ROBERTS: LATEST VALMONT PHASE-IN JUDGED ON OWN MERITS
Some questions have arisen over a tax phase-in request granted by the Brenham City Council to Valmont Coatings.
At their meeting Tuesday, the council approved a tax phase-in agreement with Valmont, as they move forward with plans to locate a galvanizing plant in Brenham to serve the local Valmont Structures facility as well as other metal-based businesses in the region.
Valmont officials say the move would help them invest in equipment and jobs to help offset initial costs of locating the expansion project to Brenham.
The city granted a similar phase-in agreement to Valmont last year, which the company later turned down, then in May the complany laid off 160 workers – 40-percent of their workforce.
Brenham City Manager Terry Roberts says this is a separate phase-in and is not connected to last year’s request…
According to Valmont officials, 40 jobs would be added in the first year; 71 by year two; and, 101 jobs by the fifth year of the project.
Roberts says this project is being judged on its own merits…
Officials with the city and with the Brenham Economic Development Foundation say Valmont has not indicated whether laid-off workers will be given priority in regards to the new positions.
I agree with Citizen, I do not think this process was researched very
well. I understand there were some individuals from the City that went to
tour the Valley, Nebraska facility, and there is a reason that it is in a
very small community that is 15 miles from another town. Let me ask the
question “Did they know your were coming”? Answer yes. I have toured
a galvanizing facility and there are reasons why the workers have to
wear masks, because they are dipping these structures in acidic solutions
and zinc. Not a very healthy situation for the retirement community right
next door, or for LaRoche or Brenham residents when the south wind blows
because you can definitely smell it in the air. I understand the City and
the EDF wanting to rebuild this community after 2015, but these jobs you
are bringing to town are very low wage positions with a high turnover rate
and the 100 positions estimate is extremely optimistic. Valmont is a very
strong, global company that brings the world a lot of good products, but
they are taking advantage of Brenham in this situation. I feel that this is a bad
decision for Brenham as a whole.
Have city management and all council members actually studied about the galvanizing process and how it effects air, water and soil? If you are reading this citizen, then do some research on this process please. How will city management assure citizens that Valmont adheres strictly to EPA regulations in the entire galvanizing process? This industry operates mostly in econmically challenged southern states where employment trumps public health.