PRESENTER: Presenter
Jonathan Packer, CEO, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
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SUBJECT: Title
Public hearing, discussion, and possible action approving an additional 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 - with benefits Citywide
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 doors 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 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 unanimously 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.
If approved, New Braunfels City Council will consider action at its July 28, 2025 meeting.
ISSUE:
NLC at New Braunfels is planning an expansion and relocation from the Central Texas Technology Center. Funding is being requested to help support this transition as a single-phased approach.
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.