The Odessa College Board of Trustees will consider a tax abatement agreement with Oberon Solar at its meeting set for 6:30 p.m. today (May 22) in the Zant Room on the second floor of the Saulsbury Campus Center, 201 W. University Blvd.
According to a previous Odessa American article, Oberon, one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels and solar cells in the country is looking at possibly building a solar project in Ector County — a potential $50 million investment.
The project, called Oberon Solar, would consist of a 50 megawatt solar power plant on unused land in western Ector County. Each megawatt would require around $1 million in capital investment. The company behind the project, 174 Power Global, is seeking tax abatements from various county entities.
Officials have already met with the Ector County Commissioners’ Court and the Ector County Independent School District Board of Trustees to discuss the project. The tax abatement Oberon is seeking means a break in their property taxes.
Odessa Chamber of Commerce Director of Economic Development Wesley Burnett, who spoke to county commissioners on behalf of 174 Power Global, said in a previous article that a typical tax abatement for a project like this would be an 80 percent tax break for 10 years.
Also on the agenda:
- A request for consent from the board of trustees to sell property for less than market value specified in the judgment of foreclosure and also less than the amount of judgment.
- Approval of a bid for Globe Theater lighting, sound system and acoustic upgrade.
- Recommendation for appointment of independent auditors.
- Reorganization of the board.
Informational items, among which are:
- A report on the Odessa College Foundation Student Success Scholarship Employee campaign.
- Education report: a financial aid update.
- Institutional effectiveness report.
- President’s report including the college’s May 12 graduation; the College2Career news conference May 3; a new men’s basketball coach being named; OC golf team update; OC rodeo team update; Options Gallery named; and the 2019 Aspen Top 10 announcement.
