Lufkin breaks ground — sort of

The gold-plated shovels were lined up. The Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang was preparing barbecue. City and county dignitaries were chatting.

All the ingredients were there for a great groundbreaking Wednesday - except for the actual construction site.

Though the skies were blue, the groundbreaking for the new $8.5 million Lufkin Industries facility was moved nine miles away from its location in the Leeco Industrial Park because of concerns over the weather.

But dirt brought into the parking lot in front of Building A at Ector County Coliseum allowed groundbreakers to simulate digging at Lufkin's site between Interstate 20 and Business Interstate 20 east of Midland International Airport.

Lufkin is consolidating its Odessa and Midland operations into the new site, which it hopes to have running by the end of the year. Jay Glick, Lufkin chief executive officer, said the new facility would include oilfield service operations, technological and automation training and electronic cable manufacturing. Eventually, the facility will offer services for rebuilding wind turbine transmissions.

The site is located in Midland County on 770 acres the city of Odessa is in the process of annexing.

"It's great," Glick said. "We've had the support of the Odessa and Midland groups. Without that support we wouldn't have been able to make the progress we have."

The facility will include a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and a 10,000-square-foot technology and training center that will house the company's regional offices. Glick hopes the project will expand over time.

The Odessa Development Corp. awarded Lufkin a $1 million economic development grant in February in exchange for the company building the facility and creating at least 66 jobs.

Gary Vest, economic development director for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said, in addition to jobs, Lufkin will help the economy by offering 42 training sessions a year, which will bring customers in from around the world.

"These people coming in will fill our hotels and fill our restaurants," he said.

Larry Lee, developer of the industrial park, said he's had calls from other companies interested in moving into the area, but no commitments. But he figured the site of actual dirt moving should stir up interest.

"It's a great start for the Leeco Industrial Park," he said. "You can't get better than Lufkin."

Despite oil rising above $60 a barrel Wednesday, Glick said the company is being cautious.

"Compared to a year ago, we don't feel as good," he said. "Compared to six months ago, I feel the worst is behind us. But until people have confidence, it's going to be a very challenging time."

And even though they weren't there Wednesday, Glick said he's excited about the site the company will soon start construction on.

"We wanted to be on I-20, so we're delighted to be at that location," he said.