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Levelland council authorizes LEDC commitment to back South Plains College truck driving school
Summary
The Levelland City Council unanimously authorized the Levelland Economic Development Corporation to commit funds to support construction and/or operation of a truck driving school to be developed and run by South Plains College, citing multi‑year collaboration and an outstanding funding gap ahead of an EDA grant deadline.
The Levelland City Council on April 21 unanimously approved a motion authorizing the Levelland Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to finalize a financial commitment to assist South Plains College (SPC) with construction and/or operation of a truck driving school.
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Stueart moved the action and Council Member Bill Powell seconded. Stueart framed the motion as authorization “to finalize a financial commitment of the Levelland Economic Development Corporation to assist with the construction and/or operation of a truck driving school to be developed and operated by South Plains College,” and the motion carried unanimously.
Council members were presented with a multi‑year project history showing earlier SPC requests and rising cost estimates: an initial SPC request for a $121,000 match for an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant and donated land; early total cost estimates near $500,000 (2018–2019) that rose to over $900,000 (2020–2022); a November 18, 2024 SPC construction estimate of $2,150,745 (excluding classroom facilities); and an FY 2024–25 LEDC/Council approval of $950,000 to help close the funding gap.
Officials said SPC later provided a January 27, 2025 revised estimate of $3,331,765.98, prompting discussions about reducing classroom size and removing nonessential items to reach a target at or below $3 million to fit EDA grant parameters. The transcript records that SPC submitted a March 24, 2025 revised proposal estimating $3,020,250. The EDA advised prioritizing the truck driving school over a secondary law‑enforcement training facility and recommended submitting the grant application by April 2025; on April 7 SPC requested a letter of support confirming $1.5 million in unencumbered funds, which required Council approval.
The Council’s approval authorizes the Mayor or City Manager to take necessary steps to finalize the LEDC financial commitment; the minutes record the action as carried unanimously. With no public comments and no further business, the meeting adjourned. The minutes were signed by City Secretary Andréa Corley and Mayor Breann Buxkemper.
