.C., Assistant Chief Patrol Agent of the Marfa Sector.
“Mike brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our staff,” said Smietana. “His leadership capability will be a definite asset to our sector.”
Douglas joined the Border Patrol in 1988. His first duty station was Imperial Beach, CA. He became an Immigration Inspector in Nassau, The Bahamas, before being stationed with the Border Patrol in Douglas, AZ. In 1998, he became a supervisor in Laredo, TX. He transferred to Border Patrol Headquarters in Washington D.C. in 2004 as an Assistant Chief. Douglas arrived in Marfa this month.
“I grew up in a small town and I was looking forward to coming back to one,” said Douglas. “I like the small town atmosphere, getting involved and raising a family.”
Douglas grew up in Kentucky and he and his wife, Maria, have been married 23 years. They have three children. They are making their home in Alpine.