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Council workshop hears request for $2 million ODC contribution to UTPB civil engineering program
Summary
Staff described a proposed $2 million request from UTPB and a larger $6 million program cost to launch a civil engineering bachelor’s program that would start with 10 students and scale over five years; staff and council discussed internships and workforce retention strategies.
City staff presented a proposed performance agreement in which the Odessa Development Corporation would consider contributing $2,000,000 toward a civil engineering baccalaureate program at the University of Texas Permian Basin.
Staff said UTPB intends to invest more than $6,000,000 to launch the program and expects an initial cohort of 10 students, with a goal to scale to roughly 50 graduates per year ultimately. The Midland Development Corporation was described as likely to contribute $2,000,000 as well, creating a cooperative funding approach among regional development corporations.
Council members asked about opportunities to link the program to city internships and workforce pipelines. Dr. Woodley (UTPB, present at the workshop) said the university already runs internship and career‑services efforts and would prioritize the city for civil engineering internships and career placements. Staff cautioned that writing mandatory internship requirements into a funding agreement could be legally or practically complex; councilmembers encouraged staff and the university to pursue internship coordination.
No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff said the item will be put on a future council agenda for consideration.
Clarifying details: staff reported the $2,000,000 request and the $6,000,000+ program cost; the program was described as a four‑year baccalaureate degree and expected to take years to reach full enrollment.
