CEIDC No-Shows Delay New Business AGAIN
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT – Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (CEIDC) held a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 1 to discuss and approve so-called “Project Atticus”, set to create 125 jobs over the next five years. For the second time, CEIDC board members Darrell Jones and NaTrenia Hicks failed to make the meeting, leaving the project in limbo.
The Messenger received the official letter of intent the city sent to company officials, along with the details of both requirements of the company to create a certain number of jobs each year, along with commitments to invest in infrastructure and other duties of the company. The city, according to the document, would provide certain tax incentives over the course of the agreement, tied to the company meeting its obligations.
Although The Messenger has been able to confirm the veracity of the document, further details will not be published at this time, in order to preserve the confidentiality of the agreement, in the hope some sort of deal can be reached, which in its current form, looks to make a significant impact on the local economy.
The Messenger can confirm the company is well-established and in operation in several cities, both in Texas and other states, provides extensive training for its employees, has a proven track record of supporting veterans and prides itself on operating in the United States, unlike many other companies in its industry.
Crockett City Council missed an initial meeting to keep the proposal going in early August, after Jones, Hicks and Councilman Elbert Johnson failed to attend the meeting. The project was approved for further negotiations at the next meeting, and was set for final approval at the Tuesday CEIDC meeting. Johnson was unable to attend the latest meeting, but joined by video conference to participate in the debate, before the meeting was canceled for lack of quorum.
Sources tell The Messenger although it is widely understood the project would create much-needed jobs, the friction possibly causing Jones and Hicks to skip the meeting may be caused by a rift between CEIDC Executive Director James Gentry and Crockett City Administrator John Angerstein. It has been reported Gentry’s supporters are reluctant to allow Angerstein to receive credit for the project, although the agreement appears to be a standard agreement, and similar to previous agreements approved by CEIDC.
Some were confused about holding a CEIDC meeting on a Tuesday at 2 p.m., and this may have caused the absence of Jones and Hicks. It was Jones and Hicks, it should be noted, who asked for CEIDC meetings to be held at Crockett Civic Center, separate from city council meetings.
The Messenger has asked city officials for clarification of both the purported leaked agreement – meant to only be seen by the CEIDC board in their closed executive session – and for an explanation for the repeated absence of some of the city council members.
One can only hope these internal problems will not be misinterpreted by officials from the company in question, taking it as a sign of a lack of commitment from the city towards the project.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
