LEDA Approves Job, Capital Incentives to Two Local Companies.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Story last updated at 5/19/2009 - 2:11 am

The Lubbock Economic Development Alliance approved job and capital investment incentives Monday involving two Lubbock companies, which are expected to create dozens of new jobs.

The city-appointed economic development corporation signed off on:

• A $70,500 package involving CEV Multimedia Inc., which is expected to create 22 jobs over the next five years.

• A $35,500 package involving WesTex Document Inc., which is expected to create 11 jobs.

"There are a lot of communities across the nation that are losing jobs, but we're creating them. (Job) retention is as important as anything we do," said Gary Lawrence, LEDA's CEO.

CEV, which specializes in multimedia education materials, contracts with 10 states to supply school districts with courses related to agricultural science and technology, family and consumer sciences, trade and industry, business and marketing and career education.

"We have to increase our sales force. We're adding four more state (contracts), so we'll need to support all that," said Jeff Lansdell, president of the 1020 S.E. Loop 289 company.

Lansdell said CEV also plans expand its presence on the Internet. "We'll need more people to produce curriculum, and we'll have to add IT (Internet technology personnel) when we get ready to deliver (curriculum) online."

In addition to new hires, CEV plans to invest $2.2 million as part of a headquarters expansion.

CEV's annual payroll is expected to grow by an estimated $780,000.

WesTex Document is planning an expansion into Amarillo and will also need more sales representatives among other personnel.

John Miller, company president, said the Reese Technology Center business is in a growth mode, largely as a result of other companies seeking out its record destruction and data storage services.

"I started this company in 1997 with three employees. Now we have 35 or 36," he said. "It's the faith of the Lubbock business community that's allowed me to grow my business."

The office records management company, which does business throughout West Texas and eastern New Mexico, is expected to grow its payroll by $400,000.

It's also investing $600,000 in new machinery, equipment and supplies, some of which it has already purchased.

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