A BIG Grant was given to Efrain Evitia for a bakery in the old The Door Church building on West Main. Brian Brisendine, Executive Director of BIDCorp state, “He met most all the criteria for the BIG Grant. His building is in the downtown area. It has been vacant for more than three years. There are cracks in the windows and the roof needs some work. Plus, he is a first time applicant. He scored a 22 on the BIG scale. Applicants must have a score of 20 or greater. This is a matching grant. We will match one half of what he spends on the building getting ready up to $10,000.”
Evitia stated, “I have been working with my brother for many years in his bakery. I have all the equipment. I just needed a place. I am excited to open a new business here.” The approval was unanimous.
Brisendine gave an update of Fermforge, who is the company planning to build a crushing facility in Brownfield in the area of Lepard Vineyards. They have purchased 40 acres. They had plans to be open before now, but COVID slowed their pace. “Italy was the first country to go on a complete shutdown and that is where there equipment was to come from. Their plans now are for a June opening, however, they must get the winery permit from the government. Representatives from the government agency stated that everything looks good and that don’t see any problem, but they will not issue the permit until the equipment is in place,” stated Brisendine. “The problem is that Fermforge will have a hard time contracting for grapes without the permit in hand.” Brisendine stated that various government officials had been contacted to try to remedy this situation. “We still have no doubt they will be here. They are invested and ready. They just have to work through this permitting issue. The equipment is now in this country.”
Brisendine gave an update on the downtown renovation and rejuvenation project. “We have architects looking at the buildings we have purchased and they have given us some artist’s renderings of possibilities. We are excited about this project and have some very interested parties waiting for us to get it rolling. It is going to look good. It will give our west entrance into town a much needed facelift.”
Brisendine also gave an update on the Bailey Tolliver RV project, just north of town on David Bailey and 62/82. “It is looking good. I talk to them regularly and they are planning an opening date very soon. There will be 180 campers on the lot and they will start taking delivery of these campers soon.”
The City will be connecting City sewer and water as the last contribution from BIDCorp on this project. The lines are already there from the connection to the Halliburton facility.
