PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
Jonathan Packer, President & CEO, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
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SUBJECT: Title
Discussion and possible action approving a resolution recommended by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation approving a project expenditure, of up to $3,800,000, to Alamo Colleges District - Northeast Lakeview College for a primary job training facility and career center, pursuant to Sections 501.101 and 501.105 of the Texas Local Government Code.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2 & 4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Alamo Colleges’ Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) has operated an extension location at the Central Texas Technology Center since the Fall 2023 semester. During this first semester, 125 students were enrolled in 10 courses. Significant enrollment growth has occurred and for the Spring 2025 semester, 400 students are enrolled in 25 courses. Since 2023, NLC has invested operationally by funding marketing, infrastructure, rebranding, and technology improvements; and with personnel investments by hiring a DPS Officer, Lab Technician, Academic Programs Specialist, College Services Coordinator, Faculty, Admin Support Specialists, Advisors, and a Director. Total NLC investments at the Central Texas Technology Center surpass $1M. The present location is at capacity and the educational and training needs of the community are still in high demand.
NLC has invested $13.6M to acquire a 58,000+ square foot commercial building at the corner of Old FM 306 and Sundance Parkway and anticipates opening for classes in the Fall of 2026. NLC also has the adjacent 2.2 acres under contract for future facility expansion. NLC’s plans are to expand course offerings and enrollment potential to include construction management, engineering technology, and logistics and supply chain management and to relocate the allied health, natural sciences, and information technology programs. To accommodate and prepare the space for all these eventual offerings, NLC will need to upgrade the facilities at an approximate cost of $8 million.
The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation approved a grant of $1,200,000 to help assist with the expansion project at its May 15, 2025 meeting. NLC has recently indicated that its design team recommends a single-phase comprehensive remodel. This approach offers significant economic savings and the strongest strategic advantage for its students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Benefits of a single-phase approach include cost efficiency, minimized disruptions, operational simplicity and accreditation alignment and an improved student experience and marketing clarity. The NBEDC received a presentation about this single-phase approach at its June 24, 2025 meeting, held a public hearing on July 17, 2025 and unanimously approved the project expenditure. Without the additional funding recommended in July, NLC will be required to minimize its academic and training offerings and delay the rollout of these programs until a date uncertain.
ISSUE:
Consideration of a funding request to aid the construction and expansion of Northeast Lakeview College in New Braunfels from their location at the Central Texas Technology Center to their newly purchased building on Old FM 306 and Sundance Parkway. Originally planned as a multi-phased approach, the project has since pivoted to be a single-phase to provide cost and operational benefits.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Graduates of the college programs are expected to earn a combined $48 million annually, averaging about $82,000 per worker across 589 direct jobs. These workers will support a broader economic impact of $281 million in total output, including 443 additional indirect and induced jobs. Total annual workers’ earnings are estimated at $68 million, and the total value added to the economy is $169 million.
The NBEDC has appropriate reserves to fund this project request. Any funding levels can be modeled to demonstrate the impacts to the NBEDC’s reserve levels and expense commitments.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the additional project expenditure to Northeast Lakeview College for the expansion and relocation project.