Workforce committee

Once again, the Odessa Development Corp. is expected to consider appointing a workforce recruitment committee at a meeting today.

The board has considered the committee for several months. At the meeting, which starts at 2 p.m. in Odessa City Hall's third floor conference room, it "may establish the committee by appointing a chairperson and several other members," according to an agenda.

The board will hear several economic agency reports, including the Economic Development Department.

Among the items expected to be discussed by Gary Vest, economic development director for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, is Project Pronghorn, a railcar repair operation that will create 75 jobs with capital investment of $20 million to $40 million in construction and $4 million in machinery and equipment.

Like Project Pronghorn, Odessa is being considered for Project Jersey, a textile manufacturing facility that will create 285 jobs over a three-year period. It has capital investment of up to $115 million.

Other agencies reporting include the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Small Business Development Center.